I rear ended someone. How should I handle the claim?

Question

Yesterday I rear ended a lady on a road going about 5 or 10 mph. I was only about 7 or 8 ft away from her when I pushed on my gas and hit her. She was really cool about it and no one was hurt and we exchanged information without calling the police. We also had a witness too.

Her entire back bumper was bent downwards about 2 or 3 inches and I only got a big paint scratch and crack on my license plate. Its been a day now so my questions are:

1. How exactly should I go about making my claim (the cheapest way hopefully)

2. How much do you think a new bumper could be (or how much to get it fixed).

3. how much will my insurance go up? (this is my first accident in over two years that was my fault)

Answer 1

To make any claim for insurance you have to lodge police complaint first.

You according to me are entitled for insurance of  about 50% of the total cost quotted by registerd garrage.

Answer 2

The only right way is to report it to your insurance company.  If your rates go up they sure won't go up as much as a new bumper will cost.  ($1000.-2000. ?)  Don't settle on your own without your insurance company.  If you do she may Later come back and say more damage was found or "my back is aching, I need to see a doctor, I can't work"...etc, etc  You have insurance, use it !  Always !

Answer 3

My advise is for you to turn it in to your insurance agent & let him / her handle it. You can try to handle it your self but you could run into problems down the line. You can get the cost to repair the bumper by calling a couple of body shops. You can get the cost of replaceing the bumper by calling a dealer. Whether your insurance premium will go up or not  will have to be answered by the insurance company.

Answer 4

You should report the loss to your insurance company, and let them deal with it.  They will either replace or repair the bumper.  Your rates may not go up if this was truly a minor acident.

I have seen too many claims where the other party claims they are not injured, but two, three months down the road, you receive a letter of representation in the mail citing injuries and settlement.  Should this be the case and you fail to report the claim, your insurance company could deny coverage.  

My only other suggestion would be to ask her to get 3 estimates.  Pay her for the lowest, but make sure you get a signed release from any and all future claims.  

Answer 5

you really should call the police ANYTIME you have an accident.  your insurance company will want it.  call your company and report the claim.  they will take it from there.  they will contact the person you hit and make arrangements to repair her car.  the cost of the bumper depends ont eh car you hit.  it could range form 400 to well over 1000. your insurance will go up depending on how much is paid out on the claim.