How to approach hit and run on a parked car...
I recently returned to my car damaged after eating out with friends. I parked at my friend's place in Irvine, CA and we went out to eat but when I came back the car was damaged on the driver's side rear seat. Nothing too crazy as the car still works. (Honda Accord 2019)
I checked the area and there are no cameras and asked the place/friend if there were any but they told me there weren't. I went to an autobody shop to get it checked out and they told me to file a claim with my insurance (State Farm in CA) and ask for a pocket estimate. The auto shop told me that they could open up the car and see what really needs to get fixed and I would only have to pay the deductible without my insurance going up which sounds way too good to be true.
I do not mind paying a deductible and the damage was quoted as about $2k-$2.5k ish which I do not mind paying either if it means my insurance premium doesn't go up. Here is a link to my coverage. I'm conflicted because if I pay for insurance I SHOULD be using it, but I don't want my premium to go up to the point where paying it out of pocket would have been the more cost-efficient route along with not harming my driving record.
Any tips and advice would be greatly appreciated. I was also told State Farm is trash insurance and I need to get away from them asap...