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    manutdhunter's Avatar
    manutdhunter Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Nov 4, 2011, 02:56 PM
    Someone hit my parked car, what do I do?
    Today, someone hit my car as I was at a café. Damage includes a slight marking on my front bumper. They left their phone number on a note saying call this number please. She then told me what happened and said the marks would come off?

    They haven't come off, and I'm not too happy because I'm selling my car, and I'm scared it will devalue my car? What shall I do ?
    twinkiedooter's Avatar
    twinkiedooter Posts: 12,172, Reputation: 1054
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    #2

    Nov 4, 2011, 03:04 PM
    Take it to a body shop and see how much it will cost to buff out the scrapes on the bumper and call the person back and give them the amount and see if they will pay or not OR contact your insurance company if you have comprehensive on your car and see what they can do. Depending on your deductible and how much it will cost to repair/buff out you may want to pay for this yourself if the other party declines paying and then taking them to small claims court for your reimbursement.
    AK lawyer's Avatar
    AK lawyer Posts: 12,592, Reputation: 977
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    #3

    Nov 4, 2011, 03:08 PM
    I understand everything except "selling my car it the minute". What does that mean?

    Call them back and get their name and the name of their insurance company. You will need an estimate from a body shop. Then contact the insurance company and make a claim. The insurance should pay to have the damages repaired.
    ScottGem's Avatar
    ScottGem Posts: 64,966, Reputation: 6056
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    #4

    Nov 4, 2011, 03:08 PM
    Your first response is not entirely accurate. The other driver is totally at fault since your car was parked. Therefore the other's driver's liability insurance should cover your repairs 100%. So you get her insurance info and file a claim with her carrier.

    You do NOT need to get an estimate. Either the other carrier will send an adjuster to make an estimate or they will send you to an approved body shop to cover the repair.
    CliffARobinson's Avatar
    CliffARobinson Posts: 1,416, Reputation: 101
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    #5

    Nov 4, 2011, 05:13 PM
    My personal advice is a combination of all that has been said. Having been through similar circumstances, I felt more comfortable reporting the incident to my own insurance company, although you don't have to. I did because I wanted them to supervise an inspection of my vehicle and handle the back and forth.

    Luckily for me, I took lots of pictures and the driver was very confused and caught changing stories, so they accepted full blame and took care of every last cent.

    I would be weary of going directly to the other party's insurance company without getting my own repair estimate. They always say you should get three anyway, so you would be on your way. You need to call her back and get her insurance information.
    ScottGem's Avatar
    ScottGem Posts: 64,966, Reputation: 6056
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    #6

    Nov 4, 2011, 05:31 PM
    My answers here are based on my knowledge of the insurance industry and my own personal experiences.

    I don't disagree with REPORTING the incident to your insurer, But I strongly suggest that you file a claim against the other driver's carrier. Unless you were illegally parked, it is almost certain the other driver is at fault and, in those conditions, the other carrier should cover your claim fully without any out of pocket expense on your part.

    If the other carrier refuses your claim, then you can take it to your carrier. But the fastest way to get the repairs done without any expenditure on your part is to file a claim against the other insurer.
    Fr_Chuck's Avatar
    Fr_Chuck Posts: 81,301, Reputation: 7692
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    #7

    Nov 4, 2011, 06:53 PM
    I also always like to have my own estimates before I talk to the other companies adjuster.
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