Auto Insurance Claims: Garge Parking, preferred auto, open garage

Question
Hi Richard,
Two things need to clear, please help me.

1) Garage parking
I was trying to park into open garage separated by the pillars, pillars are bolted with big screws and I hit those screws of the pillar at the passenger side door and it really damaged badly. These parking lots are allotted to the town homes. It was like 8.30 pm dark and there is big tree in the middle of garage parking and it makes darker in the night. I called insurance, the gave claim number and then insurance company will get back to later, in the mean time I have to find body works or take in insurance preferred auto works. I did estimation been done with auto body works and it comes around $2500.00 and my car worth is $7500.00 and insurance deducible $250. I have no idea about insurance will increase rate after, as my friend was talking to me will going to increase rate after. I am just worried about it, how much will going to increase? If it increase, how long will it remains? if it is going to worst payment later, Then may I able to drop claim number provided to me?  

2) My neighbor hit two days before previous garage parking.

I was baking from garage, no one there backside, I did back clearly with no problem and I just trying to turn on to driveway and all of sudden my neighbor came and hit while she was backing, and she did mentioned that she did not look my car and she was watching person walking on other side. She hit my car just below my gas pamper on driver side. she gave all the details of her car and insurance and she took my details. I called my insurance and let them know what happened, they gave claim number, I hope my insurance will contact her insurance. Will my insurance rate will increase for this minor accident? And do I need to pay my deductible? It was not my mistake; she accepted her mistake in front of me. Do I need to register police report for both 1 and 2?

Richard, Please help me, I am not aware all these legal’s.

Thank you very much
Satya


Answer
Hi Satya,

In the 1st accident, it will be considered to be your fault. As a result your rates may go up. This would depend on the policy of your insurance company. I can not tell you how much it will go up because each company is different. You should call your insurance agent who will be able to tell you.

In the 2nd accident, if you make the claim to your insurance company you will have to pay your deductible. Your insurance company will then get the money back from the at-fault insurance company and then they will reimburse you your deductible. If you do not want to pay your deductible, you can make the claim directly to the at-fault insurance company and they will pay the entire cost of repairs.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh