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Makkura · Jan 20, 2007, 10:58 PM

Today, I backed up into a car coming out of a parking lot. I know it was my fault. I was only going like two miles an hour. I hit his front bender slightly. I couldn't see any damage except for a small scratch and he was claiming that they wouldn't be able to fix it and he might have to get a new one. I gave him my information, although since I was in a rush I forgot to get his :(. Now, my first question is... should I file this to my insurance company even though I don't have his information? Second, because I was in a rush to get to work on time, I told him we shouldn't call the police, bad/ good? Third, he sort of "threatened" to call the police... and said he would file the report later or something, but I think he's just trying to scare me (I think he thinks I'm a drunk pothead or something), I didn't see any damage besides a small scratch on his front bender, is that enough to get a new bender? Fourth, I should probably request an estimate from him correct? The estimate should say something like, this is how much it will cost to repair, and if the damage cannot be repaired, he needs a new one, right? I mean, he can't go out and buy a new one without even going to a mechanic and ask me to pay for it right? Will the insurance company handle all of this?

Update, he went to the police, good :). I'm not receiving a ticket, and the officer recorded the damage, which was a minor minor minor scratch. The car is an old car by the way, and it's really long (the reason why I hit the car). The police officer said the guy was a big prick, so I'm thinking that he probably wants to get a whole new bender, and I don't know if I should do it under the books or whatever...

excon · Jan 21, 2007, 05:44 AM

Hello Mak:

Do you pay for insurance? Then let them handle it. That's what you pay them for. You don't need HIS insurance information because the accident wasn't HIS fault and HIS insurance company isn't going to pay. Yours is. HE has YOUR information. If HE wants it fixed then HE'LL call YOUR insurance company. If YOUR insurance company thinks he's entitled to a new bender, then they'll buy him one.

excon