Seeking Advice on a Minor Accident
I’m feeling a bit uncertain about a situation my wife and I are facing. While shopping at a mall, my wife felt uneasy and wasn’t fully aware of her surroundings. Unfortunately, while backing out of a parking space she thought was clear, she scraped the lower part of the rear passenger door, causing only minor damage.
We exchanged insurance information with the other party involved, who mentioned they would contact us on Sunday or Monday after visiting a repair shop. However, around 3 PM today, they filed a claim with our insurance company, State Farm, for our vehicle. State Farm is now asking us to select a location to have our vehicle assessed, but that wasn’t part of our plan.
Now, I’m unsure how to proceed. Should I call State Farm to inform them that we didn’t submit a claim for our vehicle? Should I explain the minor accident that occurred?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
It’s understandable to feel confused in this situation. Here’s a step-by-step approach you could take:
Contact Your Insurance Company: Call State Farm and explain the situation clearly. Inform them that you were not planning to file a claim for your vehicle, as the damage was minor and you believed the other party would handle it directly.
Discuss the Claim: Let them know that you were involved in a minor incident where your wife’s vehicle made contact with another vehicle, and you had exchanged insurance information. Clearly state that you didn’t initiate the claim, and you are unsure why one was filed on your behalf.
Gather Information: Ask your insurance representative how to proceed. They may advise you to formally decline the claim or to provide documentation about the minor accident. Ensure you have all relevant details handy, including the date, time, location of the incident, and the other party’s information.
Consider the Other Party: If the other party is filing a claim, it’s crucial to communicate with them to understand their intentions. It might be worth reaching out to them directly to clarify what they expect moving forward.
Document Everything: Keep records of all communications with your insurance company and the other party involved. This will help in case there are further disputes or confusion.
Stay Calm: Situations like these can be stressful, but staying calm and organized will help you manage everything more effectively.
Remember, it’s important to be honest with your insurance company to avoid any potential issues down the line. Good luck, and I hope everything gets resolved smoothly!