Location: WA state
I was involved in a DUI double accident in July 2025. I rear ended a car, fled the scene, then ran into a school fence, got stuck, and was arrested.I was initially charged with 1. Hit and run, 2. Reckless driving, and 3. DUI.
I was not sure if the school or the rear endee or both were going to seek restitution or what would end up on my record so I didn't mention anything to my insurance company.
I ended up getting a plea deal of 1. Negligent, and 2. DUI (the lesser one under .15) with the Hit and Run dismissed pending restitution.
It turns out the person I rear ended never decided to get their car fixed, but now the school has sent me a bill for $4500 in fence damages and I'm wondering whether to file a claim (I have liability coverage) or just pay.
I ran my WA DOL driving record and there is only one collision listed — the school fence. But when I looked up the collision report thru WSP, at the end of the report it states that I was involved in a hit and run 30 minutes prior.
My concern is that, by filing a claim to cover the fence damages, my insurance company might look up the collision report and see the hit and run accident mentioned.
This hit and run charge was dismissed (pending restitution which they are not seeking) and is not listed as a collision on my record and will not result in any claims against my insurance… but can they use it against me and potentially bump me into a higher risk category beyond that of a DUI, negligent and 1 collision?
** Does insurance care about an accident that is not on my record and for which there are no claims?
My insurance premium doesn't seem to have increased so far. They apparently haven't run my record recently. By filing a claim, I will hasten an increase in my premium for the DUI, negligent driving, and the one collision they will find upon running my driving record. I will also potentially alert them to a second collision if they read the collision report to the end.
Is it worth doing this for $4500? My current premium is very low — $200 per 6 months. I've had a perfect record for 30 years before this. I know my premium will go up regardless when they run my record, but how much might one fewer accident benefit me?
Any other thoughts and considerations welcome.
Sorry for the convoluted write-up and thanks in advance!
Posted by yroger
2 Comments
Did you carry liability at the time of the accident?
If you make a claim for the fence you will have to also tell them about the vehicle that you hit.
The victim of your hit and run while drunk can file for 3 years in WA. So the fact they haven’t done it yet doesn’t mean they won’t.
It is all one accident. It has different components to the same accident. Your rate is going to sky rocket when they realize you have a DUI and a negligence charge on your record.
Ask in r/legaladvise and not telling the insurance at the time you could be dropped from insurance and they pay nothing and you are then responsible for all damages caused.