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Someone Rear-Ended Me, Circumvent Insurance?
Daemonion
Mountain ManUSARegistered User regular
Mountain ManUSARegistered User regular
Ha.
So an acquaintance hit my my car while it was parked in their driveway.
Since my car isn't exactly cheap, I estimate $2-$5k in damages (GTI MkV, fully loaded).
Is there a problem with avoiding going through insurance so her premiums don't go up, and me basically handing her (ha, I know) the repair bill from the shop? Money isn't an issue. However, I am leaving in a few hours (and I was hit about 2 hours ago) to leave out of state for seven days, and don't really have anyone to handle anything regarding my car until I get back, so it pretty much has to sit for a week no matter what.
Thanks guys.
Posted only hours ago: The sweet, sweet irony
So an acquaintance hit my my car while it was parked in their driveway.
Since my car isn't exactly cheap, I estimate $2-$5k in damages (GTI MkV, fully loaded).
Is there a problem with avoiding going through insurance so her premiums don't go up, and me basically handing her (ha, I know) the repair bill from the shop? Money isn't an issue. However, I am leaving in a few hours (and I was hit about 2 hours ago) to leave out of state for seven days, and don't really have anyone to handle anything regarding my car until I get back, so it pretty much has to sit for a week no matter what.
Thanks guys.
Posted only hours ago: The sweet, sweet irony
Daemonion on
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This.
I seen enough Judge Judy to know how quickly things can turn bad.
It gives you the option of going the insurance route if she doesn't cough up, or pulls the old "I know I said I'd pay you back last month, but I will totally have the money in a fortnight's time".
And as for the pay you back, you have a time window for insurance claims. If she drags it out, you'll need to head to court and sue her. And that will be time consuming AND cost money. File an insurance claim against her.
Currently painting: Slowly [flickr]
Absolutely this. Unless this person is super important to you and you KNOW you can asolutely trust her, then maybe ignore insurance. But generally you shouldn't trust people with this much money.
I especially agree with the "maybe she'll watch the road better and won't hit a kid next time." The car was unmoving. People need to learn how to drive safely, I worry too much about people when I see bad drivers. Unfortunately the only way to make some people learn is to punish...
If not, you go through her insurance. Her premiums will go up but she won't pay as much out of pocket, and reminder: THIS IS WHY PEOPLE HAVE INSURANCE. To use it!
CUZ THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S GIVING ME A RASH
Tell her it could be worse. My dad once parked his car in front of his house, and it got totaled by a girl on the way back from her driving test.
If she has that many dings against her driving record, maybe she shouldn't be driving.
Currently painting: Slowly [flickr]
I can't get the car into a shop until I get back in another 4 days or so. How should I handle this, then?
Option A:
1. Take car to repair shop as soon as I return; get estimate
2. Show estimate to accidentee, ask if/how she intends to pay
3. If she cannot pay at all or in a timely manner, proceed to:
Option B:
1. Tell lady friend I decided to report the accident, tough luck
2. Call AAA, and be done with it
- or -
Option C:
1. Call lousy driver and ask how she would handle $1.5k - $5k worth of damage (estimate)
2. Based on her answer, proceed with option A or B
Call your insurance company ASAP. Even if you decide to not go after her insurance, you need to start the process. If an accident is not quickly reported, depending on your local auto laws, you may be shit out of luck.
Do you really have 1.5k to 5k laying around that you don't need?
Unless her driving record is atrocious, there is little way that her insurance premium increase will be worse than what the damages are to your car. Accidents fall off driving records in time.
Seriously, this does not sound like scratched paint, but real actual damage that has a way of getting really expensive really fast. File an insurance claim.
Currently painting: Slowly [flickr]
What I'd like to be able to do is this:
1. Open a claim
2. Take the car in to get a damage estimate
3. Show estimate to friend
4a. Friend can pay; sign something between us; cancel claim and handle under the table
4b. Friend can't pay; continue to move forward with claim
...or do I just need to forget about this whole "under the table" deal? I thought it would be helpful for her, but it sounds like it really won't be.
This is exactly what you should be doing. If you're involved in any accident you should be telling your insurance company, even if it wasn't your fault or you don't intend to claim. It doesn't count against you unless you actually proceed with the claim and the insurance company can't get the money back from the insurance company of the other party involved.
Listen to japan because he works (or worked?) in a claims department for an insurance company, so he knows what he's talking about.
Also what Pheezer and others have said about the likelihood that the increase in premiums will likely be less overall than forking out for the repairs herself. Although I guess some people prefer to handle one-off lump sum payments rather than increased monthly outgoings, even if the monthly increase is overall less than the one-off lump sum.
i.e. "That ding? that's like $300 TOPS"... when it's 3 bent body panels requiring dent pulling, bumper support replacement, bondo, sanding, paint, etc. and costing thousands
unless it really is just a scratch, you need to let her know that this will cost thousands, and she's much better off going through insurance