Auto Insurance Claims: Hit and run parked car settle or not with offender, eye witness, own insurance

Question
I have the license number and an eye witness of a hit and run on my parked car in Los Angeles.  I filed a police report and clasim with my insurance.  The other party finally responded to my adjuster and they want to settle with me outside of insurance. My adjuster gave me the other party's number to call.   If I call and talk to them do I lose my right to have my insurance company take care of this problem?  at what point do I lose the right to have my insurance company take care of it?

Answer
Hi Amy,

You will not lose your right to file with your own insurance by talking to the at-fault party.  The problem is that you will need to get an accurate estimate of the damage and present it to the person for payment. In addition to the cost of repairs, you will also be entitled to the cost of a rental car while ytour car is in the shop.  In most cases people do not understand how expensive body repairs can be. The likely case will be that when you tell him how much he owes you, he will not be able to come up with the money and you will have to go back to your insurance company anyway.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh