Need Help Please

[jvidal1]

I live in California and a few days ago I rear ended someone. It was a very minor accident with just a few scratches on my bumper and a couple of tiny dots on hear rear bumper. No police were called and no witnesses besides me and the other driver. At the time, I had my expired policy I'd card with me which expired a few days before the accident. I bought a new policy from another co on the day it expired but didn't get the I'd cards in the mail yet. I told this to the other driver and she said I can pay her in cash. She wanted to get an estimate first. And so she called me today to tell me she got an estimate of $800! I told her I am laid off and can't afford to pay this. I tried to negotiate but she refused. My question is, can she do anything against me if I don't pay? She only wrote down my expired policy number and their phone number. She also got my name down and phone. Will my expired ins co talk to her if she calls them? Will they put down an accident on my record? Will she be able to take other action?
Thank you all!

 

[moonlightandmargaritas]

My question is, can she do anything against me if I don't pay?

They will probably extradite you to Pennsylvania and put you in a cell with Jerry Sandusky.

 

[jvidal1]

I live in California and a few days ago I rear ended someone. It was a very minor accident with just a few scratches on my bumper and a couple of tiny dots on hear rear bumper. No police were called and no witnesses besides me and the other driver. At the time, I had my expired policy I'd card with me which expired a few days before the accident. I bought a new policy from another co on the day it expired but didn't get the I'd cards in the mail yet. I told this to the other driver and she said I can pay her in cash. She wanted to get an estimate first. And so she called me today to tell me she got an estimate of $800! I told her I am laid off and can't afford to pay this. I tried to negotiate but she refused. My question is, can she do anything against me if I don't pay? She only wrote down my expired policy number and their phone number. She also got my name down and phone. Will my expired ins co talk to her if she calls them? Will they put down an accident on my record? Will she be able to take other action?
Thank you all!

I take that back. She asked for $700. And I did have coverage at the time of the accident with the new co.
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Anyone else willing to comment?
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Also, the expired pol was with progressive direct.

 

[timamr]

If it were me and I was covered, I would ignore her phone calls and any other communication from her. If it was that minor, sounds like she thinks you are uninsured and scared of what would happen if you got caught driving, therefore trying to get you to "pony up".

My thought is this: If an accident happened and she was concerned about damamge, she should have called the cops to get a police report for insurance purposes. Who knows, maybe she didnt even have insurance???

Either way, I think you would be safe by ignoring her. She has all your info so she can easily pass it along to the authorities to take care of the matter.

So...since u are covered, just do nothing, dont speak with her at all and IF the cops come a knocking, show them proof of insurance. From your post, sounds like the person is trying to con u into paying her several hundred bucks for 10 bucks worth of damage.

disclaimer: I aint always right. Just going by what u posted
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Will my expired ins co talk to her if she calls them?

I doubt it. Why would they. They can't help her. They no longer represent you. She would be wasting her time and their time.

Will they put down an accident on my record?

See above. I doubt they care if you have an accident or not, beings how they no longer insure you.

Will she be able to take other action?

Refer to my first post. She could call the police but based on your post, sounds to me like she is trying to scam you.

The reason for my two long-winded responses is because when I was young and dumb, I had a very, very minor traffic accident but had no ins. It was probably my fault and I was scared to death and the older gentleman that had a beat up car and KNEW (because I told him) I had no ins. simply said "I tell u what, just give me $200 bucks and we can just walk away" Just so happened there was a bank/atm across the street from the intersection.

 

[WinoBlues]

""I live in California and a few days ago I rear ended someone.""

Read more: Insurance Forum

Do what you want, but you pay for insurance for a reason. She may never pop up. Or she could pop up with an injury attorney.

""Reportable Accidents
Vehicle Code § 16000(a) requires every driver of a motor vehicle involved in an accident on a public street or highway, to report the accident within 10 days to the Department of Motor Vehicles, if any person was injured or killed, or if the property of any one person had over $750 ($500 for accidents prior to January 1, 2003) damage.

Vehicle Code § 16000.1 (a) also requires certain off-highway accidents to be reported if they meet all of the following criteria:
Occur off the street or highway.
Involve a vehicle subject to registration (includes vehicles not currently registered).
Involve damage to the property of any one person over $750 ($500 for accidents prior to January 1, 2003), an injury of any degree, or the death of any person.
However, an off-highway accident on private property in which damages occur only to the property of the driver or owner of the motor vehicle and no bodily injury or death occurs is not required to be reported to the department.""

Driver Safety Information Financial Responsibility Guidelines

 

[b61mack]

Don't ignore her, Just talk and negotiate, the price. Man up!