Minor collision. Bogus insurance policy. Am I screwed?
 

Over the weekend, I was rear-ended at an intersection which resulted in just a couple of small holes in my bumper caused by the screws on the other car's license plate frame. No other damage or injury.

I took down the other driver's information: name, address, phone number, DL# with expiration, and insurance information, make/model/color of car and the plate numbers. What I didn't do and should have in hindsight, was call the police to get a police report. Also failed to take a photo of the other vehicle. :(

Then we parted ways.

When it came down to call in his insurance company to report the accident and file a claim, I discovered that it was a bogus policy. The phone number was directed to a private line. Thorough online searches later, I was unable to find a correct number..

I tried contacting the driver by phone, but he's not picking up.

Am I screwed?

Barring a miracle, I'd say most likely so.

Your best bet at this point would be to call the cops now & see if they'll run the plate after the fact. Probably becomes your word against theirs but who knows, maybe they'll fold at the sound of the cops.

Keep in mind depending on the state/agency a report may not be made. My department for example will only take a report if the combined damage is estimated to be over $1500, a pedestrian was involved, or if there was an injury.

However, that doesn't mean don't call the police. Always get an officer on scene regardless of the damage.

In a situation like yours, I would get there, make sure everyone is okay, get everyone's information. Run the information (I'm guessing the guy gave you bogus info because he either doesn't have insurance or he's driving without a valid license), have each driver fill out information exchange, and then issue a summons to the at-fault driver.

Did you contact your own insurance?

Just from my experience and training, the police rarely come out for accidents unless there are injuries or disabled vehicles involved in LA and OC.

You should be contacting your insurance company, that is why you pay $500-900 every 6 months, they are supposed to do the leg work and get the persons company to pay for it. Lastly if there is over $750 in damage total you need to file a report with the DMV.

Every time I've ever been in an accident I've contacted my own insurance company and they've taken care of everything. All I've had to do was be available when they sent someone down to take a look at the car. Even when I was hit by an uninsured motorist.

Ya, I don't see why you'd be screwed, you did everything correctly, your insurance should take care of you, let them chase after him if that's what they want to do.

Thats why I asked him if he contacted his company. They can and should run the plates, name, etc...to find out if they are insured. That way they can get the cost of repairs back from the other persons company.

A lot of it also depends on your policy. If you have uninsured moterist on your policy it will likely fall under that coverage, other wise it will be your collision. Thing is if they can't find the guy you will be on the hook for your deductible.

I work in claims for a major insurance company, PM me with any specifics if you want to.

Yes, I did. My options with them were to file a claim through them and pay my deductible, and they would pursue full reimbursement with the other party's insurance company, or to file a claim with the other party's insurance company myself. I told them my problem of not being able to verify this guy's policy, and they even tried to search for information using their own resources. No luck.

But if it's a hit and run, which in effect this is, you still get stuck with the deductible. Hit and run is far different than an identifiable uninsured driver.

And yes, best bet is to scare them by tracking them down based on plates.

I don't have my policy with me at the moment, but I'm 99% sure I'm covered for un/underinsured motorist. I remember checking recently because of a friend who was in a collision with an uninsured motorist.

So the other driver's insurance company will pay for everyone's repair even if nobody was cited/there was no determination of fault?

Is it a hit and run if I have the plates and a driver license number (assuming both are valid)?

Uninsured motorist is mandatory in California. Or at least it was in 96 when I was hit by one.

What the police say doesn't factor into determining fault. The two insurance companies will get statements from the drivers and make a determination. In a rear end collision the other driver will be at fault 99% of the time.

Reputable companies will accept liability when their driver is at fault and will handle the cost of repairs based on statements, photos, witness reports, etc...

A police report only helps document the inciedent. It comes in handy if the person is uninsured, the driver of the car isn't on the policy, or some other specifics.

Minor semi-related point. I never knew so many people struggled with having no insurance, and/or an easy way to pay for state minimum coverage. I feel like I didn't see the rash of 1-800-General Now or Safe Auto commercials as I was growing up.

Typically hit and run and uninsured motorist fall under the same coverage.

Again, this is based of my companies policies, I can't speak for other companies.

Sounds like it's time to "unleash the (bleep)ing fury"

I think at that point the insurance company can contact the DMV, or police or both and track the person down.

When I got hit by an uninsured motorist I drove to a police station (before the times of cell phones and I was near one) and filed a report. Called my insurance company. Dropped my car off at a shop of my choice, got an estimate, I paid a deductible. My insurance company took care of everything. Got a check for repairs with my deductible refunded. The only information I had was her license plate and DL info, just like you. Rear-ended as well. Everything was done in 3 weeks. After the accident I was freaking out that I was totally screwed. In the end I wasn't screwed and everything worked out without the slightest hassle.

* Might not even have had to pay a deductible. I know I didn't have to pay anything out of my pocket in the end.

If he admits to it, no. Otherwise I assume court action of some sort would be needed.

Well there's a bit of reassuring news. At the worst, I'd be out the deductible.

I just got nailed with a hit an run, State Farm put the deductible on me. Told me if I could ID them they would cover it in full.

Made sense to me, otherwise I could blame anything that was my fault on a hit and run.

exactly, that is why many companies require a police report for a hit and run. The goood thing is your rates usually wont go up since it isn't an at fault.