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My Parked Car Was Hit and the Driver Left a Note With His Name and Phone Number. What Do I Do Now?
December 5, 2020
Stay Calm and Work Through these Suggestions
Before you report this claim to your insurance company, try the following:
However, if things start to go south with the other party, don’t wait long to report the claim to your insurance carrier.
- Take a picture of the scene and a close up of your damage. If there are other cars parked around yours make sure the photo captures the other vehicles as well.
- Stop by the Auto Body Shop of your choice and ask them to provide you with a cost of repairs estimate.
- Their estimate provides you with what a reasonable settlement with the other insurance company or the other party will look like.
- Inquire about the current deductible for your Collision coverage (assuming you have Collision Insurance)
- If the amount of the estimate is close to your deductible amount:
- The other party left you a note with a name and phone number. That's a good sign they are willing to make things right.
- You are much better off to initially seek payment from the other party or their insurance.
- The fact that this is a not-at-fault accident does not guarantee your rates won’t be affected. Many auto insurance rating plans will look at claims frequency regardless of fault.
- Even if the party that struck your vehicle is willing to take responsibility for the loss, you should personally obtain their insurance company, policy number and agency/company contact information.
- If they choose to pay personally accept only cash payment. If they hedge, you still have their insurance information to seek payment from their carrier.
- If the amount is significantly greater than your deductible:
- You should still pursue this with the other party's insurance company. You were parked and the vehicle was unattended. There will not be a question of fault.
- If the claims process with the other party goes awry, you can change gears and place a claim under your collision coverage.
However, if things start to go south with the other party, don’t wait long to report the claim to your insurance carrier.
This article may have been originally published at Quora.com.
To see Jeff's Quora.com profile click here.
“Am I covered if I drive someone else’s car?” Or, “Am I covered if someone else drives mine?”
Many don’t realize that the insurance industry is one of the country's most regulated business segments, especially in New York State. The New York State Department of Financial Services (NYS DFS) wields significant control over the insurance business and has a stated goal of protecting consumers.
Most property insurance companies offer Actual Cash Value or Replacement Cost settlement options. Typically, insurance companies will require that you insure the property to the settlement value you choose. If you select Actual Cash Value, the amount you may be required to insure the property for will be less than the corresponding Replacement Value.
In that spirit, the Ryan Agency is sponsoring a Stearns BBQ Dinner pickup at our office on 57 Broadway Mall in Hornell on September 12th from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM.
Today, an individual’s credit history can play a more significant role than any one of those traditional factors. Good Credit Scores lead to a Positive Insurance score. A good Insurance Score greatly influences what someone will pay to insure their vehicles.
Insurance companies offer various discounts for which their policyholders may qualify.
Great Eight number Six (6) suggests taking a look at removing Comprehensive and Collision on Older Vehicles.
By reducing the number of claims in your insurance history, you can significantly affect your rates in the future.
Sometimes, this concept meets with resistance from policyholders. The thought of paying more in the event of a claim is off-putting to some. Even if that means I pay more for my insurance.
OK. Admittedly, this strategy doesn't benefit everyone, but it can be very beneficial for those it does. You may have unique home or auto insurance needs that prevent you from bundling with the same company. Alternatively… you might have a better rate without the bundle discount by splitting up your insurance between multiple carriers.
