Devastator187

My wife and I were shopping at Costco over the weekend. When we're done, I was backing up and at the same time, a ML was doing the same and we both hit each other. The owner of the ML said it looks like there's no damage to my car but there's a scratch about 2 inches long. I asked him for his insurance and information so we can exchange. He kinda brushing it off and didn't want to do this by saying we really don't need to get a claim for this as it's in a parking lot and both cars will be at fault since both were backing out. Also, it would be my word against his regarding who's at fault. I really wanted to exchange information because that's the legal thing I assume.

So, he finally bust out his wallet and showed me his CHP badge. I was shocked and said wow, you're CHP, you should have known better to exchange info. Bottom line is that he really didn't want to get our insurance involved. Do you guys think it's worth it to go through all this?

Thanks in advance for your advice and answers.

mikekuriger

don't involve insurance for something like that.

blue00r6

very true.. you don't want an at fault accident on your record.. and your 2" scratch isnt worth your deductible i'm assuming..

MB300AMG

Yeah I wouldn't do it because even if the repair claim will be small you still have a claim on your record and that accident will count against you in the future.

Since both of you are at fault i'd either live with it, buy some touch-up paint or get it fixed out of pocket. Besides, since he's CHP I suspect the judge is going to side with his (potentially fabricated "he hit me") story and then you're the one getting screwed over.

Sportstick

It sounds as if you are not going to be able to establish liability, so the economics of this are the impact on your insurance premiums of filing versus the cost of repairing it on your own, assuming the cost even reaches your deductible.

f8al

Had this happen to me a few years ago which resulted in major damage to my bumper. We got the insurance companies involved and they said we were both at fault.

E92-Lighting

it seems to be the fault of both parties, sorry to hear

Devastator187

Yeah, I guess I'll just have to live it with and move on. Thank you guys!

mrod81

you guys are wrong...as long as YOUR insurance company places you both equally at fault 50/50 it wont increase your insurance rates at all...file a claim and get it fixed, a 500 ded is way cheaper than what it will cost to have repaired on your own. By the way I work as a claims rep for the biggest Insurance company in the country...so i know what im talking about.

Sportstick

Just so you don't feel too isolated with this....identical occurrence with my wife's E Class in a parking lot, when a BMW X5 backed into her just as she started to move. After a useless police report, we all paid our own way to new rear fascias.

jcash60

A 2 inch scratch will not cost more than your $500 deductable. It isn`t worth it. any pay out by a insurance company will go into your record depending on the company it may or may not effect your rates.

JoeVal

More than the cost of the insurance, if you did not do any damage to the CHP's vehicle, you don't wish to have your plate on the look of who can be your neighbor and plague you with citations even for breathing without a catalytic converter. Let go, faster if it was more his fault. If you had the muscle to deal with him you wouldn't have asked.

Devastator187

Yea, his occupational status is what keeping me from moving forward. He may release his whole crew on me and I will have a permanent red flag on my car.

mrod81

not the case...
first off any payout an insurance company is always going to show on your record your fault or not, but it wont be counted against you unless you are found to be at fault...an at fault accident means you were 51% or more at fault it wont count against you if you are 50% or less at fault and WILL NOT cause a rate increase...and that 500 deductible was an example i have a zero deductible so i would do definitely do it.

jstaneff

Simple solution: go to your dealer's back lot on the day that they guy who repairs small scratches is there (your SA will know when that is). Out of pocket for less that $20 (certainly less than $50) and it's fixed. Then just ignore the whole thing.

The CHP guy was being realistic. Learn from him.

alexyanglaw

+1

RLE

I was just about to post the same thing. It won't be twenty bucks but will be far less than a body shop would ask.

See, you can learn something on this forum.

Carsy

Excellent advice.