No-Fault Insurance, Just Got Hit

[Brozoar]

Hey, I'll get right to the skinny; I'm looking for advice.

My 944 was parked (legally) in the street, and just got rear-ended by the neighbor's truck. Sadly, all I can afford is no-fault insurance, so that's what I've got.

I don't have enough experience with accidents to know just what to do. I agreed not to report it to the police, the neighbor gave me her insurance and contact info, I gave them my contact info and the make and VIN of my car, and they said they would call their insurance tomorrow to see what their deductible is and whether it'd be cheaper to get insurance involved or to pay out of pocket.

So what do I do? My plan was to wait until tomorrow to hear back, and it seems like they're being cooperative. But while I was obviously not at-fault, should I get the police involved to make sure I'm on-record as not at-fault? If I do report it, she might receive a ticket and be less cooperative... But could I wait to report it until tomorrow, after I hear back?

Help?

[Jrboulder]

Sorry to hear that

It really depends on how bad it is. If it's a crumpled bumper shock make them pony up the bucks for a new one and buy a used one and pocket the difference. If it's now undrivable or not useable then it's a lot more serious. If they don't know what their deductible is then they are effing stupid. If they do go the insurance route they will probably say it's not the fault of their driver and tell you to go fuch yourself. If they decide to go the insurance route I would get them ticketed.

You only paid 2k for this rig so keep that in mind.

YMMV

[Brozoar]

"Go fuch yourself". Nice.

It's drivable; the driver's side tail light is smashed out, and there's some crumple at the base of where it mounts to the body, but I think she was driving a Land Rover, so the damages aren't any lower or higher than that.

Would you happen to know how long I can wait to file a police report on something like that? I'd rather wait till the last possible minute so I can ascertain whether or not they're going to be c*******s about it before I get her a ticket. She did give me her insurance provider, her agent's name, her VIN, etc. so like I said, they seem to be cooperating.

[Pete R]

Different states have different laws. You usually only have so many days to report an accident. I would find out how long that is.(call the police dept. There weren't any injuries they won't freak out) I would also get an estimate. I would tell them it has to be resolved before your report time runs out. If they don't repsolve it I would report it and chase their insurance company. Ultimately they are responsible and will have to pay one way or the other.

[Brozoar]

Alright, thanks for the advice. I read up and usually I think it's 30-60 days depending on the insurance carrier. The neighbor's husband just called though and asked me to get an estimate or two, so I don't think I have to worry about them being cooperative, thankfully.

If anyone has some tail light assemblies they're looking to unload, here's a buyer. My poor baby girl!

[mikepellegrini]

Everytime I've been a good guy - been compassionate and not called the cops, I've gotten screwed. Every time.

The problem, is that if you don't file a report with the police, you lose the only real leverage you have over the people that hit your car - most states require owners to be financially responsible for damage they cause. If a person fails to pay (or has no insurance) the state yanks their license. And that is great leverage.

Twice I was a "good guy" and got screwed both times - I never got paid a cent. I kept getting a lot of great rhetoric at first, then as soon as the deadline for filing a report with the police had past, they just blew me off. Kept asking for a new estimate - "That one's kinda high. I don't have hardly any cash right now. How about I just give you $200 and we'll call it good? Maybe next month I can come up with some more..."

I doubt seriously that they can file an insurance claim without filing a police report. One of the first things the insurance people ask for is a police report. And the guy doesn't know how much his deductable is? Aw, c'mom... That suggests they're BSing you right off the top. He's not even thinking of turning it in. Even if he actually has insurance.

In Washington state, you have 48 hours to report an accident. I suspect most states are that way.

I would file a report ASAP. Protect yourself.

As an aside, I just got rear-ended in my 83 and had the sort of damage you described. The left tail light was broken and the metal below the light was smusched (just above the bumper, it was pushed in.) $2,200, and that's with me supplying a new tail light and rear clip.

The remedy for bent metal above the bumper is to cut and fit a new section of sheet metal. You cut out the panel along the spot welds at the left and right of the hatch, and then below the spare tire carrier (below the level of the bumper). Then you weld the new piece in.

[jeffrsmith]

Originally Posted by mikepellegrini

Everytime I've been a good guy - been compassionate and not called the cops, I've gotten screwed. Every time.

^Isn't that the truth. Been there done that. In CT you have to call the police and report any accident that involves ANY damage whatsoever.

I had a buddy who backed into the bumper of another car in parking lot, he left a note for the owner - there was no damage. A good Samaritan called the police - the police came a knockin later that day and wrote him a ticket for leaving the scene.

[GreenWater]

In CA. if the damage is over $500 you are not suppose to move the cars and call the police right away.(I believe that is the law.) They will get a ticket if you call the police? Why? I would call the police to get a report made. What is no-fault insurance? We don't have that. Does it cover hit and run or someone that is uninsured? If you file a police report and then they don't want to pay you, can't you just tell your insurance company and they will fix your car and go after the other guys insurance. You shouldn't have to deal with it.

[mikepellegrini]

Originally Posted by GreenWater

In CA. if the damage is over $500 you are not suppose to move the cars and call the police right away.(I believe that is the law.) They will get a ticket if you call the police? Why? I would call the police to get a report made. What is no-fault insurance? We don't have that. Does it cover hit and run or someone that is uninsured? If you file a police report and then they don't want to pay you, can't you just tell your insurance company and they will fix your car and go after the other guys insurance. You shouldn't have to deal with it.

+1 - Yeah, just tell your insurance and they will fight it out for you with the other guy's carrier. But you need to file a police report ASAP.

[C ANDERSON]

In a no fault State each persons Insurance pays for thier on car. not the other persons. Keeps the law suits down and Insurance companys from playing the blame game and worring over who is at fault.

[Brozoar]

Yes, Michigan insurance laws are apparently very strange indeed...

I got very very lucky; not only was my neighbor upfront and cooperative about everything, but he did decide to file a claim with his insurance company to repair my vehicle.

Technically, and this is kind of bizarre, because my car was parked and no one was in it, when it was hit, it constituted as property damage, not a car accident. So a police report was not necessary to file a claim, and my neighbor does not have to pay a deductible. That is, I think, the only exception to the Michigan no-fault rule.

So I'm getting repairs on the house. Pretty sweet, eh?

[C ANDERSON]

Great news

[GreenWater]

Sounds funny to me, but cool, glad it all worked out for you and your car.(and house)

[Brozoar]

^ Nice.

I actually meant "on the house" as a figure of speech, not literally getting repairs on my house. Sorry if that didn't translate in that post...

[Dean924s]

I would check the laws as in my state if the damage to the car or property that are caused by a car is more than $600??? (not sure on this) you have to report it by law.