Expert: Bennie719 - 10/19/2007

Question
I drive in California, and I was on my way to work at a red light, a little old lady tried to pass behind me to get into the left turning lane and her mirror hit my car made a small dent and scratched my car.  I didn't want to use my insurance, I got her license plate...my insurance told me to get a police report I contacted three different police stations, who referred me to another place, i finally ended up at the CHP office they said it was the last place i went to that should have taken care of it!  

I am going to use my uninsured motorist option on my insurance and they will try and get in touch with the owner of the car....some little old lady who probably didn't realize she hit me!  why does it take 30 days to get my car fixed?  Is there any way i can contact the driver directly?  or should i bother?

Answer
Hi Margaret,
Since you made a 'counter' report of the accident, and not an 'on scene' report, the police and insurance only have one side of the story.  They have to run the plate through DMV to get the name and address of the owner and then write to that party (who, as you stated, probably doesn't even realize that she hit your car) and ask her to contact the insurance company.
Until the other party is identified and found to be at fault, the only part of your policy that would cover repairs to your car is Collision (less your deductible), which would be returned once they recover from the adverse party.
If you don't carry Collision, but do carry Uninsured Motorist Property Damage, that coverage doesn't pay until the other party is identified and found to be uninsured.
At that point it will pay from first dollar up to a maximum of $3.500.
I hope this answer is of help.  Please write again if I can provide more assistance.
Sincerely,
Bennie
San Francisco Bay Area 10-19-07 12:49 PM PST