Joined Mar 2014
L7: Teacher
Forum Thread
Responsible party pays for accident...
April 12, 2018 at
09:44 AM
Involved in a fender-bender where my parked car was hit by another person's work truck. They want to pay all the costs (i.e. bypass insurance) and the preliminary estimate is 3K. Probably will be more. Other party has yet to balk. I am arranging for a rental car on my own which they say they'll reimburse, but I'm trying to think what can possibly go wrong here and my anxiety is mounting with the $ involved.
My brain says:
- They stiff me on the repair work or refuse to repair with OEM parts.
- They stiff me on the rental car
- Body shop cuts corners with repair based on pressure from responsible party.
Anything else I haven't thought of? I can't afford to pay this out of pocket and get "paid back" later, which would be ideal since I'm paying the body shop. If it's someone else that is paying, there is less incentive for them to deal directly with me although I own the car.
My brain says:
- They stiff me on the repair work or refuse to repair with OEM parts.
- They stiff me on the rental car
- Body shop cuts corners with repair based on pressure from responsible party.
Anything else I haven't thought of? I can't afford to pay this out of pocket and get "paid back" later, which would be ideal since I'm paying the body shop. If it's someone else that is paying, there is less incentive for them to deal directly with me although I own the car.
About the OP
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If you can't afford to pay the body shop, then you should go through their insurance. Otherwise make the responsible party pay, and tell the body shop you're in charge.
If you can't afford to pay the body shop, then you should go through their insurance. Otherwise make the responsible party pay, and tell the body shop you're in charge.
I DO have photos of the car in its parked location. I wasn't home so no pictures of other vehicle. Unfortunately 5K (assuming worst-case scenario), while I can float it on a credit card, would wipe out my emergency fund if coming due, and if it costs more than that would...not be good. Other party did not balk at the initial estimate which is a good sign.
I guess I will swing by the body shop to "check in" and let them know who owns the car. It's a local outfit that has a good reputation so that should help with things. Thanks.
I DO have photos of the car in its parked location. I wasn't home so no pictures of other vehicle. Unfortunately 5K (assuming worst-case scenario), while I can float it on a credit card, would wipe out my emergency fund if coming due, and if it costs more than that would...not be good. Other party did not balk at the initial estimate which is a good sign.
I guess I will swing by the body shop to "check in" and let them know who owns the car. It's a local outfit that has a good reputation so that should help with things. Thanks.
Also, depending on your insurance (I don't know if this applies if you only have the bare minimum liability insurance) you might be able call them and tell them what happened, pay your deductible and get it fixed. And they'll collect money form the guilty party and reimburse you for the deductible after they get paid.
Most likely the one paying out of pocket is doing so to save a whole lot more money in the long run so they won't worry too much about trying to knock a couple hundred dollars off of the repairs.
Isn't there some rule ~75% for damage/repairing a car?
You get cash, but you loose your car and probably have to pay extra to buy a used one in similar condition.
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Also, depending on your insurance (I don't know if this applies if you only have the bare minimum liability insurance) you might be able call them and tell them what happened, pay your deductible and get it fixed. And they'll collect money form the guilty party and reimburse you for the deductible after they get paid.
Thanks. This is good advice. They were working on the house I'm renting so landlord probably has insurance info I could get if push comes to shove. My vehicle was parked so I have no liability in the situation...my insurance is the last straw if it comes down to it, which hopefully it will not. I don't need my rates going up.
Owner of business is paying.
I was thinking about this, but the OP didn't indicate which state the accident occurred in.