Got Rear Ended. Scratch on my bumper

[TSilver330CI]

SO yesterday some bloke rear ends me.

There really wasn't any damage except a little scratch where some paint was taken off on the bumper. It's very small. I figured I wouldn't call the cops cause it wasn't worth having it reported to the insurance. I took the guys information and said I'd call him if anything.

I guess if I wanted to do anything the whole bumper would have to be painted right? How much would that run.. and I guess I should call the guy and ask him to pay for it right?


Its too late to call the cops I guess... what if he denies everything..


I never know what to do in accidents.

 

[Big Daddy]

Sorry to hear about your misfortune. Always call the police, reporting to the insurance company is not their function and besides insurance cannot increase your rates unless you file a claim. Is the scratch through the paint and into the primer? How big are we talking about?

 

[jrt67ss350]

besides insurance cannot increase your rates unless you file a claim.

This actually isn't true, at least not in SC. This is a little off topic, but in SC, if you get into an accident that was completely the fault of the other driver, YOUR insurance company can raise YOUR rates. My parents know people it has happened to.

However, if you have a car that is worth anything (and you clearly do), then you should always call the police. If you decide you want to fix it, you may otherwise have a lot of trouble collecting from this guy. Without a police report stating his fault, there is nothing to force this guy to pay out to repair your car except his personal morals, and you certainly can't count on those. Plus, when you get into an accident, it's possible there could be damage that you didn't first notice at the scene of the accident. Without a police report, it would be very hard to prove that the accident was the cause of this damage. I was once rearended in my Camaro, and I didn't notice any damage at the scene. However, I demanded that we call the cops. I'm glad I did, because the next day I noticed that the rear bumper (which was original to the car) had a slight bend in the middle that wasn't there before. Without the police report I got that stated the other driver's fault, there is no way I could have been compensated for the damage I didn't notice until the following day.

 

[Big Daddy]

This actually isn't true, at least not in SC.

I would see a lawyer than because this is a violation of federal law. They cannot increase your rates for an accident unless you or the other party file a claim against your insurance and there is a payout

 

[jrt67ss350]

I would see a lawyer than because this is a violation of federal law. They cannot increase your rates for an accident unless you or the other party file a claim against your insurance and there is a payout

Good to know. My parents just got into an accident that was not their fault and in which their car was totaled. We'll have to see if State Farm tries to pull a fast one on them and raise their rates like they did for one of my parents' friends.

 

[TSilver330CI]

THe scratch is really small... a little black is showing so the paint was definitely taken off. I bought a little VW Silver scratch remover pen that might do the tricker. Really no other damage.

I have heard that even if its not your fault insurance rates can rise if you report it. We need to find some real proof on this matter.

 

[William330]

Why buy VW touchup paint, instead of BMW touchup paint?


Painting the bumper will probaby cost $300 or more. Get a guy that specializes in imports, so the paint used isn't from a Ford Pinto.

 

[MyHarley]

My bumper was scratched by the license plate frame of the other driver when rear ended, about $495.00 to fix, no police report until next day, took his information and filed claim with his no name brand insurance, no pay as it became he said she said......always call the police, not everyone or their insurance company is legit when taking responsibility for their actions.

My insurance rate increased when I filed claim for hitting a freon tank that fell off of a truck........first claim in 29 years ever filed with an insurance company and rates go up.......how funny is that......