Auto Insurance Claims: I bumped a park car. No damage!, buick skylark, nissan quest

Question
Hi. At the elementary school I backed into a park car on the street. There was no damage to my vehicle or New damage to her's. I walked into the school and never got a chance to tell the person. The next day when confronted by her, she claimed damage. She already has extensive front end damage.(No grill, cracked bumper throughout) I would not give her my ins. information because there was no damage. I told her I would give her $50 but that is it. I asked her what she thought the insuance company would give her. There was no one in the car, there is no damage to my vehicle, and she already has front end damage. I doubt the insurance company will give you anything. She said she would talk to her husband. I thought she dropped it, but three weeks later I find out she filed a claim with my insurance company stating it was a "hit and run". I am very upset because she is just out for money. Generously, her vehicle is worth $1200. Generously. I believe it is a 1990-1994 green buick skylark with a soft top. She told me the damage is on the front passenger end. I have a 2004 gold nissan quest van. I have no damage on the passenger end. (I have a broken diver's side tail light from being hit with a bat by my kids.)After careful looking, I think I found the point of impact. A small pinky tip size "dent" towards the middle of my bumper. And that is it. It would be the tip of her pointed bumper. The bumper which would make it physically impossible to damage that end unless I jumped the curb. Which would have resulted in damage to the sidestep on my van. What all does the adjuster take into consideration when checking for the damage? Would they automatically pay her something? If her car already had extensive damage, how can they know I did not do all of it? If the gets nothing because she lied about the damage, does the insurance company file a complaint against her? Can I?

Answer
Hi Erica,
For your own protection and to avoid a possible citation for hit and run, you should always leave a note on a car that you "bump".
Then, if and when you are contacted by the other party you can exchange insurance information and secure the name and telephone number of the other party.  You need to then immediately make a report to your insurance company and have them inspect and photograph your car.  The person who is claiming damage will be forced to make a report to your insurance company and allow them to photo and inspect their car.
Your insurance company will make a determination if you caused any damage and pay any proper amount owed.  This is the reason that you carry insurance.  You should never put yourself into a confrontation with the other party.

After inspecting both cars, your insurance company will probably make a very minimal payment to the other party just to make the situation "go away".

There is no agency for you or your insurance company to file a complaint with.  Your company will either deny her claim or make a minimal payment.  A payment of less than $500 will not normally have any effect on your insurance costs.

I hope that you find this information to be of help.

Your feedback by rating my response will be appreciated.

Sincerely,
Bennie
San Francisco Bay Area