Mini-tort question

89-LX

89-LX

Forum Member
Quick question regarding Michigan monitor. I was stopped at a light, and someone clipped my rear bumper. Most damage is just scratches, but require the bumper to be blasted and painted again, which comes in at the cost of about $500-$550 plus $200 to replace the plastic lower bumper that is gashed up. She said she didn't want to go through insurance, and we didn't file a police report at the time due to insurance finding out if we filed on.

She said she is going to pay out of pocket, but if she doesn't, what's the process for mini tort? Do I have to contact my insurance company? I hate to have my rates go up for her.
 
Mini-Tort goes thru her carrier. But those fine Republicans in Lansing allowed this to be an OPTIONAL coverage. She may not have Mini-Tort and you'll have to go thru your company. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS GET A POLICE REPORT. It doesn't necessarily mean she'll get a ticket. But it does exclude you from being at fault if you have to make a claim against your policy. If you have Broad Collision, there is no deductible if you are not at fault. If you have Basic Collision, you will ALWAYS have a deductible. If you have Basic Collision or no collision, you'll have to sue her for the money if she refuses to pay.
 
Without a police report, you have no mini tort claim.

You may, just maybe have a Small Claims Court case.

When & where was said car collision? Any witness?
 
5-1 odds you get an estimate and she ignores any further communication from you.

Lesson learned


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DetroitStyle said:
5-1 odds you get an estimate and she ignores any further communication from you.

Lesson learned


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This happened to my son when he was about 17. 35-ish year old guy rear ends him while he's stopped at a red light. Guy admits fault and says "get an estimate and I'll pay for it". My son does this, contacts the guy several times then never hears from him. Scum-bag.
 
If I was hit, I would never ever let anyone drive off without me making a police report no matter how minor the damage looks. I would also expect nothing less from anyone who I hit. Unfortunately you can't take anyone's word in this world, and without a paper trial you will be fighting a losing battle it seams.
 
camaromann said:
If I was hit, I would never ever let anyone drive off without me making a police report no matter how minor the damage looks. I would also expect nothing less from anyone who I hit. Unfortunately you can't take anyone's word in this world, and without a paper trial you will be fighting a losing battle it seems.
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This!!!
 
4Gas$ said:
Without a police report, you have no mini tort claim.

You may, just maybe have a Small Claims Court case.

When & where was said car collision? Any witness?
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Contingent on usable evidence for court purposes, you have your work cut out for you. If none is valid, it'll be a uphill battle without any ammo.


camaromann said:
If I was hit, I would never ever let anyone drive off without me making a police report no matter how minor the damage looks. I would also expect nothing less from anyone who I hit. Unfortunately you can't take anyone's word in this world, and without a paper trial you will be fighting a losing battle it seams.
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Michigan's no-fault doesnt help matters and it drive's the dishonesty even further. Seeing how vehicles cost what they do these days, driving something with a payment is just asking for trouble. beaters for life lol
 
Just happened to me. Sitting at a light waiting for left turn, some guy in a delivery truck hits my passenger side mirror and breaks it with his giant truck mirror. I have a police report, but I think this is still going to be a pain. I looked up the mirror it is about $600 at the dealer - power, heated, power folding. And my truck is a lease. FML.

-Geoff
 
Swifster said:
ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS GET A POLICE REPORT.
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Problem with making a police report is regardless who's fault the accident still goes on your driving record and against your insurance. Make 3-4 claims with others at fault and see where your insurance premium goes. For a 500 dollar claim that you can probably find someone to repair it for 250... no thanks. Ill keep the accidents off my driving record.
Legislature in MI is predominately employed by the insurance industry. That's why your insurance is 165% higher than the #2 most expensive state to insure a vehicle. Making changes will NEVER be brought to the floor.
 
Detroit Gearbox said:
Problem with making a police report is regardless who's fault the accident still goes on your driving record and against your insurance. Make 3-4 claims with others at fault and see where your insurance premium goes. For a 500 dollar claim that you can probably find someone to repair it for 250... no thanks. Ill keep the accidents off my driving record.
Legislature in MI is predominately employed by the insurance industry. That's why your insurance is 165% higher than the #2 most expensive state to insure a vehicle. Making changes will NEVER be brought to the floor.
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Exactly why we both didn't want a police report to begin with. And I'm sure that's also a reason why she wouldn't want insurance to be involved if I had to go a legal route though the courts. Just evaluating my options just in case I do have to go that route.
 
SO much bad information in this post.

Legislature us reason we have high rates? Buha ha ha ha. Give me a break.

You hAve a strong case. If she doesn't pay, fIle in small claims.
 
Detroit Gearbox said:
Problem with making a police report is regardless who's fault the accident still goes on your driving record and against your insurance. Make 3-4 claims with others at fault and see where your insurance premium goes. For a 500 dollar claim that you can probably find someone to repair it for 250... no thanks. Ill keep the accidents off my driving record.
Legislature in MI is predominately employed by the insurance industry. That's why your insurance is 165% higher than the #2 most expensive state to insure a vehicle. Making changes will NEVER be brought to the floor.
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Um...no. If your policy is surcharged, it shows up on your declaration certificate when your policy renews. The bad part of filling a police report is this is how Car-Fax finds out your car was in an accident.

As for Michigan being so expensive, it really isn't. It costs me more in Florida for the SAME coverage that I had in Michigan. It's that other states allow you to have LESS coverage. Personally, I thought the Mini-Tort was awesome. As optional coverage, you will have issues if the other party cheapened their policy (like car rental).
 
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