Auto Insurance Claims: Wrecked roommates car, visible damage, honda dealer

Question
About two weeks ago I was driving my roommates car and she was in the passenger seat. I missed the parking spot she wanted me to park in and when I proceeded to put the car into reverse I backed into someone that was behind me. They was no visible damage to either car(it was also night time), and it looked like it just grazed the car and could be buffed out. No report was filed with the police because my roommate said it looked fine. A couple of days later she calls me saying she is sending me a bill for $600.00 to repair the damage. my insurance on my car is only liability. i wrecked her car that had full coverage since its a 2008. It is said there are two tiny "spur cracks" that can barely be seen. She refuses to let me take it somewhere cheaper, she wants it done by the Honda Dealer. I take full responsibility of wrecking her car, but she didn't file a police report because she said it was fine and now she wants me to give her 600 dollars by the end of the month. Can her insurance not cover it? What are the rules about insurance coverage and not filing a report then making me pay? she gave me permission to drive.

Answer
The only thing I can tell you is that here in CA the drivers insurance goes with the car no matter who is driving.  Your insurance would be secondary.  If she was not driving it should not count against her driving record but the problem is that she would still have to pay the deductible.  I would recommend that you find out what her deductible is that she should talk to her insurance agent for advice on how the claim would affect her record/rates.  If her deductible is $500 or more and the claim will raise her rates can you blame her for asking you to pay it instead?  Wouldn't you do the same?

Sheldon Maughan
Maughan Insurance Agency
Helping you protect the things you care most about
916 698-2796
http://www.farmersagent.com/smaughan/

By the way - 97% of the people I talk to are grossly underinsured and lack an adequete insurance buying strategy.  
If you know anyone who you suspect may be in this situation please forward their name and phone number to me so I can educate them before their financial future is devistated.