Thread: Backing into someones car.

Even if it is a company car, if your at fault so you have to weigh the options, will it be cheaper for you to pay it, or let your insurance go up, all depends on your driving record.

Lynn is absolutely right, as long as you get the release it does not matter if she repairs her car or not. You should be able to use the release document for your business right off. Good luck.

My dad taught me that insurance was for what you couldnt pay for. He has been in the construction business for a long time and I was raised in it. We have had very few incidentals, nothing over 5k. I consider my insurance is to be used for (heaven forbid) mechanical failure, injury, ect.
I understand the protection the insurance company provides in a situation, but I hope to never make a claim on any of my policies (including life lol)
Tomorrow im going to attend the estimate, suggest another estimate, mention the release, and maybe even gain a client.

The lady was really understanding. She told me at christmas she did the same thing to someone at a funeral home, and the woman she hit told her "merry christmas" and left. I thought I knew where she was going with the story, then the phone rang with our estimate appointment

As of now, it could have been worse, she could have got out holding her neck.

Thanks for all of your input, Ill be sure to post the results and a pic of the damage
Cheers

Things are not quite as litigious in Canada as south of the border, but I'd still CYA as best you can..

I think it depends. If insurance is involved in any way, I think it is best to pay the body shop directly and get a receipt from them.
However, I don't think it is morally wrong for her to propose a deal. If you have inflicted 1000$ of damage, and she wants 750$ in cash because she doesn't really care about the bodywork of her car... that's a fair proposal on her part.

She'll have to sign for it on paper that this amount will settle any debt between you, regardless of actual cost.
But if no insurance companies are involved (because that would make it fraud) I don't see anything wrong with it.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

You hit her and caused the damage so you pay. Whether she pockets the money or not is up to her. I would have her get 3 estimates and pay on the middle and then get an iron clad release from her and pay by check no cash so there is a record. To be technical the proper way is to just let the insurance companies handle it of course. If you don't want to involve them for whatever reason that's your call but you are in no position to dictate to her.

Just my opinion.

I wouldn't take it that far to get 3 estimates. If you think the price is fair then pay her and by all means get a release. If you don't she could call her insurance company and get you again. Make sure the release covers personal injury past and future.

It depends on whether the $1500 is going to be less than the increase on your insurance premium. Sometimes it's best to let the insurance sort it out.
Like many of us, I've paid tens of thousands in premiums over the years for business and home, maybe it's sensible to get some of it back rather than shell out.

Originally Posted by Lynn

I don't think it's really a matter of fair. You indicated your fault and therefore your responsibility. Her property, her damage and her choice regarding repair or not in my opinion. I don't think insurance companies look kindly on people when they know a vehicle is not repaired. Make sure you get a full release from this person regardless of how the matter is settled.

actually some of them, the companies, don't care. my car got savaged by a runaway shopping cart during a windstorm in a drugstore parking lot. i got an estimate of over 600 bucks, called my insurance company, and they paid me for anything over my 500 dollar deductible saying, we don't care if you fix it, but if you don't and the car is ever totalled, we're deducting this amount from your payoff. my left front fender crumpled like it was tinfoil.

So I went and met the lady at the body shop. I was suprised to see the damage was smaller than I thought, barely even visible on my camera phone.
The lady told me that her daugthter is getting married this weekend and this was one of a few things that happened to her in the last week, I said "Well hopefully that was number three, bad things always happen in three's" she had a good laugh, apparently this is number 13 LOL.
Turns out I know the owner of the shop, he tells us it will be $720+ tax, I was relieved. She arranges a time for the repair and we walk out. The guy follows me to my truck and says just bring $600 cash and have a nice day.
I also mentioned the release to her, she said she will sign it no problem.
Tuesday I have to go in to meet her and pay the shop, as of now I an happy with the outcome.
Thanks for the help everyone.

Nice! I love it when a plan comes together.

Not to hijack this thread I hope, but I was teaching my sister to drive the other day and she stamped on the gas instead of the brake in the garage! Hit the lawn tractor and both it and the car went straight though the wall into the laundry! Assessor arrives today, but I have to say the insurance people, both car and house and contents, were very nice on the phone. Total combined excesses of $900. I'm no expert, but it appears the damage to the house (two storey) was not structural - went through the plasterboard and took out the studwork only, I think.

Thank God we had checked with our car insurer that we were covered for learner drivers on our policy. The house and contents insurers are talking about recovering costs from the driver's insurer - pretty sure that's us!! haha!

James.