Parking Lot Incident

[dpn0524]

Hi. So a few days ago, I was backing out of a parking garage. I slowly crept out looking in each direction. As I was coming out the car behind me hits me as well. Both reparked (bad idea, but there were alot of oncoming cars we would have held up). Went out, took some photos (my damage came from the rear bumper on the right side, the other person's damage was rear behind on the left). The damage wasn't bad, just a scrape off paint. We exchanged information and said we'll let our insurance deal with this. I come home to do some research about incidents like this happening in a parking garage. I come to find that it is better is we just pay for our own damages instead of going through our insurance and not only have to pay a deductible, but also raise our premium which will cost a lot more at the end. So I phone the other person and explain to them the situation. They called me today and said they were fine with fixing our own parts, however if the quote comes out to be $750 or more, they are required to report it. Not a brand new car either! I'm thinking WTF? OVER A SCRATCH? Anyhow I did more research on this law and find out it is an SR1 they are referring to. From what I understand, once this is filled out to the DMV, they'll do an investigation through the insurance which in turn will still raise our rates and things will get really messy right? I'm really unfamiliar with this situation. Am I getting screwed over some way and just not seeing it? From what I understand, parking lot incidents, when two cars are both backing out, both parties are at 50/50 if we claim insurance.

What I am planning to do is wait until the other party comes back with a quote. If they insist to fill out an SR1 (California btw), I will turn down our agreement to not claim insurance and call them immediately. I am very content to repair our own damages without reporting it. JUST A DAMN SCRATCH BUT REALLY?

Someone please advise me if what I am doing is correct? Or suggest what other alternatives I can take. Overall, I don't want my insurance rates to go up over some stupid situation like this. And I don't want anything on my driving record.

 

[FEX Quotes]

Relax..

No need to report anything. Just pay for your own damages and let them do the same. If the other guy turns it in to his insurance, there's nothing you can do.

The worst that can happen is your company is notified by him or his company and you'll explain to your company that you didn't report it as it was a minor incident with no injuries or significant damage. It will show up on what's known as the CLUE report, but with zero payout. I would not sweat it..

 

[Accelerated]

You could simply tell the person that the only reason you have not reported it is that you did not want to bother with such a small loss, and that if they are indeed determined to report it, (and if they did indeed rear end you in the process of you exiting a parking lot), you will go ahead and call their insurance for them and seek to recover damages. If it is going to go on your insurance record, you should at least have a "not at fault" attached to it, and if there is even the slight potential that you will suffer a rate increase, you should certainly at least be indemnified.

 

[ginniferhadley]

Relax..

No need to report anything. Just pay for your own damages and let them do the same. If the other guy turns it in to his insurance, there's nothing you can do.

The worst that can happen is your company is notified by him or his company and you'll explain to your company that you didn't report it as it was a minor incident with no injuries or significant damage. It will show up on what's known as the CLUE report, but with zero payout. I would not sweat it..

I totally agree with Fexquotes!

 

[USF3983]

I did a little research. It sounds like something the insurance company files with the state after a claim is made or that you are supposed to file even if no one makes a claim.

It sounds like one of those scenarios where if there is a clear at-fault party, someone is screwing themselves by not making the filing but if both parties are 50/50, the state won't ever find out about it unless one of the parties tries to make a claim, which in this case no one really should because you'll both be at-fault.

Who determines what the costs are anyway? What if Joe Schmo's Craiglist Car Repair service says he'll do it for $25? Is that an acceptable quote for repairs to avoid filing SR1?