Anyone been in a fender/bender or accident?

[Dingo Jellybean]

I was just involved in one, my car came away unscathed, and the other car had very minor damage, damage you can probably fix yourself. But that's beside the point.

What I'm more afraid of is that he'll call the insurance company and file a claim, I told him I would take care of the bill and hope he doesn't call the insurance company. I have a spotless record and it was raining and I just couldn't stop in time, and my wheels locked as I hit the brakes, causing me to slide in one direction. The damage done probably wouldn't go over $200, if that, but I know for sure the insurance company will raise my premium because I'm 21...even though it was raining and I've had a spotless record, NOT EVEN A TICKET...well, except for a minor "not wearing your seat belt $25" ticket. But that doesn't go on record.

State-Farm has this stupid policy that gives you a "Get out of jail" free card. Basically it'll forgive you for your first accident...if it's your first one in...NINE YEARS. I've gone accident free in almost 3.5 years now, but since I am a college student the policy is under my mother's name. She has never had an accident for the 20 some odd years she's been driving.

So has anyone been in a situation like this? I know some insurance companies don't raise premiums if cost to repair is below the deductible. But I want to get some insight on this...and pray the guy will forget about it(since he's on vacation next week) and not call insurance and just let me foot the bill.

[m4tt]

I got in an accident when I was 19. I looked away for a second then rammed into the back of a big Ford F150. It was an older truck, so it didn't get a single scratch. The front end of my little ranger got absolutely crushed though.

The guys I hit didn't seem to care all that much, I was freaked out though. I think my insurance rate went up a bit. I haven't been in an accident since.

[Dingo Jellybean]

I got in an accident when I was 19. I looked away for a second then rammed into the back of a big Ford F150. It was an older truck, so it didn't get a single scratch. The front end of my little ranger got absolutely crushed though.

The guys I hit didn't seem to care all that much, I was freaked out though. I think my insurance rate went up a bit. I haven't been in an accident since.

Did your rates drop back to normal? Or is it still in that process?

[The Captain]

Sadly, in most cases insurance rates will get higher for you, until you're about 25, even if the accident isn't your fault. Insurance companies view drivers under 25 as "risky" so they almost assume you'll get into many accidents until you suddenly turn 25 and in their eyes, become a more responsible driver.

Luckily, no one got hurt, that is the most important thing. Money can be important, but at least no one needs to worry about long term physical injury.

I've been fortunate enough not to get in any accident myself, but several friends of mine have had similar situations, and as a result, their insurance was much higher.

Still, perhaps they'll give you a break.

Hope to hear good news.

Take care all.

[Martyr]

Come to Miami. There's some few million people. If you get in a crash, most likely it won't be with me since I'm a fairly decent driver, and nobody else has insurance.

I've only been in one accident, and it wasn't my fault. But the lady was such a screaming whore that she got the cop to say that we should settle it in court. Of course, all her insurance papers were false and I never saw her face again.

I tore her car up though, and my Chevy only took a couple scratches (And it was a work truck with scratches and dents from driving around in the fields anyway).

But I'll be honest, I'd rather pay out $1000.00 from my pocket than waste time maneuvering in the courts with lawsuits and insurance companies and all that. Far as I'm concerned, anybody who sues for minor fender benders can burn in hell.
And after hearing your description, if it's really only $200.00 worth of damage, I severely doubt that this dude has the time or the patience to give enough or any of the crap necessary to sue you over it.

As for your rates: What your insurance company doesn't know doesn't hurt you. If you already alerted the company to your accident, then your rates will go up. Insurance companies are evil incarnate. If they can find a way, they'll raise your rates if a man in Yugoslavia walks over a hill.

[m4tt]

Did your rates drop back to normal? Or is it still in that process?

I was on my mother's plan at the time. I have my own plan now. I think my rates are still a little higher than normal.

[Dingo Jellybean]

I never report to the insurance company unless the other party does so, which I'm hoping he did not.

I got into an accident 2 years ago, same rainy conditions at night. I hit a fire hydrant(I knock that thing good!), my front bumper was totaled, it cost me $600 to fix...but I never reported it. It's a good I didn't report it though, I know I would've paid more than the $600 it cost to repair it.

I usually drive very safe, but because often my hours are late at night, it's easier to become accident prone. But insurance companies don't see that. I wish I could switch places with some of the CEOs and have them see how it feels.

It probably would be nice to move to Florida. That way if a similar accident happened, I can just speed away, those old folks wouldn't even know what hit them.

[Yamaneko]

I've been involved in two car accidents with my dad. Both were pretty bad. Whiplash and a few scratches.

[Dingo Jellybean]

I've been involved in two car accidents with my dad. Both were pretty bad. Whiplash and a few scratches.

Now that's low. I hate to get involved with my mother in an accident. But at least we can rely on each other not to tell the insurance company, that's the only good news from a family accident. The other bad news is that you both have to foot the bill.

[boris no no]

one reason i can't afford to drive is that for first time drivers (in UK) the insurence is £1000 on a crappy car! it goes down the older you get but to afford a car i need about £2500!! not happening
never been in a crash but my friend has. she got £1000 claim!

[theundeadhero]

I think he meant him and his Dad were in the same car

I've wrecked quite a few times but I think they only called the insurance company once. The insurance was in my Dad's name aat the time and his rates went up a little.

[DeBlayde]

failing to report an accident will mean automatic cancelation of your policy. if they guy even briefly mentions it to somebody who works in the insurance office, you're kinda screwed.

I've had 3 accidents. all have been pretty bad with lotsa damage to both vehicles. I wasn't hurt because I'm a toughie, but in one another lady was hurt because she was a softie.

My insurance is so expensive that I'm waiting until my record clears next summer to drive again. my bike does fine.

[Dingo Jellybean]

failing to report an accident will mean automatic cancelation of your policy. if they guy even briefly mentions it to somebody who works in the insurance office, you're kinda screwed.

I've had 3 accidents. all have been pretty bad with lotsa damage to both vehicles. I wasn't hurt because I'm a toughie, but in one another lady was hurt because she was a softie.

My insurance is so expensive that I'm waiting until my record clears next summer to drive again. my bike does fine.

I've known many people who've done that and never had a policy cancelled. There's no law in the US that says an accident must be reported. Besides, if a policy is cancelled, it doesn't mean a premium is raised with someone else...so you would just lose customers that way. If every person in the US didn't report a claim had a policy cancelled, probably 1/4th of all drivers wouldn't have insurance.

[Del Murder]

I've had five, but they were all in high school. I was in one other when I wasn't the driver. Thankfully they were not injury accidents.

[Zell's Fists of Fury]

I was a gender bender by accident once.