I got a call at around 10pm from my cousin saying that my mother got hit by a car. She is fine. No broken bones or fractures.

After about 3-4 hours, she can finally leave. I go get the car only to find that it got hit and the person didn't even leave a note. The driver side mirror is broken. A lot of marks on the driver and rear passenger doors which maybe can be buffed out. Driver door handle has a scratch on it. The part right behind the rear door has about two dents and a scratch all the way to the metal (right above the rear tire, where the edge is, about an inch).

I'm thinking it's a truck or a bus that hit me. The mirror broke off. The shell of the mirror was right next to my driver front tire and the glass part flew all the way to the passenger side.

I'm so pi$$ed. I'll try to post some pics tomorrow.

I was thinking of trading in my TL next year but I might do it sooner now.
Should I just try my best to buff out the marks/scratches and trade it in or have my insurance fix it first before I trade it. I will replace the mirror myself.
I don't want my insurance to go up. The only serious damage is the scratch that is to the metal and the broken mirror. The mirror I can replace myself and I can use some touch-up paint on the scratch.

 

Not sure who your insurance is but if you got hit and dont know by who, thats called a Hit-and-run. Call the police and have them write a report. Then contact your insurance and have the car completely fixed. If they are one of the big guys and not some no-name insurance, then they would not raise your rates for that. Make sure you have the police report though. They do it all the time. Just dont call 911, call the precinct number in the phone book. Hope this helps....

 

My school bus hit a car last year and clipped the mirror off(and I believe broke the window), the driver said oh shit(with a heavy accent) and then drove off. The next week an old lady came speeding down near my bus stop and clipped a mirror off another car and kept driving. Glad to hear your wife is OK. BTW, If its the same price as your deductable check with your credit card company, when my father crashed our car on vacation visa covered our deductable.

 

I'm insured through Geico.
If it's a hit-and-run I will still have to pay my deductable right?

 

Yeah you still pay but it sure beats having to pay out of pocket. This is what insurance is for

 

Yea, I agree with jmbnova and file a police report. GEICO is very helpful with processing claims quickly. Sorry about the bad night. Good Luck.

 

Your right. That is what insurance is for.

I was planning to trade in when spring comes. I might do it sooner now. I was thinking since I'm trading should I even go through insurance to get it fixed?

I think some pictures will show how bad the damage is.

 

Definetly get it fixed... That is considered minor damage and you wouldnt even have to report it to the dealer you trade with.... It will net you more money in the end.

 

6mtv6,
I'm sorry to hear about your car, but at least your mom is ok (that's what's most important). I am sure your insurance will cover the cost, please update us with any additional news.

 

Hey if you live in the NYC area, I can suggest a good bodyshop to you. Glad to hear your mother is ok.

 

Thanks everyone.

If it's hit and run and I claim it under my insurance, will my insurance go up?
Do bodyshops give an estimated price with no charge?

I will definitely post some pictures tomorrow.
I'm really considering trading now. I was going to next year but it might happen sooner. If I am going to trade, should I still get it fixed?
I buffed most of the scratches out. Only real noticeable damages are a few deeper scratches and some small dents (begining edge of rear door and behind the rear door). I replaced the mirror today.

I'm considering IS350, 330i, and G35 coupe. Only thing that might prevent me from getting the IS350 is that it doesn't come with a stick shift.
I also checked out the RL again today when I was picking up the driver side mirror at the dealer. It looks really nice with the A-spec kit. I just don't seem to like the RL that much.

 

I have Geico and I've filed two not-at-fault claims (comprehensive) that have not resulted in a premium increase. Per discussion with the customer service folks, as long as it's not-at-fault, your rates will not increase. The only thing they could do is drop you entirely, but that's not likely if you've been a good customer otherwise.

 

I already replaced the mirror yesterday.

 

How bad does the damage look to you?

 

it looks irreparable.



i thought it would be much worse - dont even bother going through insurance.

 

thats nothing!

 

thats nothing! you could have that fixed in no time

 

Will paintless dent repair be able to fix the two dents by the rear wheel?

 

They should be able to remove the liner and get access to the back of the dents, which they need to do to repair it.

I got one on the front fender and they just bent back the liner and popped it out so you would never know it was there.

Check with a place near you. If you can't find one in the phone book, check with any body shop or larger dealers.

 

I don't think they will be able to fix the damage with a paintless dent repair. The dents are on areas that have edges or curves. Those dentless repairs only work where it's flat sheet metal, not on door edges or fender well lips. It won't do any harm to ask, the technology might be better now than when I tried several years ago to have a ding repaired.

 

Glad everyone is ok. Damage isn't that bad. I would think a Dent Wizard or equivalent could fix it. Even if you have to go to a body shop, I would think you should be able to get it fixed without replacing any panels.

By the way, great detail job (looks like black glass)...wheels look really good, too!