re: Car insurance question

If you want to keep an at-fault accident off your record (for 3-5 years depending on carrier) and keep your premiums from going up, then just pay it out of pocket.

If you do pay it out of pocket, make sure they haven't already opened a claim with your insurer and then get some sort of release signed by them saying that in consideration of payment of $1400 that the issue is considered resolved by all parties involved. And that there were no occupants in the vehicle at the time of the accident.