Auto Insurance Claims: Massachusetts: Car was hit in our apartments parking lot by an unknown person., light crease, honda fit

Question

Damage to wife's car. My wife drives a 2007 Honda Fit. Yesterday morning, she noticed a scrape/dent on the right hand passenger door that wasn't there the day before. We are reasonably sure that the accident happened in our apartment building's lot. In any case, nobody left a note. There is a light crease about bumper height and black rubber or plastic was left behind. It doesn't look like there is any paint missing from her car.
My questions are: 1) Should she file an accident report? There is no way to identify with any certainty, who is responsible. 2) If she files this accident report, will her insurance rate go up? 3) Since we can not determine who is responsible, will she be responsible for her deductible?

Answer
Hi Mark,

Since you do not know who hit you, there is no need to file a police report.

If a claim is filed with your insurance company it may increase her rates. She should call her agent and ask a "hypothetical" question to see if a minor claim would increase her rates.

If she files a claim she would be responsible for paying her deductible. So before filing a claim she should go to a body shop to get a repair estimate. After looking at the damage in the photo you attached it will likely be a fairly small cost to repair, probably $1,000.00 or less. If she has a $500.00 or $1,000.00 deductible there would be no piont in filing a claim because the premium increase over the next 3 years would be more than she would be paid from the insurance company.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh