At Fault Collision: Insurance Q

Had a fenderbender last night, hit car in front.
This is my 1st at fault collision ever.
Deductible is $1000.

http://static.flickr.com/22/91165845_3eb2555991.jpg

Got 2 estimates $1900 and $2800, they involve different level of work.

1) Should I go thru insurance and make claim or pay the whole thing
myself ?
2) If go thru insurance should I try to find the best estimate AS IF
I'm paying it myself or go for the most complete work (e.g $2800
includes replacing the fender piece & more labor)

Very much a n00b at this...
I'm in USA
thanks
Acura TSX 2004

 

I would go thru the insurance. No use paying more then you have to.
Maybe the insurance will be kind to you since it is your first. Of
course, it may not matter (if you pay your own or not) since they are
paying on the other vehicle any ways. I would also go with the more
complete work estimate. Better to replace parts like fenders instead of
just fixing the dents. Better to have it fixed correctly the first
time. If you don't know a good reliable place, just ask around and see
who people trust. Of course, just my opinion.

 

That's very short-sighted.

She'll end up paying much, much more down the line thanks to her claim
record.

Bad idea.

 

They don't have to pay on the other vehicle. The responsible party may
pay the entire thing out of her own pocket.

Nothing says it MUST go through an insurance company.

And she didn't mention another vehicle, anyway.

 

Yeah she did
"Had a fenderbender last night, hit car in front. "

 

The OP's insurance company may require reporting of every
accident s/he has. Such a requirement happens to be very
common.

To the OP: Call your insurance company now and ask. It's
important that you don't end up committing fraud here.

 

Do you have any violations on record in last three years? If so, try
to avoid the insurance company. Try hard. And even if not, it's
probably a good idea. But do note the warnings of TeGGeR® and others.

This is only for your own car, there is no damage or claim from the
other party (eg, a tree?) As soon as there is anything like that, and
of course if there is any claim to injury, I'd say it goes back
towards doing it all thru insurance.

And that's assuming you have a clean record, which given your
question, I guess is true.

Also, if your car is on lease, you'd probably have to go for the full
repair. And on a 2004 TSX, I'd say you'd want to, anyway.

Good luck, ain't nothing new here, keep kewl,
J.