Doing the right thing?

I only got 4 responses, so posting again.



I drive a 2003 VW Jetta. Sunday, a 23 year old girl rear-ended me in a traffic jam on the interstate. I was completely stopped in traffic, she was turned around looking in the lane to the left, and hit the accelerator to change lanes. Her front passenger side smacked into my rear driver side. It did quite a bit of damage. The whole back end (bumper) needs to be replaced, and my trunk isn't closing properly. Perhaps the trunk will be fine once the new bumper is put on.



She was very upset and apologetic at the scene. I was very nice to her, reminded her that it was an accident, and told her everything would be okay.



Well, the police report was ready today, so I was able to get the ball rolling to get my car fixed. I called Progressive (her insurer) and after filing the claim, they informed me that she has lapsed in her insurance, and is in fact not covered.



I contacted her, and her father called me back. He said that he would pay for everything, and recommended a mechanic (someone he knows). If I report to the police that she is uninsured, she is going to be in a LOT of trouble with the state of Georgia. She could lose her license. I don't want to do that to her. However, I do want to do the right thing for me. I told her dad that I would be happy to get a few different estimates including one from a VW dealer (where I had planned on going when I thought her insurance would pay for everything) and the guy he recommended. He will have to agree to pay for a rental car while it is being fixed. I drive to school and work every day.



Assuming that her insurance was going to pay for everything, I planned on taking my car to a VW dealer to be repaired. The value of my car has already been compromised because now it has been in an accident. Will it be compromised more if I don't get it fixed at a dealer???



I don't have uninsured motorist protection on my own insurance. I can file it under collision, and make them pay for the $500 deductable. My agent said that since it was not my fault, my premium would NOT go up. But then woulnd't she definately be reported? Would my insurance company go after them??



What if I don't claim it under insurance, and it's not fixed properly? What if the trunk starts to leak?



I would love some advice!! I'm trying to do the right thing. We're all human, and she made a mistake. I've been late on my insurance before for financial reasons, and thankfully did not get in an accident.



What would you do?? Does anyone know around how much it will cost if it is only the bumper??



Thanks!!

Doing the right thing?
in my humble opinion, i think you should do what you need to do for yourself. her mistake wasn't bumping into you, it was driving without proper insurance and stuff.



don't bend over backwards for them, you don't owe them anything. looking after yourself is the right thing.Doing the right thing?
If the trunk is not closing properly, you have more damage than just a bumper. Take the car to a shop of your choice (VW dealership) and have her pay for the repairs, no matter how much they cost. She will most likely pay up because it will be cheaper for her than to have her reported.
before i start to answer this let me just say i used to work in a auto body shop and i worked with the adjusters and with insurance agents. the value of your car DOES NOT go down because of what place fixes it. so get it fixed at a local place that the girls father will pay for and before you let them take your car, ask the shop owner to give you some phone numbers of past customers to see how satisfyed they were with he work of the shop. if this girl and her father give you any problem or arnt willing to pay for EVERYTHING, then threaten to report them, youll get what you want, im from new jersey, i know how this stuff works haha