scrappinghappy
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Post by scrappinghappy on Oct 29, 2015 12:52:15 GMT
my dd, 16 who just got her license, hit a car while parking last night. There is a tiny dent on the back of the car and some paint transfer from our car to theirs. There could also be some scratches under that.
We have a very high deductible plan so we were just going to pay to have it fixed.
The other guy says he'll take it to his dealer for an estimate but I think dealers are notoriously overpriced on stuff like this and would rather he took it to the company our insurance company would use. He is refusing.
So short of going through insurance, which we don't want to do, do we have any recourse?
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Deleted
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May 14, 2024 6:04:21 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2015 12:57:52 GMT
You don't get a vote. Sorry.
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blue tulip
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Post by blue tulip on Oct 29, 2015 12:57:53 GMT
I think usually multiple estimates are obtained, and then you pay the lowest one. not sure how you'd be able to enforce that tho? if it's a nice, newer car then he might be justified in wanting his dealer to take care of it. yes it's going to be more expensive, but you're the one at fault so you can't *really* make demands, right?  |
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suzastampin
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Post by suzastampin on Oct 29, 2015 12:58:01 GMT
my dd, 16 who just got her license, hit a car while parking last night. There is a tiny dent on the back of the car and some paint transfer from our car to theirs. There could also be some scratches under that. We have a very high deductible plan so we were just going to pay to have it fixed. The other guy says he'll take it to his dealer for an estimate but I think dealers are notoriously overpriced on stuff like this and would rather he took it to the company our insurance company would use. He is refusing. So short of going through insurance, which we don't want to do, do we have any recourse? Since no fault of the guy, he has the right to take it anywhere he wants to get it fixed. You can choose to pay to have the dealer fix it or put it through your insurance. |
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Post by mom on Oct 29, 2015 12:58:30 GMT
You could suggest he get a couple of estimated - maybe 2 or 3? And then average them.
But really, I think you are going to get stuck paying whatever HIS body shop charges. He doesn't have to get the cheapest price just because YOU think what he has chosen is overpriced.
If it were my car, I would want MY body shop to fix the problem, not whoever hit me.
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cakediva
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Location: Fergus, Ontario
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Post by cakediva on Oct 29, 2015 12:59:51 GMT
Having worked for a collision shop for a couple years - I'd suggest you ask him to get 3 estimates so you have a reasonable amount to choose from. But ultimately, it is his car, so he gets to decide where he gets it fixed.
Not the same thing - but so many insurance companies (here in Ontario) will pressure clients to go to their recommended shop and threaten that there will be no warranty on the work if they go elsewhere. But the shop I worked for guaranteed their work with their own warranty, and legally, you can go anywhere you prefer to get it fixed.
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Deleted
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May 14, 2024 6:04:21 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2015 13:00:55 GMT
He gets to pick, you get to pay.
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Post by mom on Oct 29, 2015 13:01:19 GMT
my dd, 16 who just got her license, hit a car while parking last night. There is a tiny dent on the back of the car and some paint transfer from our car to theirs. There could also be some scratches under that. We have a very high deductible plan so we were just going to pay to have it fixed. The other guy says he'll take it to his dealer for an estimate but I think dealers are notoriously overpriced on stuff like this and would rather he took it to the company our insurance company would use. He is refusing. So short of going through insurance, which we don't want to do, do we have any recourse? You will need to remember that you have chosen the higher plan, and sometimes its good to do that. But sometimes it means you are going to get stuck with a higher bill than you wished you had. If paying what his shop is wanting isn't something you want to do, then maybe lowering your deductible is something you should consider. |
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Post by elaine on Oct 29, 2015 13:08:05 GMT
my dd, 16 who just got her license, hit a car while parking last night. There is a tiny dent on the back of the car and some paint transfer from our car to theirs. There could also be some scratches under that. We have a very high deductible plan so we were just going to pay to have it fixed. The other guy says he'll take it to his dealer for an estimate but I think dealers are notoriously overpriced on stuff like this and would rather he took it to the company our insurance company would use. He is refusing. So short of going through insurance, which we don't want to do, do we have any recourse? You will need to remember that you have chosen the higher plan, and sometimes its good to do that. But sometimes it means you are going to get stuck with a higher bill than you wished you had. If paying what his shop is wanting isn't something you want to do, then maybe lowering your deductible is something you should consider. Yes. At least for the first 2-3 years of having a new driver on your policy. Many 16 yo drivers have parking lot fender benders. My dog walking partner's 16 yo has had 2 in her first 3 months of driving. You can switch back to a higher deductible after she develops her driving skills. I'm guessing the cost of this repair will be more than a lower deductive would have cost you. |
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Post by moveablefeast on Oct 29, 2015 13:08:44 GMT
Me personally, I don't think it's right to try to get the guy to run around and get multiple estimates on his own time after your DD caused the damage. I would pay what was on the written estimate at his preferred shop and chalk it up to learning the hard way.
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Country Ham
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Jun 25, 2014 19:32:08 GMT
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Post by Country Ham on Oct 29, 2015 13:09:58 GMT
If someone damaged my car I would be taking it to the same repair shops I go to right now whether my dealer, or the guy up the street. I wouldn't shop around for cheaper because I trust the people who work on my car right now already. It's not really his concern if you are paying via insurance or out of pocket but that it gets fixed and paid for.
Kudos to your daughter for taking responsibility in a parking lot. Some folks just back out and away and hope no one saw anything.
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Post by mikklynn on Oct 29, 2015 13:10:29 GMT
You don't get a vote. Sorry. I agree, he gets to select his repair shop. |
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Post by dockmaster on Oct 29, 2015 13:11:24 GMT
The deductible should only come into play for your repairs. It would have nothing to do with the other drivers. However, your insurance costs may go up as a result of the claim.
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Post by elaine on Oct 29, 2015 13:14:56 GMT
The other thing to consider is that if you balk at paying his preferred shop, he can go ahead and report it to his insurance company. They will then go after your insurance company. I don't know about the law where you live, but here you have to report any accident with $500 worth of damage to the police. Any repair that involves painting, etc., is going to cost at least that much. If he ends up going to his insurance company they may also contact the police to report it.
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SweetieBsMom
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Post by SweetieBsMom on Oct 29, 2015 13:24:33 GMT
Me personally, I don't think it's right to try to get the guy to run around and get multiple estimates on his own time after your DD caused the damage. I would pay what was on the written estimate at his preferred shop and chalk it up to learning the hard way. This. If I was the guy, I wouldn't be running around getting estimates. I'd just report it to my insurance company. |
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scrappinghappy
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“I’m late, I’m late for a very important date. No time to say “Hello.” Goodbye. I’m late...."
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Post by scrappinghappy on Oct 29, 2015 13:28:32 GMT
Thanks. First time this has ever happened so good to know all this information. We'll get his estimate and go from there
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Deleted
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May 14, 2024 6:04:21 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2015 13:31:40 GMT
Me personally, I don't think it's right to try to get the guy to run around and get multiple estimates on his own time after your DD caused the damage. I would pay what was on the written estimate at his preferred shop and chalk it up to learning the hard way. Exactly. I know I'd not be taking the time to run all over town, wasting time or trying to secure transportation while the body shop had my vehicle trying to get the lowest price to save the person who hit me a few bucks.
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Post by GamGam on Oct 29, 2015 13:34:58 GMT
Sorry she hit the car. If it were my car she hit, I would want my dealer to fix it. No one else.
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sweetpeasmom
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Post by sweetpeasmom on Oct 29, 2015 13:45:16 GMT
If your insurance company were to be involved, they would request him to use one of their approved shops or one of their estimators to write the estimate. Not necessarily the repairs but to at least write the estimate. It is possible that they'd approve an estimate from his shop but they'd have one of their estimators look at it first (unless the shop happens to be a preferred shop for them). Then he would be able to choose to go with said shop for repairs or take a check for the estimate and go to his preferred shop. Should there be any supplemental damage (found after the initial inspection and after the repairs had begun), the insurance company would then go out to inspect it at the shop and make a decision. Or if it were one of their approved shops, they'd trust the shop's inspection.
If you choose to handle this yourselves, he still has the right to go to any shop he chooses. However, you loose the ability to have any say or negotiations in the repairs. He can claim all sorts of damage and issues for his shop to repair and you really have no way of disputing it.
I would report it to your insurance company and let them handle it. It sucks and your premiums may go up but that is what you have the coverage for.
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Deleted
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May 14, 2024 6:04:21 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2015 13:48:56 GMT
No advice, but good job for your daughter being responsible. Someone left our bumper on the ground in a parking lot once...no note, nothing. Some people are so irresponsible.
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Deleted
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May 14, 2024 6:04:21 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2015 13:54:12 GMT
And just realize (as I have lately with three small fender benders from 2 DDs -- only one of which we claimed because she hit someone else) that (1) a new bumper can be over $1k if they have to replace it. Many of the newer cars have plastic bumpers that can't be fixed. And (2) the price of car paint is outrageous -- my car guy just paid over $150 for a PINT of car paint, yep, he showed me the receipt. Now he doesn't have the bulk buying power of a dealership though. But he said since Hurricane Katrina, car paint spiked outrageously and never came down.
So something that you think might be a small repair and sound really overpriced might have to deal with those two issues (and others). I paid $800 to replace a rearview mirror and buff scuffs off the side of a sedan just last week. And that was with a used part!
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sweetpeasmom
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Post by sweetpeasmom on Oct 29, 2015 14:05:22 GMT
And just realize (as I have lately with three small fender benders from 2 DDs -- only one of which we claimed because she hit someone else) that (1) a new bumper can be over $1k if they have to replace it. Many of the newer cars have plastic bumpers that can't be fixed. And (2) the price of car paint is outrageous -- my car guy just paid over $150 for a PINT of car paint, yep, he showed me the receipt. Now he doesn't have the bulk buying power of a dealership though. But he said since Hurricane Katrina, car paint spiked outrageously and never came down. So something that you think might be a small repair and sound really overpriced might have to deal with those two issues (and others). I paid $800 to replace a rearview mirror and buff scuffs off the side of a sedan just last week. And that was with a used part! So true! Years ago, I rear ended someone. I was young (21ish I think). I wanted to try and take care of it out of pocket. He called me with a quote of $1200. I turned it over to my insurance company. Not too long later, I went to work for an insurance company and quickly realized that yes, repairs do in fact cost that much. |
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iowgirl
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Post by iowgirl on Oct 29, 2015 14:16:11 GMT
Yes- as the others have said - be prepared for a surprise when you get that estimate for the fix. It is probably going to be a lot more than you thing (but hopefully not). Your DD hit him, there is no reason he should have to shop around for the best price on a repair. Involve your DD in this process. Don't just take care of it. Make sure she is in on all the conversations about it and spends time with you while you are dealing with it. It makes more of an impact on them when THEY have to deal with it too.... and it helps down the line. Either if they hit someone again, or they get hit. It is a good life lesson. Not a fun one though..  |
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Post by gritzi on Oct 29, 2015 14:24:01 GMT
Your daughter hit & damaged the other person's car. Unfortunately, you don't get to choose where he wishes the car be fixed.
Years ago my husband was hit on the interstate. The lady who hit him was questionable at best (not saying you are). She harassed my husband endlessly about "my friend at XYZ can fix your truck much cheaper". XYZ was located in a very not-so-safe area of the city. NO way!
Our insurance led us to the best places for estimates, paid for the repairs & took her to court.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Oct 29, 2015 14:34:29 GMT
You don't get a vote. Sorry. Ditto. No offense, but a driver under your roof damaged someone else's property. They get to decide how you are going to rectify that damage. |
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Gravity
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Jun 27, 2014 0:29:55 GMT
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Post by Gravity on Oct 29, 2015 14:38:13 GMT
If your insurance company were to be involved, they would request him to use one of their approved shops or one of their estimators to write the estimate. Not necessarily the repairs but to at least write the estimate. It is possible that they'd approve an estimate from his shop but they'd have one of their estimators look at it first (unless the shop happens to be a preferred shop for them). Then he would be able to choose to go with said shop for repairs or take a check for the estimate and go to his preferred shop. Should there be any supplemental damage (found after the initial inspection and after the repairs had begun), the insurance company would then go out to inspect it at the shop and make a decision. Or if it were one of their approved shops, they'd trust the shop's inspection. If you choose to handle this yourselves, he still has the right to go to any shop he chooses. However, you loose the ability to have any say or negotiations in the repairs. He can claim all sorts of damage and issues for his shop to repair and you really have no way of disputing it. I would report it to your insurance company and let them handle it. It sucks and your premiums may go up but that is what you have the coverage for.  You pay your insurance company to look out for your best interest. Use them. You shouldn't have to pay a deductible to fix his car. Your rates may go up a bit, but it's worth it to not get ripped off in the long run. Also, teach your DD to always take photos with her phone at the scene of an accident to prevent other driver from claiming damage that DD did not cause. My DD was involved in a fender bender several months ago. My insurance determined it was 50/50 fault and went after their insurance company to recover my deductible to repair DD's car. |
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Post by Darcy Collins on Oct 29, 2015 15:38:32 GMT
Why are people saying you won't have a deductible? I suppose they have a zero deductible collision policy. Most people don't. Well actually I have not idea what most people have - but we never have, and neither did my parents. We have different deductibles for collision and comprehensive, but we still have a deductible if we hit someone. I agree that you may be very surprised at the damage. Someone hit my bumper at an extremely low rate of speed. It was $1,300 to repair. And I chose the body shop.
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lindas
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Post by lindas on Oct 29, 2015 16:20:11 GMT
Why are people saying you won't have a deductible? I suppose they have a zero deductible collision policy. Most people don't. Well actually I have not idea what most people have - but we never have, and neither did my parents. We have different deductibles for collision and comprehensive, but we still have a deductible if we hit someone. I agree that you may be very surprised at the damage. Someone hit my bumper at an extremely low rate of speed. It was $1,300 to repair. And I chose the body shop. If you have damage on your car that your ins co pays to repair then you pay your collision ded. If you hit someone their damage is paid under the liability portion of your policy which does not have a ded. Deductibles only come into pay on your vehicle. |
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Post by Darcy Collins on Oct 29, 2015 16:24:15 GMT
Why are people saying you won't have a deductible? I suppose they have a zero deductible collision policy. Most people don't. Well actually I have not idea what most people have - but we never have, and neither did my parents. We have different deductibles for collision and comprehensive, but we still have a deductible if we hit someone. I agree that you may be very surprised at the damage. Someone hit my bumper at an extremely low rate of speed. It was $1,300 to repair. And I chose the body shop. If you have damage on your car that your ins co pays to repair then you pay your collision ded. If you hit someone their damage is paid under the liability portion of your policy which does not have a ded. Deductibles only come into pay on your vehicle. Really? Well I suppose it's clear that I've never hit anyone. |
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Deleted
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May 14, 2024 6:04:21 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2015 16:32:22 GMT
Yep, DD hit someone else and she was on the incline where she was above the other car so she only scratched her own bumper. We didn't even repair it. We didn't pay any type of deductible for damage done to the other car.
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You pay your insurance company to look out for your best interest. Use them. You shouldn't have to pay a deductible to fix his car. Your rates may go up a bit, but it's worth it to not get ripped off in the long run. Also, teach your DD to always take photos with her phone at the scene of an accident to prevent other driver from claiming damage that DD did not cause. 
