So I go pick my mom up from her work to take her out to lunch. I pulled out of the bank and was sitting at the stop light about 4 cars back. I'm waiting for the light to turn green when an old Buick runs into my bumper. Not knowing the damage, I am furious and yell at the guy to follow me. We drive around the corner and he pulls in.

First thing I say to him is: "I bet you don't have insurance do you..." and informs me that he doesn't. He then tells us that he also doesn't have a drivers license. After hearing this I am even more pissed. The cops were already on the way and when the cop arrived he asked us both questions. He's completely at fault and I get a copy of the collision report. The officer tells us we can leave and we do. The guy mentioned that his parents have insurance on the car, but they live in Arizona.

I got an estimate for the damage $380 or so and my deductible for uninsured motorist is $250. So, I have to pay out of pocket to fix the damage that his dumb ass caused! I haven't filed a claim yet, hoping that his insurance calls tomorrow to talk to me. Judging by how responsible he is, he probably won't even talk to his insurance company if he has one. Any advice fellow S2ki members?

 

If he was that irresponsible, I'm surprised he stuck around to give you his info or wait for the cops. If you have the number to his parents' insurance company, call them right away. Do not wait.

 

He didn't have the card or name of the insurance company. I have his phone number although I am unsure if he would answer it.

 

If it's worth it to you, you could bring it to small claims court. He's responsible for paying the damages whether he has insurance or not. Insurance is only there to keep him from taking the hit, or in situations where he just doesn't have the money. You should be able to get $400.00 out of him.

 

did they tow his car?

 

His car was left in the parking lot after I came back from dropping my mom off. Hopefully it was impounded or something. The damage isn't that bad and I may be able to fix the gash with touch up paint or something. I just feel like the car should be in the condition it was or better before the accident. $500 dollars sounds reasonable to ask from him. I dunno...

 

I used to work as an auto insurance adjustor and still have my adjustor's license.

If you cannot get anything out of it and you do end up claiming the accident under your uninsured motorist coverage, it will not cause your rates to go up.

Also if you claim it on your insurance the company will subrogate against him to try to get their money and your money back. Insurance companies have a whole team of legal clerks who do this. They will first try to get the money from his parents' insurance company and if they do not pay, they will go against him directly and file a judgement against him. So someday in the far-ahead future once the lawyers get done with it, you could get your $250 back. Make sure to ask your insurance company about this if you do go that route.

Hopefully you'll get the money out of him and won't have to worry about it.