What raises car insurance premiums?

Question

I accidently dented my roomies car with a scratch as well. I was told by a good friend since the car was parked if she took out a claim on it and she didn't list anyone who's at fault (in other words she doesn't know) that her insurance would pay for it.

First is that true and if so, would that raise her rates?

She told me it would raise her rates.

Also she said all it needed was to be buffed, how much do those usually cost? She has a 2007 or 08 Saturn VUE.

Because if the buff isn't that much it might not be worth it to challenge her. But there is a possibility the damage might be more then a buff can handle.

Answer 1

IF YOU HIT YOUR ROOMMATES CAR THEN IT WOULD BE NEGLIGENT ON YOUR PART AND YOUR INSURANCE WOULD GO UP, NOT HERS. IF IT JUST NEEDS TO BE BUFFED THEN IT IS BEST TO PAY OUT OF POCKET BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE CHEAPER THEN BEING CHARGED FOR A NEGLIGENT ACCIDENT FOR 3 YEARS. ALTHOUGH, IN CALIFORNIA AN ACCIDENT UNDER $750 DOES NOT GET CHARGED ON YOUR INSURANCE. IF YOUR ROOMMATE TAKES OUT A CLAIM ON IT AND SAYS THAT IT WAS "A HIT N RUN" THEN SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY HER DEDUCTIBLE FIRST THEN THE INSURANCE WOULD COVER THE REST, LIKE I SAID BEST TO PAY OUT OF POCKET BECAUSE THE DEDUCTIBLES ARE PROBABLY HIGHER THAN THE ACUTAL FIX. HOPE IT HELPS.. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 2

First, if she doesn't get a police report, it'll have to be filed under her collision coverage and will cost her the full deductible. Second, if she were to file a police report and tell them she didn't know who did it, she could get it filed as uninsured motorist, but that'll still include a deductible....usually around $200-$250. BUT.....that would also entail filing a false police report, which is illegal.

If there's only a small dent and a scratch, here's what I would do. Take it to the nearest body shop and tell them you would like to get an estimate to "PDR" the dent. "PDR" stands for paintless dent removal. It's very cost effective and would more than likely be less than her deductible. Then, you can ask them to buff the scratches out. This method would keep it from going on her insurance and keep her from having to file a false police report.

In my opinion, YOU should pay for this out of pocket since YOU were the one who caused the damages. It shouldn't cost more than $100 to fix it all.