Hey everyone, looking for some advice from anyone who has dealt with the classic LA "uninsured driver" headache.
The Incident: I was rear-ended this past Saturday. The other driver was cooperative but admitted she has zero insurance. I have her ID, plate, and phone number.
The Dilemma: I just got a "cash" estimate from a local body shop for $2,000. My Geico collision deductible is $2,500, and I realized (too late) that I don't have the UMPD deductible waiver.
Since the repair is $2k and my deductible is $2.5k, Geico effectively pays $0 if I file a claim, but I still get an accident on my record. The driver is offering to pay the shop directly to "keep it off the books."
My Questions:
– She is ready to pay the $2,500 deductible if I go through insurance or pay directly to local body shop , but I’m afraid a claim will tank my car's value on Carfax. Is it better to take her cash and fix it at a private shop to keep the vehicle history clean?
– I know I’m legally required to file an SR-1 for damage over $1k, but I’m sure she won’t file hers. If I file it, does that automatically trigger a Carfax report, and what happens if we both just stay silent?
What should I do? Looking for anyone with past experience navigating this in California!
Rear-ended in LA by uninsured driver. $2k repair, $2.5k deductible. Do I just settle privately?
byu/Live-Berry-3117 inInsurance
Posted by Live-Berry-3117
3 Comments
First off, lower your deductible. It infuriates me that that is offered.
Second – I have seen doing this without insurance go well ONCE. Only because it was a rich dude who cut a check for 15k without blinking. If you are going to fix it, I would not recommend.
If it’s cosmetic damage you don’t care about, accept the money.
You CAN’T go through insurance if the total cost to repair is $2000. Your insurance coverage won’t kick in. It’s not worth it to file a claim here. There’s no point. Your deductible is $2500. You have to pay that before your insurance will start to cover anything.
Is this Louisiana or Los Angeles?