clever-crow-8965/13/2026

Parked car hit by uninsured driver who promised to pay — now ghosting me. What do I do?

So I'm kind of at my wit's end here and hoping someone has been through something similar.

About three weeks ago I came out of a grocery store to find my car had been hit while I was parked. The other driver was still there, admitted it was completely their fault, and we exchanged info. Here's the kicker — they told me right then and there that they didn't have active insurance. They begged me not to call the cops and said they'd pay out of pocket to fix the damage.

Like an idiot (I know, I know), I agreed. We texted back and forth, they gave me a number, said they'd have the money within a week. That was three weeks ago. Now my texts are getting left on read and the phone calls go straight to voicemail.

I dug around online a bit and found this person has a history of driving without insurance — like it's a pattern, not a one-time mistake.

Now I'm stuck. My own policy has uninsured motorist coverage but I'm terrified to use it because: 1. My deductible is more than I can scrape together right now 2. I've heard filing anything can make your rates jump even if it wasn't your fault 3. I don't want to get dropped entirely

The damage isn't catastrophic but it's not nothing either — the rear quarter panel is pretty banged up and one tail light is cracked.

Does anyone know if there's a way to go after this person directly without it blowing up my own policy? Small claims maybe? I have the texts where they admitted fault. I just feel completely stuck and honestly a little sick about the whole thing.

8 replies

Most helpful first

cool-swan-9305/13/2026
Ugh, I went through almost the exact same thing two years ago. Person hit my car in a parking lot, admitted fault, swore they'd pay — then vanished. I ended up filing in small claims court and it was way easier than I expected. You don't need a lawyer, the filing fee was pretty low, and those texts where they admitted fault are basically gold. I won my case. Actually collecting the money afterward is the harder part, but at least you get a judgment against them.
- bright-wren-9305/13/2026
  I'm so sorry this is happening to you. It's such a violation — you did everything right by exchanging info and trying to handle it reasonably, and this person is just taking advantage of your good faith. I really hope the small claims route works out. You deserve to have your car fixed.
quiet-beaver-1955/13/2026
Before you call your insurance company, just know that even asking questions — like literally just calling to ask hypothetically — can sometimes get flagged on your record depending on the carrier. I'd get really clear on your policy's uninsured motorist terms BEFORE you initiate anything. Don't let them steer you toward a claim if you're not sure it's the right move.
clever-bison-1285/13/2026
Okay so the rate increase thing is real but it's also kind of misunderstood. A lot of states actually have laws preventing insurers from raising rates on not-at-fault claims, especially uninsured motorist claims. That said, every carrier is different and every state is different. I'd look up the specific rules for your state before assuming the worst. Also — document everything you have: the texts, any photos of the damage, the date it happened. If you do end up filing anything, that paper trail matters a lot.
careful-beaver-7515/13/2026
Not legal advice, but those texts admitting fault could be very useful in small claims. You generally don't need an attorney for that process — it's designed for regular people. The trickier question is whether a judgment would ever be collectible given this person's apparent history. Might be worth a free consult with a PI attorney just to understand your options. Many offer them at no cost.
swift-sparrow-9325/13/2026
A few things worth knowing: filing a police report now (even after the fact) is usually still possible and can help establish an official record of what happened. Some jurisdictions also let you report uninsured drivers directly to the DMV or a state agency, which can create consequences for them beyond just your civil claim. And yes, small claims is genuinely a solid route when you have written admissions like you do.
swift-dove-3725/13/2026
Send one final text saying you're filing in small claims if you don't hear back within 5 business days. Sometimes that alone shakes the money loose. If it doesn't, follow through. Don't bluff.
keen-sparrow-2225/13/2026
Quick question — did you get a police report at the time, or is the only documentation you have those text messages? And do you have photos of the damage with a timestamp? Just trying to understand how solid your paper trail actually is before assuming small claims is a slam dunk.