Seeking advice on a recent minor auto accident
I was recently involved in a minor auto accident in California. Both my car and another vehicle had some minor damage after we accidentally tried to merge into the same lane. The other car ended up with a noticeable scratch and a small dent on the door, while my car had only a barely visible scratch. After the accident, I checked to make sure everyone was okay, exchanged contact and insurance information, and we agreed to potentially handle the repair costs out of pocket. Since the damage to my car was minimal, I told him to let me know the repair estimate for his vehicle.
However, two days have passed, and I’m having trouble getting in touch with him. I’ve also discovered that the insurance information he provided was expired and not under his name. I contacted my insurance company, GEICO, and they informed me that if we intend to settle directly, I don’t need to file a claim yet, but I should inform them if I change my mind. Given the minor damage to my car, I don’t plan to pursue repairs, but I’m still concerned about the other vehicle.
A couple of questions I have:
-
Should I just wait for him to send me the repair quote? If the quote seems excessive, is it advisable to file a claim with my insurance?
-
What should I do if I can’t reach him? Should I simply hold off on taking any action?
This is my first accident in 12 years of driving, and I want to make sure I’m handling this properly and protecting myself. That’s why I pay for insurance, right?
It’s understandable to feel uncertain in this situation, especially since it’s your first accident in a long time. Here are some thoughts on your questions:
Waiting for the Quote: Since you both initially agreed to settle out of pocket, it’s reasonable to wait for him to send you the quote. If he does send a price that’s too high, you can certainly file a claim with your insurance (GEICO) to handle it through them. Just make sure to document everything—keep records of your communication with him, any quotes you receive, and the details of the accident. This documentation can be helpful if there are disputes later.
If He Goes MIA: If he isn’t responding and you don’t hear back from him, you don’t have to do anything immediately. However, it would be wise to keep records of your attempts to contact him. If a week or so goes by and you still haven’t heard from him, you might consider reaching out one more time. If there’s no response after that, you can decide whether to file a claim with your insurance. Filing a claim would put the matter in the hands of the insurance companies, which may ultimately be a more efficient route.
In addition, since the insurance information he gave you was expired and not in his name, that could complicate matters. If you end up needing to file a claim, having that information may be useful to your insurance as they assess liability.
Lastly, always prioritize your safety and peace of mind. If settling out of pocket doesn’t seem feasible due to lack of communication or unreasonable demands, leveraging your insurance is exactly what it’s for. Good luck!