What Would You Do?

I recently had an episode where I was clearly not paying attention.  The parking lot had a more than usual amount of space between the parking areas.  Because of this I was over confident, didn't pay proper attention, and lightly backed into another car.  I heard the sound of the cars connecting, moved back into my parking spot, and took a look at the damage.  It wasn't bad but I had definitely scraped some paint off of the bumper of the car.  I was very upset that I'd done this.  I went into the store (luckily not too large) and found the driver and apologized up and down.  I knew that the damage was not heavy and my insurance deductible is $500.  I wanted to avoid an increase in premiums so didn't offer up my insurance info but provided all my contacts and told the girl whose car it was that I would personally pay for the damage once she got a quote.  Today I dropped off a money order for $300.

I've had certain people tell me that I should have just driven off and not even checked.  My conscience would not allow me to do this even though it did go through my mind.  What would you have done?

[Cherie762]

I would have either went into store as you did, or left my phone number on her windshield., had I not been able to find her. You did the right thing Trudie, also I really believe in karma..what comes around goes around ,,someone will do somthing right and honest for you. Proves to my why Im proud to call you "friend" Hugs,,Cherie

[Melissa0116]

You did exactly the right thing.  If you would have walked away you would have ended up paying for the lying and deceving.  It always has a way of biting us in the end.  So, telling the truth is definitely the way to go.  

God Bless, Trudie.  

[jdwithhcv]

Trudie, you sound a bit confused regarding your insurance deductible.  The deductible applies to collision and comprehensive coverages only.  This means there is a $500 deductible for damage you do to your own vehicle.  There is no deductible on liability coverage, so damage you do to someone else's vehicle is not subject to deductible.  Your concern about the premiums is a valid one, however.

I think you did the right thing in finding the owner of the car.  Personally, I would give the insurance information, and even though you paid this woman you must inform your insurance company of the incident.  You do not have a release of liability from this woman and she may decide to make a claim against your insurance.  Your contract with your carrier requires you to advise them of any potential claim as soon as possible, and if you do not do so and this woman later makes a claim your insurance will not cover you because you have breached your contract.

jd

[TrudieC]

I am in Canada and our insurance works a bit different and we have no fault.  Yes, we are supposed to report claims but it is common to go around it because of the effect on premiums.  If someone hits you and you call your insurance company they will ask you if you accepted payment from the other person right off.  If you have insurance won't deal with you.  By paying her and writing on the money order that it was complete payment for her bumper I'm pretty safe.  The liklihood is that she is not even going to get it fixed (I'm sure wiping off my paint improved the situation dramatically) and is just pocketing the money.  She didn't even want me to pay the tax on the quote she got.  If we'd gone through insurance they would have forced her to go for 3 quotes and use up a lot of her time.  Luckily it worked out well for us both.

[teko]

Hit and runs is one major reason our premiums are so danged hi to begin with. Ticks me right off too when someone hits me and runs, and I make a car payment to boot and they probably dont. ERRRR!  I think you did exactly the right thing! You are rare!

[Lonelymom]

You did a wonderful thing and it will prove that way in the end!!

I was hit in a parking lot before and i was still in my car when it happened. The old lady parked infront of me put her car in Drive instead of Reverse and hit my car and then backed out and drove off. I was only 16 at the time and was so scared I didn't know what to do. I was more upset that she made me spill my coke on my white jeans...lol...yes what a teenage way of thinking right. Anyway the damage ended up being that she cracked my grill all the way up and I couldn't do anything about it because I didn't get her information.

I am glad you did the right thing,

[margypops]

You are a person of integrity I hope I would do the same thing .

[stubby226]

You did the right thing,  I accidentky bumped a car in aparking lot.  I got out to assess the damages.  I could see no knew daamge.  There was a dent and some paint off but it was dusty dowas obviously old.  I left a note with my number on the window.  Approximately a weeek later I get a phone call from thre city policeman saying I was wanted for hit and run.  Shocked.  He proceeded to tell me someone had reported seeing me hit a car and leaving the sceene without reportin.  The note I had left was missing.  He was really nice and said he would note it was not a hit and run.  He also said he would call and leave my number with the family.  I never heard for the other driver at all.  I learned a couple of lessons.  I will never just leave a note.a note.  I will go to business and have owner of the car cme out.  Always use type and color of car as not everyone knows liscene by heart.  If no response I will cal police to come and report it.  I will never go thru that questioning again of hit and run,  Yu did do the right thing.

[ChitChatNine]

I would have done as you explained and/or left a note on their windshield.  Just awful when people just walk away ... at the end of the night YOU are the one who has to put your head on the pillow ... yep.... you.  You did the right thing!

C~