Parking Lot Incident

[Anonymous]

The other day, I backed out of a parking spot and was just changing gears to proceed and exit the lot when a car backed up and hit me. Damage seems fairly minor. Driver was unable to provide insurance info at the scene. Said she did not have the information, excuse after excuse.

I didn’t call the police non-emergency line at the scene. I understand they really don’t care if there’s no injury and it’s on private property. My agency told me to keep pursuing the other party’s insurance information for a few days because I could be penalized by my insurer even though I am not at fault. The non-emergency police said I can file an hit and run report if she continues not to respond to my request for insurance information. Obviously, she is not responding to me. I have her license and registration information.

At this point I’m kind of over it and tempted to just let my own insurance handle this, but there’s so much conflicting information online. I’m really perturbed by the idea of paying my deductible and taking a potential hit to my clean accident record, not to mention the general annoyance because my car is pretty new and nice. But I am assuming at this point there is no other insurer to work through and filing a police report would be a waste of time.

Anyone dealt with this and have advice?

[Anonymous]

If this is in DC, save yourself the aggravation of filing a hit and run. They will do nothing. Just let your insurance handle it. It's not fair but the result will be the same in the end.

[Anonymous]

So,the driver didn’t have any insurance information? Did you take a picture of her license, registration and license plate? Did she give you a phone number and is it real?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So,the driver didn’t have any insurance information? Did you take a picture of her license, registration and license plate? Did she give you a phone number and is it real?

Correct. Yes, I have all of that. The phone number is real (I verified on scene).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If this is in DC, save yourself the aggravation of filing a hit and run. They will do nothing. Just let your insurance handle it. It's not fair but the result will be the same in the end.

No- if they don't have insurance or it's a hit-and-run it'll be covered under your policy's uninsured motorist coverage. Deductible is lower, typically 200 vs 500.

[Anonymous]

Yes Ive dealt with this a few times. One person miracoulsy found their insurance info when I took a picture of the license plate. If you did that you could report it.

If not, you’re out your deductible.

[Anonymous]

If you were both backing up in a private parking lot a police report won’t determine fault anyway. Sounds like both of you probably weren’t totally paying attention.
You pay insurance for a reason. Go through your insurance. Give them the other drivers info that you have. They have the power to get the other persons insurance info if they want to. It’s what they do. It’s what you pay them for.

[Anonymous]

You aren't particularly bright if you let a driver with no insurance, who hit your car, just drive off. You are supposed to call the police as that is illegal.

[Anonymous]

You said it was minor. What damage does your car have? Was it even worth contacting insurance? It sucks but this is the risk we take every time we get in the car (our new and fancy car won’t look new and fancy anymore). I am unsure why you are playing investigator. This is an insurance now, because you contacted your own insurance to tell them about it. They have no choice but to raise your insurance unless you are determined at fault. They can not determine at fault if you do not have the proper information to trigger an investigation.

[Anonymous]

Another down note is that this may now get on your car's record -- as being involved in an accident (like on the CarFax report).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The other day, I backed out of a parking spot and was just changing gears to proceed and exit the lot when a car backed up and hit me. Damage seems fairly minor. Driver was unable to provide insurance info at the scene. Said she did not have the information, excuse after excuse.

I didn’t call the police non-emergency line at the scene. I understand they really don’t care if there’s no injury and it’s on private property. My agency told me to keep pursuing the other party’s insurance information for a few days because I could be penalized by my insurer even though I am not at fault. The non-emergency police said I can file an hit and run report if she continues not to respond to my request for insurance information. Obviously, she is not responding to me. I have her license and registration information.

At this point I’m kind of over it and tempted to just let my own insurance handle this, but there’s so much conflicting information online. I’m really perturbed by the idea of paying my deductible and taking a potential hit to my clean accident record, not to mention the general annoyance because my car is pretty new and nice. But I am assuming at this point there is no other insurer to work through and filing a police report would be a waste of time.

Anyone dealt with this and have advice?

File a "hit and run" with her license plate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You aren't particularly bright if you let a driver with no insurance, who hit your car, just drive off. You are supposed to call the police as that is illegal.

Disagree. Happened on private property with no injuries. Police may not even come & if they do, it may take well over an hour or two.

[Anonymous]

What if people don't exchange info? I'm not giving some rando my NAME or license or insurance card. They can call the police and the police can collect it from me. I would also drive off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What if people don't exchange info? I'm not giving some rando my NAME or license or insurance card. They can call the police and the police can collect it from me. I would also drive off.

This is literally what your insurance card is for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What if people don't exchange info? I'm not giving some rando my NAME or license or insurance card. They can call the police and the police can collect it from me. I would also drive off.

And the police will give your name to the other driver. All you accomplish is a hit and run violation + looking shady to everyone involved.