I'm sorry, but I didn't hit that person who stopped dead in front of me today with no left signal.

If I had I would have made it right.

Insurance companies and state laws have formulas to determine fault. You back out and get tagged, you're it. You back end a car, it's your fault. Sorry little girl, you screwed up. File a report and a claim, and stop screwing around. She might hurt the next person she hits if she doesn't wake up.

this is WHY you have insurance isnt it?

Good luck collecting from her; just because she say's she'll pay, try getting the money.

You pay for Insurance...you file the claim...Too many maybes any other way...

I've been there, done that with someone who begged me to let them pay for the damage. Problem comes later when i) they disappear and you can't track them down, ii) the info they gave you is bogus and/or iii) you have waited too long to report the accident and your insurer will not accept a claim.

File your accident claim. You can always drop it up to the point when your insurer has paid out. That is your leverage. If she makes good on your repair you drop your claim, if not... your insurer will pay you out and go after her.

I had a fender bender in a parking lot and though we were both at fault (we backed into each other), the other driver kept insisting I give her a few hundred and not involve the insurance companies. I said the exact same thing "This is why I have insurance. You want money for this - contact them."

Some insurance companies (with the word "state" in the name) have been rumored to drop customers for a single claim....
But people continue to contract with them.

Deductibles are expensive for a reason.

Hope you have an accident report.
Send her pics and a registered letter for your cost and payment schedule.
Then small claims court, if necessary.

She lost her car. You lost your bumper only, hopefully.
Bumper is $300. Chevy Silverado 2500 HD Bumper - Free Shipping - Replacement, Bolton Premiere, Warn

I'm in the insurance business. This is fairly accurate and sound advice except it is not "insurance fraud". But they carrier can deny you coverage for damage for failure to notify them propmtly of the accident. When you sign the contratc it states that you assign your rights to them and that you WILL notify them of any incident that may cause a claim promptly. The reason is if there is any liability on your part they want the information while it is fresh. As time goes by stories change. As several have said above. So the quicker they get the information better their position is and they can attempt to settle the claim quickly. This saves them money and that is what it is all about.

This would send up red flags to me also. A fender bender or swap a little paint is one thing. But when one vehicle is unable to leave the scene with out the help of a tow truck that is a pretty significant accident. No doubt if this car was as bad as it sounds the police were involved and a report was filed with the DMV. In NJ an accident like this automatically ends up on both drivers records. The report only states "reportable accident". It doesnt state who is at fault. When it is time to renew your insurance both parties got some splainin to do. An at fault accident in NJ translates to $800- $1,000.00 increase in premium for 3 years. Unless you can prove you were not at fault. All the more reason to reprort the accident promptly. In Freds case this charge will get assigned to Freds dad as the driver at the time of the accident not to Fred as the owner of the vehicle.

If the other driver does not have insurance then coverage falls under Uninsured/underinsured motorist and is not chargable to Fred.

and it goes on depending on what arrises but that's the basics.

Again this is NJ not PA.

Drcoastline,

Damn, I missed that in the paperwork that they give you. Talk about putting our nuts in a vice.

Zeke,

Based upon this I have to say that my suggestion to entertain or consider working it outside the system, is as you say not sound. With the above, the risk of working it outside the system clearly would outweigh any potential downside of increased premiums by reporting it even though one is not at fault.

+1 on that! I let a guy slide once back in the 70's who hit me in a parking lot. I told him I would do the repair on my car myself as I was working in a body shop at the time. He had been drinking and was sure to get a DUI. When it came time to pay I contacted him and he said he didn't know what I was talking about. He said he never saw me in his life. So I left and came back a few months later with a bat and broke every frikkin' window out of his car for him. Lesson learned on both sides there.

She pays or her insurance pays. if not, then your insurance pays. (this isn't a complicated situation)

I mean, primarily SHE is responsible. If SHE decides to be irresponsible THEN respond accordingly.

All of this "teach her a lesson.." :confused: ...as if she didn't notice her totalled car?

Most people mis that clause or don't understand. That clause is in all Property/Caulaty policies.

All this talk of claims, insurance, etc. aside...is she hot?

And "Pics or it didn't happen"

Thanks for the correction.

I decided to just turn it in. As much as I like to cut people some slack, this is my nice truck, I take good care of it, and I would like to keep it nice. I keep full coverage on it for just this reason, should I ever smack a deer, or something along those lines.
The damage really is minimal, hole, and dent in reynolds wrap bumper. Plastic bumper trim is all gouged up , and scratched, and the trailer hitch harness connector got smacked , and knocked out of its bracket, and damaged, along with the bracket. As far as I can see, no frame, or other structural damage.
I did not get to see her, but from my dads description , not hot.