Some People Can't Drive! Questions To Help Me!

[RRosenwald86]

Hey folks,

So yesterday afternoon, my girlfriend and I went to the local Lowes Movie theater to see Da Vinci's Code.

So we come out of the theater after the show to find a few cops, tow truck, and a car ontop of the grass in front of my car and the car next to me. I don't know quite what the heck happened, but some woman drove up and over the curb, over the grass and bushes, and into the parking lot side swipping the car parked next to mine and my TJ as well. Her front bumper was wedged on the side under my front bumper. It indeed was a bad sight to see coming out of the theater.

Her car was f'ed up bad. No damage to my car for the most part... my bumper has a scratch in it as well as some scratches in the plastic pieces on the side and front. However, my car was making a weird noise while running. Thusly, my car is in the shop and will have a shop deal with fixing that.

Clearly, as the cops all said, 100% her fault and will be covered by her insurance.

My question(s) are...

#1. I did not take down her info as I will be getting that when the police report is out... the woman was not talking to anyone anyways. My question is, when we get her number and report... do we HAVE to go through insurance for her to pay me? It seems it would be easier for both parties to just have her write me out a check. Because the cops were there and reported it, do we have to go thru insurance?

#2. Because my bumper has a scratchs in it... does this entitle me to a new bumper? Its not too bad, dont love it being there, and heck I'd like to have a new (aftermarket) bumper... But if insurance isnt going to pay for it all, I don't want to dish out my own money to be replacing it (afterall, I didn't cause the accident at all, wasnt even near my own car!).

#3. Will insurance usually cover all of this (minimal) damage on my car?

Just sucks to have to go through all this hassle now. I'll never park near an entrance or exit again now after going through this. I don't understand how the hell she got up there like she did... it was a parking lot, how fast can one be going??? UGH!

Thanks guys,
Rob

Thanks guys,
Rob

 

[88Wrangles]

It depends on the costs of the damages that determines wether or not you have to go through your insurance.

And yes, I'd make her insurance pay for a new bumper, plastic pieces, and anything else damaged by her car. Have them give you the money for NEW stuff (get prices from the dealer) and then use that money for aftermarket parts...

 

[Sparky-Watts]

It depends on the costs of the damages that determines wether or not you have to go through your insurance.

And yes, I'd make her insurance pay for a new bumper, plastic pieces, and anything else damaged by her car. Have them give you the money for NEW stuff (get prices from the dealer) and then use that money for aftermarket parts...

X2! In Kansas, it's state law that insurance has to pay for OEM replacement parts, they can't just buy an El Cheapo knockoff part to save money...it has to be original equipment from the manufacturer.

Also, yes, I'd strongly suggest that you go through insurance for your own protection. What's to say this dimwatt woman won't give you a hot check? Or no check at all?

 

[dropseys]

better safe then sorry, file a claim with her insurance company. It does not hurt your insurance and you are guaranteed a check from them. If she was that much of an bunghole that night she won't cooperate with you anyhow. Call and get your copy of the police report then contact her insurance company. You could also call your own insurance company, tell them what happened and they will go to bat against her insurance company for you and they still won't jack your rates. After all they should earn that money they get from us. I am a police officer in Salisbury, MD, and I always tell people to call your own agent and get advice from them first. Especially since this witch could have been uninsured or underinsured. Hope thyis helps.

 

[90Xjay]

Rob,
Do you find that your neck is sore now that some time has passed?
You really want to see a doctor and let them know up front that they will be paynig for pain and suffering also...


JK8)

Anytime you're dealing with an insurance company and damage to your car-- remember these words... "pre-accident condition" that is how you expect your car to be put back. Just like it never happened.

90

 

[RRosenwald86]

Indeed. That is what I am hoping for...

The shop is saying my fly wheel maybe cracked. Its actually at the dealership now... They are saying its highly unlikely this is due to the accident.

I swear this sound was never coming from my car pre-accident. Looks like insurance won't be covering this end of the deal. I'm going to try, worst thing is they can say no... but that really blows.

Rob

 

[tardis454]

Shoot high on the cost of the bumper repair, and/or replacement. Go to the dealship and price all of the parts you'll need to fix the Jeep. I say this because her insurance company will try to nick you on the repair work. And yes you will need to contact her insurance company.....unless you want to turn on your comprehensive, and pay a deductable...

 

[campingnut1973]

Being an Officer, I can tell u that u need to get a copy of the report for your records, and that u need to file through your insurance company, don't settle on her paying u. Your insurance shouldn't go up because it was unoccuppied, u were not even in it when it happened so that shouldn't be an issue. Let the insurance companies fight it out, that's what u pay them for, and there shouldn't be any confussion being that it was her fault, so let your ins.work for u. I would go to the dealership and get a quote from them on the repair work, as long as insurance is paying let them put bthe correct stuff on.