Hit at Costco
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 556
Likes: 1
From: California
2008 Sport C-300, 2003 Accord Coupe V6
Hit at Costco
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.
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.
Last edited by Devastator187; May 10, 2010 at 03:54 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Boston, Massachusetts
2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic Sport
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.
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
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.
Member
Joined: May 2009
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From: Dallas
2008 c300 [] 1969 Chevelle SS [] 2010 Camaro
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.
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From: NorCal
01' w203 C320 and 08' w204 C350
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
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.
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Joined: Apr 2010
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2009 c300 sport 4 matic
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.
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Joined: Dec 2008
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C350 Elegance
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.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 556
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From: California
2008 Sport C-300, 2003 Accord Coupe V6
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.
Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 136
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From: NorCal
01' w203 C320 and 08' w204 C350
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.
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Seattle
C-300, XC70, Wrangler
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.
The CHP guy was being realistic. Learn from him.
Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 134
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From: Los Angeles
2008 C300 Sports, AMG 18 inch wheels, MM package, 6000K HID Kit, 20% 3M tinted all around
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.
The CHP guy was being realistic. Learn from him.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,986
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From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
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.
The CHP guy was being realistic. Learn from him.
See, you can learn something on this forum.
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Posts: 3,714
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
