Went to Joshua Tree a couple weeks ago. Checked in and parked to eat. I backed my car in to a parking space and turned the car off. Not even five minutes this French motorcycle touring group parked their 17 bikes on both sides of my car. One motorcycle lost control and their bike fell on my fender leaving a big dent. 5 people had to help the couple off. My car had no dents previously. They pretty much denied it and I had to get a police report. I can go on about the drama of it but that doesn’t really matter. The cop sent me the report and in it it says he tried to get their insurance but they never followed through with that.
I have state farm and am trying to understand the “claim”. I’ve never done this before. My parents tell me our rates will go up if I report this. Why would that happen if I wasn’t at fault? Why would my rate go up if State Farm helps me with repairs? I have full coverage with $500 deductible.
Is there a right way of going about this?
Motorcycle hit me while I was parked. Darn tourists. Help me understand my insurance please.
byu/Strict_Ear7999 inInsurance
Posted by Strict_Ear7999
3 Comments
There is no such thing as Full Coverage. What State did this happen in?
Basically, your French friends are uninsured motorists. You need to go to your own coverage to make a claim for your property damage. You will pay a deductible, and your rates may go up. Your insurer could go after the at fault party to get your deductible reimbursed, but in this scenario that is unlikely to be successful.
File a claim on your collision coverage if you have it, we don’t know what you mean when you say you have “full coverage” since we don’t know what that term means to you. They will attempt to get your deductible back for you. Per CA law, your insurance company can’t raise your rates for filing a not at fault claim.