Hit in a parking lot while I was grocery shopping — now my insurer is making me choose and I'm lost

Worked in claims for years. Here's the honest breakdown: Option B (going through your own carrier) is almost always faster and less stressful for the policyholder. Your insurer already has established relationships and processes with other carriers — they know how to push back. The deductible reimbursement thing is called subrogation, and while it's not guaranteed, if liability is as clear as it sounds here, they usually do recover it. The "not guaranteed" language is just legal CYA. That said, get the truck driver's admission in writing somehow — text, email, anything — before that window closes.

That stranger's note and any partial plate info are actually really valuable evidence. If you haven't already, take photos of the note itself and save it somewhere safe. Also, if your grocery store has parking lot cameras, you could potentially request that footage — stores typically only keep it for a short window before it's overwritten. Worth asking sooner rather than later.

This is so stressful and I'm sorry you're dealing with it. The fact that the other driver basically admitted fault is huge though — that's not nothing. You didn't do anything wrong, your car is damaged, and you deserve to have it made right. Don't let either insurance company make you feel like you're asking for too much.

Do NOT let the other carrier be your first call without understanding what you're walking into. Their adjuster's entire job is to minimize what they pay out. If you go Option A and talk to them without knowing your rights, you could easily end up accepting a check that doesn't even cover hidden damage. Once you sign anything with them, it can be really hard to reopen the claim.

I know you mentioned just car damage, but did you feel any jolt or anything when you got in? Even minor tension from the stress of this whole situation can mask things your body is doing. Just saying — if anything feels off physically in the next few days, don't brush it off as "it wasn't even a real accident."

The good news is you actually have evidence here — a witness, a partial plate, an admission. A lot of hit-and-run victims in parking lots get nothing because there's no trail at all. You're in a genuinely strong position, even if it doesn't feel that way right now.

Few questions before anyone can really advise you well: Do you have collision coverage or just liability? Some policies handle this differently. Also, did you get the stranger's contact info, or just the note? Because a note with no witness to back it up is helpful but a live witness who'll answer a phone call is way more powerful.

I went through almost this exact same thing two years ago — someone tagged my car in a lot and I decided to deal with the other driver's insurance myself (your Option A basically). Honestly? It was exhausting. They lowballed me twice, kept asking for more documentation, and dragged it out for almost two months. I eventually got a fair-ish payout but I was basically a part-time claims negotiator for weeks. If I could go back I might have just paid the deductible and let my own insurer fight for me.

Pay the deductible and go Option B. You have clear liability on the other driver's side, a witness account, and an admission. Your insurer has way more leverage dealing with another carrier than you do as a private individual. Stop overthinking it and let the professionals handle the back-and-forth while you get your car fixed.