My friend had his car scraped while parked at his work lot. The other driver left a note with their information and also emailed the lot’s management, who then forwarded the message to my friend. Now my friend isn’t sure whether he should contact the other driver’s insurance directly or go through his own insurance. He’s worried that if he calls his insurance, they might raise his premium, even though he wasn’t at fault and wasn’t in the car at the time. His car is fully insured, and while the damage is mainly paint, it could end up costing over $1,000 to repair. What’s the best course of action for him?
Friends car got hit at a parking lot, does he call his insurance or the other guy’s?
Your friend has a couple of options in this situation, and it’s understandable to be concerned about insurance premiums. Here’s a step-by-step guide on what he can do:
Collect Information: Make sure he has all the necessary details from the at-fault driver, including their insurance information, contact details, and a description of the incident.
Contact the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance: Since the other driver left a note, your friend can reach out directly to the at-fault driver’s insurance company. He should explain the situation and provide all the relevant details. This may help in getting the claim processed without involving his own insurance.
Decide Whether to Involve His Own Insurance: If there are complications, such as the other driver’s insurance refusing to take responsibility, your friend may need to get his own insurance involved. He should call his insurance company and explain that he was not at fault. While there’s a chance his premium could be affected, many insurers understand that accidents like this are not the policyholder’s fault.
Document Everything: Advise him to keep a record of all communications, including emails, photos of the damage, and notes about conversations. This documentation can be helpful if he needs to pursue the claim further.
Assess the Damage: If the damage seems minor, and he feels comfortable doing so, he may consider getting a repair estimate before deciding to file a claim. If it’s under his deductible, it may not be worth involving insurance at all.
Ultimately, it’s essential for him to communicate clearly and promptly with the at-fault driver’s insurance to resolve the claim efficiently.