Out $500... Merry Xmas to you too!

So someone hit my car the other night and didn't bother to leave a note or anything.

The worst part is that it did not happen in the parking lot of a grocery store, mall or other shopping center that would have security cameras. Where it probably did happen is right outside my house. Two of my neighbors are known for having frequent parties and/or multiple guests at once.

My deductable is $500. I haven't gotten an estimate yet but those who have seen it think it's probably $1500-$2000 worth of damage. The dent is relatively small but covers part of the rear drivers side door as well as the panel beside it. Lots of white paint.

Am I still covered if I tell my insurance company I think it happened outside of my house? I wasn't parked in my driveway, but on the street.

I keep eyeballing every white car that parks nearby. I have a feeling they aren't returning to the scene of the crime.

Jerks.

Sorry guys. Had to rant.

i totally feel your pain!!! that happened to me about 2 years ago, also right before christmas. Luckily it only dented the part right above my drivers side tire so it was totally driveable. I didn't even fix it. It was right in front of someone's house and no neighbors saw anything. I can't believe soem people!

I got my car last year at Christmas time. It's a 2007 Toyota Corolla S. If the car wasn't brand new I wouldn't fix it either....

If I was still driving my 1993 piece of S I'd leave it the way it is.

It's just sickening to have my perfect car banged up by some jacksmack. The nerve of some people!

Original Post by kd129:

So someone hit my car the other night and didn't bother to leave a note or anything.

The worst part is that it did not happen in the parking lot of a grocery store, mall or other shopping center that would have security cameras. Where it probably did happen is right outside my house. Two of my neighbors are known for having frequent parties and/or multiple guests at once.

My deductable is $500. I haven't gotten an estimate yet but those who have seen it think it's probably $1500-$2000 worth of damage. The dent is relatively small but covers part of the rear drivers side door as well as the panel beside it. Lots of white paint.

Am I still covered if I tell my insurance company I think it happened outside of my house? I wasn't parked in my driveway, but on the street.

I keep eyeballing every white car that parks nearby. I have a feeling they aren't returning to the scene of the crime.

Jerks.

Sorry guys. Had to rant.

Ok if it was me I would at least get an estimate to see what it will cost that would be the first step (especially if I wanted it repaired) then go from there...if its less than my deductible then there is nothing to gain by reporting it especially if I cant determine who did it...if however, if it was more (and I mean MORE) than the deductible then maybe it is worth reporting...the insurance company wont or shouldnt judge you (unless it was illegally parked) on someone doing a bump and run...remember this is what I WOULD DO.

 BTW if this will make you feel any better I waited over a year on a waiting list for my brand new BMW (it was the 1st year they were producing this model with the high performance package and the waiting list was crazy) and had it less than one week.  I was sitting in my car getting ready to back out of my parking spot and an "inspiring actress" as she called herself with a piece of junk Nissan (that had every panel dented and oh BTW she had 10 accident priors) backed right into the rear quarter panel...lets just say that I had a royal melt down...I came totally unglued..when the police came it wasnt difficult to figure out what and who did what but I was still fuming and what was more ironic was when she got out to look she said "oh thats my dream car - I want one of those".  So trust me I totally understand.

Have you reported it to the police? That is a hit and run. Depending on where you are the police CAN do a pretty good job of investigating and finding the culprit. If you are in a highly populated area the chances are smaller, but if the neighbors have parties and it was someone there, the car was white I'd say you have a good start. Make a police report anyway the insurance should insist on that anyway.

You did call the police, right?  Your insurance will pay for it less the deductible unless the police can find the culprit then their insurance will cover it, unless you are in a no fault state then it doesn't really matter. If the $500.00 is a hardship then you should think about lowering your deductible.

If your car is parked, off and empty and you have half decent insurance, you only have to pay the deductible.  That is the only time (according to insurance) that you could not have avoided accident, if the car is parked.

That's balls, though.

I haven't called the police. Which as I'm reading these responses seems rather stupid of me. But I idioticly assumed that since I had no way of knowing who did it - that there wouldn't be a whole helluva lot the police could do. Less taking statements from nieghbors, I'm up a creek. Not to mention that neither of my neighbors (assuming one of them had a friend who hit me) would willingly give up information about who at their house it may have been.

My other fear of calling the police was simply where my car was parked. Again, it wasn't in my driveway but on the street outside of my house. I live in and on a street of duplexes so the street is basically free parking for anyone. I don't own (or rent) the street.

Anyhow. Thanks for your responses. This is the first time I've had to deal with a situation like this as a "grown up" so I guess you live and learn.