So first the basics: I'm 18. "My" car is a 2002 Infiniti I35 (the one I got for $400, for those who might remember my thread about the it). It is registered under my mother's name and the insurance card (Hanover Insurance Co.) has both my mother and father's names on it. I live in Morris County in North Jersey, for those who are familiar with the area.
Last night at about 8:00 PM, I was merging onto 80 West in Parsippany. A silver Chrysler 300M was behind me as I moved to the left onto 80. As I pushed harder to get up to speed, the Chrysler tried to pass me me on the right side. By the time I noticed him, he was riding on the shoulder quickly passing me, and the front of my car was aligned with his rear quarters when he suddenly jerked to the left and impacted me. I held down the horn as he jammed on the brakes.
He began to slow down and try to distance himself behind me. I managed to fake getting off at the next exit and ended up behind him as 80 West became 287 South. I called 911 and spoke to the operator on speaker as I proceeded to tail the Chrysler and read the license plate. I kept up with him as he sped and weaved through traffic. The operator told me he would transfer me to an NJ State Police operator and insisted I follow the Chrysler as safely as possible until I could clearly see the plates.
The Chrysler dove off of 287 and onto 10 heading westbound. I got the plate: CC 38CB. The operator put me on with a State Trooper, who then told me to pull over somewhere and wait for assistance. I stopped at an Exxon on 10 and when the police showed up - all four cars of them - I repeated the plate and details of the Chrysler. One trooper filled out an accident report and then left with the rest to pursue the other driver.
So short story long, I just have a question: should I go through my insurance to have the damage to my car repaired, and if I do so, would my premium go up? The right fender is dented badly, with multiple scratches and a lot of paint rubbed off from the other car. The end of the bumper where it becomes the wheel well is also scratched. There are dark scratch marks on the rim and the front right suspension now vibrates violently at highway speeds. My mom suspects that if I make an insurance claim, my premium may go up because my name is not on the insurance for the car... I don't doubt her or my father's experience with accidents and insurance, I'm just looking to see what anyone here might have to say.. If my premium is likely to go up, I'll swallow the damage and have it fixed myself. But if it won't go up, I'll see about going through with an insurance claim.
And yeah.. I'll have pics of the damage soon, later tonight.
Last night at about 8:00 PM, I was merging onto 80 West in Parsippany. A silver Chrysler 300M was behind me as I moved to the left onto 80. As I pushed harder to get up to speed, the Chrysler tried to pass me me on the right side. By the time I noticed him, he was riding on the shoulder quickly passing me, and the front of my car was aligned with his rear quarters when he suddenly jerked to the left and impacted me. I held down the horn as he jammed on the brakes.
He began to slow down and try to distance himself behind me. I managed to fake getting off at the next exit and ended up behind him as 80 West became 287 South. I called 911 and spoke to the operator on speaker as I proceeded to tail the Chrysler and read the license plate. I kept up with him as he sped and weaved through traffic. The operator told me he would transfer me to an NJ State Police operator and insisted I follow the Chrysler as safely as possible until I could clearly see the plates.
The Chrysler dove off of 287 and onto 10 heading westbound. I got the plate: CC 38CB. The operator put me on with a State Trooper, who then told me to pull over somewhere and wait for assistance. I stopped at an Exxon on 10 and when the police showed up - all four cars of them - I repeated the plate and details of the Chrysler. One trooper filled out an accident report and then left with the rest to pursue the other driver.
So short story long, I just have a question: should I go through my insurance to have the damage to my car repaired, and if I do so, would my premium go up? The right fender is dented badly, with multiple scratches and a lot of paint rubbed off from the other car. The end of the bumper where it becomes the wheel well is also scratched. There are dark scratch marks on the rim and the front right suspension now vibrates violently at highway speeds. My mom suspects that if I make an insurance claim, my premium may go up because my name is not on the insurance for the car... I don't doubt her or my father's experience with accidents and insurance, I'm just looking to see what anyone here might have to say.. If my premium is likely to go up, I'll swallow the damage and have it fixed myself. But if it won't go up, I'll see about going through with an insurance claim.
And yeah.. I'll have pics of the damage soon, later tonight.
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