Auto Insurance Claims: Re: back up collision, two choices, maughan

Question
I had backed up into a parking lot and hit the rear end of a parked car, I got down and looked at it and found that it was just a little scratch on the car's rear bumber. The owner came up and we examined this together and I promised to fix the scratch. Later, two weeks after, I called to find out if she got the estimate, she was then telling me there was a damage to the trunk which I totally dispute because there was no way my bumper could have gone over and hit the trunk without causing more impact, I do not want my insurance involved because there was little or nothing but now we met again and I saw the damage she is claiming I caused two weeks after. The owner who was not there initially claims we should both report to our insurance companies and let them figure this out, but there is nothing wrong with my own car, pls what do you advise. I cannot admit to this because it was imposssible for my bumper to go over to the trunk with just a slight hit.

Answer
Hi Adim-

I'm sorry to hear about your accident.  

You have two choices. Either try to settle it with them or turn it over to your insurance company.  

The good thing about letting the insurance company handle it is that they are pretty good about looking at the car and determining what damage was actually caused by the accident.  The bad thing is that your rates will probably go up signicantly at your next renewal.  

For small claims you are better off paying it out of pocket if at all possible, but it sounds like they are trying to get a little exrta from you - so typical.  If you don't settle they can simply turn it in and then you'll no longer have a choice.

Sorry I could't have been more help

Sheldon Maughan
yourfarmersoffice.com