I just had a fender bender. Its totally my fault. My driveway is on an incline. I came home from work in my 2007 jeep, and went inside to change out of uniform. ITs 102 F today so I was sweaty and just wanted to relax.
But my emergency brake doesn’t hold in my driveway unless its literally pulled up as far as it can go. I obviously didn’t pull it all of the way. Though the jeep was still sitting there as I went into the house. After I changed I looked out of the window to see to my horror that the jeep was across the street and against my neighbor’s truck!
He wasn’t home at the time, so I left him a not and called my insurer, USAA. He came home while I was on the phone so we spoke to the agent together and got the ball rolling. I feel awful. Sure, I have full coverage so the damages to his truck (the bumper, probablt the headlight on the right side and the front sidewall will be coverd. Also a rental vehicle if he needs it…though he has 2 trucks.)
My damages are the rear bumper, the left tail light, the plate light and probably a few other things that I cannot detect by eying them. Either way its probably a good 3000 bucks in repairs with a 500 dollar deductible.
I am so depressed. I feel awful for not checking the brake, because I usually do. I feel awful for causing my neighbor any trouble. He’s a nice guy and while I don’t hang out with hinm or anything I’ve never had cause to think he was a bad guy. Plus he’s a retired Sergeant Major, and living in a military community, I respect the guy. I feel awgful because I love my jeep! I’ve always taken care of it. Is 2 years old and I’ve only pout about 12,000 miles on it.
My agent told me to relax, the damages will be repaired and all. She told me my premiums may not increase since I’ve been with my carrier for 7 years with no claims, I have a good driving record and the damages aren’t thus far extensive. I have a hard time believing that. First, its my fault, I have already claimed that. Secondly, why wouldn’t the jack up my premiums? Insurance is a cash cow for them as long as I don’t do anything that makes them pay out. Now tghat they have to, well, they’ll probably get even by increasing my payments.
But honestly, I’m more upset about the damage to my jeep. Its my first brand new car. What a way to end a mediocre work day.
I’m sure your neighbor will be fine about it - stuff happens, after all.
And USAA is supposed to be one of the best insurers - heck, if I were eligible for them I’d check 'em out! when Typo Knig’s car was totalled, the responsible driver had USAA and they took care of us without a quibble. OK, that’s from the injured party’s side (not literally - no injuries were incurred), but sometimes even the injured party gets shafted by the responsible party’s insurer. So, I’d bet you’ll be fine and any rate change will be minimal, especially if you have a good driving record.
Do get the Jeep checked out, brake-wise - possibly they can adjust it so it’s not so hard to set successfully. Also if it’s a manual, won’t putting it in a forward gear help with keeping it in one place?
It’s possible. I wasn’t able to stop in time at a red light (which switched immediately from green to red, and vice versa for cross traffic) and caused a fender bender with another car; it was minor enough that no airbags went off, I did punch in the other car’s fender but barely made a visible dent on mine. I stated I was at fault and paid my ticket. The other driver made a claim against my insurance. My insurance rate didn’t go up at all, and in fact (a few years after the fact) I got a “you’ve been a good driver otherwise so your rates will stay stable” notice from the company. I also didn’t make a claim against my own insurance; part of the frame was bent slightly so as to barely rub against the radiator, and I paid the few hundred bucks to bend it away from there myself.
I’m with GEICO and I’d always heard they were hardcore about their responses to tickets and accidents, but that’s been our only problem.
