Auto Insurance Advice?

More than likely if it happened in a "parking lot" they ins company will probably want a police report stating as such. Basically, you could go shopping and then call the cops when you come out. Keep in mind falsification is the reason rates are so high though. Either way, like you said, the rates WILL go up, but there is a cap on it. I believe the rates can jump no more than 10% of the total premium. If it happened in your own driveway and the car was parked you might be able to push it through your comprehensive policy instead of the colision side. This way the rates may not increase that much.

Did your wife at least apologize for hitting your car?

like you and fishpunchar said, rates will go up (as far as i know). the only way they wouldn't is if another driver was at 100% fault (so the insurance company could get money from the offender's insurance company), and they'd need a police report (probably with witnesses) to corroborate that. furthermore, there is no other driver's insurance company from which to recoup. i'm sure the insurance reps are skeptical when there are no witnesses to the actual incident (due to fraud, go figure).

like you said, falsifying this meep isn't remotely worth the risk. people don't like to pay for their own mistakes, but sometimes they just gotta man up.

if they do go through with it, i hope you remind them next time they complain about how much insurance costs.

Get an estimate on the repair from a reputable body shop then visit your local agent if you're using one and ask him/her if they have an assessor on premises. If they do see if he/she can give you an idea of what the insurance company estimate for repair would be and what your premium uncrease would roughly be. Compare the increase in the premium over a one to two year period (depending on your company, some will reduce your premium if you have no claims over a time period) plus the deductible to the cost of just having the minimum repairs done. You would need to have a local agent that you're on good terms with though to do this, and be explicit that you are not filing a claim - repeat it several times and record it if you have to. If it's just cosmetic damage suck it up and move along - no point in shelling out money either way just for vanity sake.

Thanks to all for the input. It will be taken under advisement.

You meep well better, meeper. Vroom.

especially yours GJ ;)

Don't forget that many parking lots are monitored with video. A hit and run would certainly warrant the officer going to see if there is any tape. It would sure suck if that tape showed you pulling a meeped up car into the lot.

Filing a false police report with intent to commit insurance fraud - it aint worth it man. Also, the Bush administration will probably label you as an enemy combatant and subject your testicles to car battery/jumper cable/wet sponge.

Also, the Bush administration will probably label you as an enemy combatant and subject your testicles to car battery/jumper cable/wet sponge.

But Barch enjoys that sort of thing.

Bye Barch - have fun in Guantanemo

Make sure to get some debres from the original crash site and bring it with you to the new crash site and toss it under the affected area. I was the victum of a hit and run. No increase for me, just paid the deductable.

Okay... so, I've convinced him to not falsify a police report. Now the question is...

Should he submit a claim to insurance provider?

He's gotten a detailed estimate form a legit body shop and the total is just over $3k. He's got a $500 deductible. So, is it worth it to get $2500 from insurance? and pay increased premium? or should he get a loan for the repairs?

i'd go with what stump said re: talking about it with an agent but making it perfectly clear that they are not submitting a claim.

well meep my meep... I never woulda believed it...

he called his ins co and they say that because he's been a customer in good standing (never missed a payment and never submitted a claim prior) for nearly ten years, they'll pay (minus his deductible of course) and there wil be no change in his premium.

keep in mind though that this one pleasant phone call. no money has actually changed hands. And surely they're going to stick it to him but good in some other form of fee... they may not increase his premium but they'll start with the $2k annual policy renewal fee bullmeep.

but so far so good :D

Call the police and file a report. They won't even come out to look, they'll just give you a case number.

Here in Michigan, we have no-fault insurance, so if it's not your fault, your rates don't go up.