Parking Lot Accident

[Dan]

So I got in a minor accident in a parking lot today.

We were both pulling out, didn't see each other, and there are very minor scratches on both cars.
Problem is that the other car belongs to the driver's friend.

She found a current insurance card in the car and we exchanged info.

There was a cop who happened to be nearby who didn't see it, but saw how both cars were positioned and said we are both equally at fault and said he would say that if anyone asked him.

Anyway the driver called me back and said she went with her friend to a body shop and that it will cost $400 to repair and that she believes it's my responsibility.

We both have $500 deductibles, shes with state farm, Im with geico.
I don't really care about the small scratch on my car.

What's my best course of action? 

[bubbles]

What's my best course of action?

Post this on the main site and someone will prob offer to pay it for you

[HelpMe]

They are looking for quick cash. Call your agent and explain the situation. Same thing happen to my daughter and we also have SF. We were each responsible for our own car.

[Dan]

Call your agent and explain the situation.

Don't have one, bought the policy for $550/year over the phone while I was in the dealership buying the car.

They are looking for quick cash.

My assumption as well.
Had they asked for $100 or $150 I probably would've just paid it up too in order to not have the headache, though I know I would have to have them sign something that it's not an admission of guilt and that they are waiving all future claims.

But at $400 I have half a mind to just tell them to go ahead and file a claim.  The question is if they do (and I doubt they will) what will happen to my rates?

[HelpMe]

Then call their agent and tell them you feel it was their fault. You will basically be told that you are each on your own.

[Name Changed]

We both have $500 deductibles, shes with state farm, Im with geico.

The $500 Deducible is usually on ur car (collision) there usually is no deducible on the liability.

Either way if a $400 repair then you wouldn't wanna go thru ur insurance, especially with geico (they go up once there is any claim)

If you think it is not either ones fault why dont you both call it even?
 

[farmerjoe]

What about the cop ?Did you get his info? Maybe he can vouch?

[Dan]

Then call their agent and tell them you feel it was their fault. You will basically be told that you are each on your own.

But if they do file a claim against my insurance will my rates go up due to the accident being on record?

[Dan]

If you think it is not either ones fault why dont you both call it even?

She believes it to be my fault.
I don't and the cop didn't.

What about the cop ?Did you get his info? Maybe he can vouch?

Yes and he could if need be.

[HelpMe]

All insurance companies are different. Claims under a certain amount don’t affect your rates with some insurance companies. With SF since we have not had a claim in a long time our next one is a freebie and will not count against us. If this was a bumper to bumper accident there is no way I would give them a dime. If it was bumper to door then that is a different story.

ETA: If your insurance does noy pay a claim it should have no effect on your rates. That is the way it works in my state but I am not in Ohio.

[Dan]

If this was a bumper to bumper accident there is no way I would give them a dime.

It was.
But if they do put in a claim won't my rates go up?
Is it worth making them an offer not to put a claim in?  Or should I just tell them to have fun with Geico.
Frankly the damage is so small I can't imagine them getting it fixed and filing a claim, but people are strange.
Their car is a dark grey '09 Accord, mine a dark grey '11 Altima.

The cop laughed that they would bring it into a body shop. Said a $6 touch up kit would do the trick.

[HelpMe]

But if they do put in a claim won't my rates go up?

See my ETA

Is it worth making them an offer not to put a claim in?  Or should I just tell them to have fun with Geico.

I would tell them more than that! 

[sky121]

I don't have much experience with this stuff but word getting/filing a police report help?

[Dan]

I don't have much experience with this stuff but word getting/filing a police report help?

The cop there don't me that they don't come to private lots or file reports unless there's an injury.  This collision was at maybe 2mph.

[Dan]

See my ETA

It seems like in OH it only won't go up if you're not at fault. In this case it seems like we're both at fault and that I could lose my good driver discount ($62/year) and/or my premiums can go up...

[sky121]

The cop there don't me that they don't come to private lots or file reports unless there's an injury.  This collision was at maybe 2mph.

Got it. I had the same type of accident. Also 2mph backing out of a parking space. Lady backed into me while I honked my horn and watched her crash into me. Someone advised me to file a police report just in case this lady claimed it was my fault it would be better to show I claimed a report. So I went down to the station and did so. Thank g-d nothing happened. Just a crazy lady who insisted it wasn't her fault.

[HelpMe]

I would check into this further. At fault probably means your insurance company pays out a claim. That could be for their car or yours. I can’t see them paying for the other persons car and if you don’t file a claim for your car it would be like there was no accident.

[stever]

 The question is if they do (and I doubt they will) what will happen to my rates?
[/quote]
without question they will go up, my friend just got into an accident and has geico and his rates flew. if you have the name of the cop then you have a stronger case, u can tell them that the cop sides with you and say that they r gonna have to end up paying for ur car too.

if that wont work i agree with helpme that they r trying to pinch you and at all costs for small damage like that try to avoid insurance

[stever]

and yes everybody its not really 6:25 im on west coast so i hope most of you are singing ashes chayel now

[HelpMe]

and yes everybody its not really 6:25 im on west coast so i hope most of you are singing ashes chayel now

I will be singing tonight.