I'm looking for some opinions here...
You may recall, my car was backed into a few days ago. (It was parallel
parked on the street, and the driver of a van, walked right by my car,
seeing it was there... got in her van... and backed right into me.
Obviously, just not thinking, and careless mistake.)
You may also recall... the father of the driver claiming "YOU GET
NOTHING, YOU HIT ME"... and after giving me minimal "insurance"
information, ordered his daughter away...which led to me calling the
police, etc. etc.
Anyways...
Turns out... They do not have current insurance.
I called the driver, she is now taking her father's line, "I didn't hit
you"...
And the van had been full of their entire family... I have no doubt...
that they will all now take that line, if asked to bear witness... I'm
sure their father has taught them all well how to be liars.
The question is...
I have insurance, he doesn't.
I had asked for $300.00 to settle the damage, but I'm sure it will be
over $500.00 if I were to get an estimate.
If I notify DMV of the accident... and report that it is over $500.00 in
damage, she will lose her license for a year... regardless of any court
decision regarding "fault"... BUT...
If I make that report... MY insurance company will see it... and
probably (in my experience) raise my insurance in the future. (I have a
clean record, but let's just imagine that I got a speeding ticket or
something later this year...to add to this.)
I could also simply go straight to my own insurance company... where I
do have coverage if the other driver is not insured... (I don't have
comprehensive, otherwise.) ...but, once again... this will only lead to
higher insurance costs in the future... (one way or another...)
I was planning to paint my car later in the year anyways... I feel like
I should just take a bite... and let this thing go... let her karma
follow her... rather than stress myself... risk higher insurance
costs... and... risk possible harassment from their family... (as I
wouldn't be surprised if these people... who have no honor nor
integrity, might just seek to reprisals for whatever I, the evil
american dog, may do...
comments?
--Justin
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