Rental Car Hit-And-Run in California

[jj123]

I rented a car for few days. On the third day, I parked the car on the street and when I returned after about an hour, I found that someone had hit it. The hood was damaged slightly.
Now, I tried the file the report and I was told that I physically have to take the car to the police station to report it. It was about 6-8 miles from the place this incident occured. Now I called the rental company, told them about it. They asked if the car was drivable. It looked to me it was and that what I said. They said it was ok to drive the car and file the report with them if I wanted to.
After this, I called my visa credit card company for the coverage. They said, they were my secondary carrier and that my primary insurance will have to pay for it.
Now that I was driving, the hood popped up and got completely smashed. The hood hit against the windsheild and the area above the windshield. For a damage that was initially very small, now it got worse.
BTW, I rejected the rental car insurance coverage as my visa credit card would cover for insurance.
Therefore my question, what do I do in this scenario? I mean, what are its consequences?
Thanks,
JJ

[Mr. Knowitall]

Call your insurance company and make a claim.

[jj123]

Question:
Since I didn't cause any damage and if I call my primary insurance company wouldn't my insurance premiums go up. I am even willing to pay the first portion of the damage caused by hit-and-run from my pocket but why should my insurance pay for the second one as I think its the rental company's fault as they asked me to drive without any caution or inspection.
Thanks

[panther10758]

Thsi is why when ever I rent I take "their" insurance

[jj123]

If some portion of this claim is unpaid, will it go to my credit history? BTW, they(rental co.) don't have my social security #.

[Mr. Knowitall]

If you don't resolve your debt to the collection agency you can expect that it will appear on your credit report.

[moburkes]

Question:
Since I didn't cause any damage and if I call my primary insurance company wouldn't my insurance premiums go up. I am even willing to pay the first portion of the damage caused by hit-and-run from my pocket but why should my insurance pay for the second one as I think its the rental company's fault as they asked me to drive without any caution or inspection.
Thanks

The rental vehicle doesn't know the damage that has been done to the vehicle. They cannot tell over the phone that the hood is going to fly up. The only person who would be able to tell is YOU or a mechanic. You didn't realize that the vehicle was undriveable.

Your insurance company will probably not even charge the claim against you. Call them, and explain what happened.

[jj123]

Thanks all for your input.
After I filed the claim with my insurance company, they made two claims for this same incident. One, involving hit and run. Second, hood popping up. The one with hit and run, they didn't find me responsible or in other words it was not my fault. The second that is when the hood popped up, they are saying that I'm responsible for it or in other words its my fault(100%).
I tried to explain the entire situation but that didn't work. I reiterated that I called the cops and rental company and they said to drive and so I drove. But they are saying its the california vehicle code and I wasn't supposed to be driving once involved in hit and run. The worst part is that the rental car did not provide tow truck for this.
I honestly think that its not my fault and I am not sure what needs to be done so that I can get out of this thing. I mean, do I have to go to the court or are there any other options? Any help is highly appreciated.
Thanks.
JJ

[jj123]

Any help please for the previous post?

[Mr. Knowitall]

I doubt that there are any good answers to your situation.

How much money are we talking about?