Fender bender...I feel dumb...

[Shavely Manden]

Pulled up a bit too far at a stoplight tonight, so I put it in reverse and rolled back a bit. Then, when the stoplight changed, I forgot to put it in drive again, and sped backwards into the car behind me. Nobody hurt, the damage to the cars wasn't too bad (both are very drivable but need some time in a body shop), but I feel really, really dumb . Thinking of calling my boss so I can do the two hour drive back home on Monday instead of tomorrow, since I don't trust myself behind the wheel now.

Incidentally, does anybody know how much insurance typically goes up for this kind of at-fault accident? There were way, way too many witnesses not to admit fault (and, aside from which, I was too shaken up to make a good case), and I'm kinda worried that my insurance is going to go through the roof.

On a more positive note, I got a new convert to wetshaving on this trip. I'd had my eye on this friend for a while (we've almost always had the same hobbies), but he'd always had a big, never-shave mountain-man beard...turns out, that was just because carts suck. I started him out on a Tech and my old Shea Moisture brush, but I doubt he'll stop there. He's just that kinda fellow...once, I show him OpenOffice, a couple of weeks later he converted me to Linux.

 

[RF1963]

First of all I'm glad no-one was hurt and the only damage was to your car, and your pride

Regarding the insurance; you'll lose any no claims discount you receive, so if you get 25% NCD divide your present premium by 75 and multiply by 100 to determine your true premium. That should give you an idea of likely increase on the insurance based on the insurers knowledge when they issued the premium (100%). The bit you can't factor is the increased premium for a driver with an at fault claim, but this is where you may have some wriggle room. If your renewal is approx. 115% (for example) that extra 15% is the increase for the at fault and is what you negotiate against citing your years of loyalty without claim to the insurer, the other business such as house and contents you place with them. You can reduce the premium by accepting a higher excess, by restricting premium to named drivers over 25 and, if you don't already insure house and contents with them, some insurers will offer multi policy discount.

You can always try other insurers if the renewal premium is too high or use an insurance broker to find the best policy at the best price.

 

[jansob]

Check to see if you insurer offers a defensive driving class discount...that could help offset some of any increase.
I was an underwriter many many years ago as well...if it's possible to talk with them, explain what happened...it's way better than having an accident because you were speeding or ran a red light and I would have let o slide for an insured with a long clean history. But I have no idea how much leeway your company gives agents or underwriters.

 

[Bertilak]

Depending on the amount of damage ($$), your deductible, and the cooperation of the other driver, you may be better off without filing a claim and paying cash for everything. See if you can get estimates before doing any insurance work.

Given the cost of most repairs the above may be a pipe dream, but if the damage really is minimal it might be the best way to go. Be sure to factor in the value of a clean record with your insurance company.

I have been on the other side of a similar situation. My car was somewhat of a beater so I took a $100 offer and lived with a small dent.

 

[perry]

Can't believe the other folks weren't laying on the horn when they saw your reverse lights on. I know I woulda been.

 

[_JP_]

Insurance rates are subject to all sorts of things. My rate did not go up because of an accident, but that was my policy and my insurance company. You'll have to contact your insurance company if you want to know in advance what effect that accident will have on your rates.

 

[Bertilak]

Insurance rates are subject to all sorts of things. My rate did not go up because of an accident, but that was my policy and my insurance company. You'll have to contact your insurance company if you want to know in advance what effect that accident will have on your rates.

Reminds me of a situation a few years back. I got a speeding ticket so called the insurance company to ask if it would affect my rates.

The answer: "Not if we don't hear about it."

Great company!

 

[Shavely Manden]

Thanks for all the advice! B&B'ers really are the best.

by restricting premium to named drivers over 25

Heh...that'd be a lot easier if I were over 25 myself. One reason I'm so skittish about insurance -- even a 25% increase in my premiums would be multiple hundreds a year, just due to my age.

Depending on the amount of damage ($$), your deductible, and the cooperation of the other driver, you may be better off without filing a claim and paying cash for everything. See if you can get estimates before doing any insurance work.

Given the cost of most repairs the above may be a pipe dream, but if the damage really is minimal it might be the best way to go. Be sure to factor in the value of a clean record with your insurance company.

I have been on the other side of a similar situation. My car was somewhat of a beater so I took a $100 offer and lived with a small dent.

Thanks for pointing this out. I called the fellow this morning, and he was a real gentleman--I had to agree to pay for his rental while his car's in the shop, but he did agree to let me pay for the damage out of pocket. Considering my high deductible and what even a small % of rate increase would do, I think I'll come out ahead that way, even if the cost is well over my deductible. It ain't going to be cheap (the guy has a beautiful car), but I've got enough saved to afford it.

 

[Go West Young Man]

Word of warning : our insurance rates went up a bit a few years ago - our insurance co. blamed it on a couple minor incidents we'd had in the previous year. The weird thing is that we had talked them over with our insurance company and decided not to make a claim (in one case the amounts were too low, in another the person at fault paid for our minor repairs).

Turns out that any time your insurance co finds out about damage or accidents they log it into a database, and if they feel you have a 'history of incidents' they'll take that into account in setting your premiums.

We have a new insurance company now!