help, fender bender, trying to pay out of pocket, other guy has upper hand

[chesthair 231]

Long story short...my 15 year old, permitted driver dinged a guy in the parking lot the other day.  It was basically a fender "rub' but there was a very small dent on the qtr panel.  I told the guy i would like to pay out of pocket vs filing insurance.  Well, he sent me his estimate today and it was $10,000.  Granted, its a brand new, 2019 lexus but $10K???

I asked if we could get another estimate and waiting to hear back from him.  Obviously he holds the cards.  Any thoughts other than kill my kid as a sacrifice? 

[Iceman 2805]

counter with tree-fiddy.

[MonkeyDoughnut 10452]

Is there a reason you're not filing insurance? That's the reason you have it no?

[chesthair 231]

2 minutes ago, MonkeyDoughnut said:

Is there a reason you're not filing insurance? That's the reason you have it no?

2 teenage drivers is already $$$$$$$  I imagine a claim like this would kill me.

[MonkeyDoughnut 10452]

Just now, chesthair said:

2 teenage drivers is already $$$$$$$  I imagine a claim like this would kill me.

Lol... Understood was there previously with 3... (still am with 2)... all boys.. every time I added one my insurance doubled... not to mention the added cars, gas etc

That said, can't stress enough to shop around on insurance each and every year with teenagers.

Hopefully the guy won't  be a complete dick and get you a couple quotes so know if reasonable. Good luck

 

[Telegraph_it 3374]

It was in a parking lot though and no one was cited, correct? $10k is a bullshit estimate, I don't care if its a 2019 Lexus (not like it is a Dodge Stratus). I'd let the dude file unless he comes back with something in the ballpark of $2k.

[chesthair 231]

cops were there, no citation (cop said "that will buff out").  ill post pic in a minute.  

[Onboard 2.0 9083]

7 minutes ago, chesthair said:

cops were there, no citation (cop said "that will buff out").  ill post pic in a minute.  

Did he look like this guy ?

Edited April 21, 2020 by Onboard 2.0

[Your Mom 4871]

Insurance will go up but I can’t imagine it would go up more than the cost of a honest legit repair job.  $10k is total bullshit but I could see it easily exceeding a  grand or two. Size of the dent seems irrelevant. He’s gonna have to repaint and possibly replace the whole panel to get a decent match. Nobody’s going to bondo up a Lexus. I’ve been on the other side of that argument with a guy trying to get me to go cheap on a repair and avoid filing. No thanks, when it’s my car I’m gonna get it fixed properly. But yeah, not at $10k. 
 

Seems like I read awhile back that efforts to avoid claims almost always end up costing more than the premium increase would have been. I’m on the “that’s why you have insurance” side. 

[StruggleBus 3922]

Use your insurance, dingus

[chesthair 231]

yup, looking that way. he isnt interested in getting a 2nd.  reading the estimate, there is glass work, antenna, TPMS, etc.  wtf, its maybe 2 inches long on the rear qtr panel. 

[C-Man 27354]

Here's the exercise I go through with clients all the time. We might need to adjust the numbers at some point as auto rates have gone into the stratosphere because cars are more expensive to repair and there's a lot more distracted driving. For a long time, the rule has seemed to be (assuming no injuries) and less than $3K in property damage, I would advise stroking a check and moving on if you're in position to do this. The issue with filing a claim -- beyond your rates going up for the next 3-5 years -- is that having any (or multiple) claims on your CLU/MVR reports will make you less attractive to other insurers down the road if/when you go shopping. I'm seeing some companies that will not even offer terms if there's a single claim on your report (towing, glass, at-fault accident, etc). Your kid is not even a licensed driver and is going to have a NAF claim on his record -- oy vey?

You're right that this guy holds the cards -- sort of. If he's going to hold to the $10K to repair it and will not get another estimate, tell him to pound sand and let your insurance handle things. You can ask him to see the body shop's work order to justify the $10K if you want. He doesn't have to give it to you. Best to talk to your agent, though, and determine best course of action for you. If you are with a direct writer, however, you might not get much (if any) advisement in this area.

[C-Man 27354]

8 minutes ago, chesthair said:

yup, looking that way. he isnt interested in getting a 2nd.  reading the estimate, there is glass work, antenna, TPMS, etc.  wtf, its maybe 2 inches long on the rear qtr panel. 

The electronics are fucking expensive. Again, if it's going to be $10K use your insurance. No brainer.

[Orange&White 5555]

The other thing you need to remember about trying to do this without Insurance is that body shops typically take 2-4 weeks to complete even the smallest of jobs. That guy is going to be expecting a rental car during that time to get around. Your insurance company will provide that to him as part of your policy. You'll have to pay that out of pocket in addition to the cost of the body shop if you go without your insurance company.

 

[NeverMarryAStripper 22030]

Tell him to fuck off and you'll see him in court

[chesthair 231]

38 minutes ago, Orange&White said:

The other thing you need to remember about trying to do this without Insurance is that body shops typically take 2-4 weeks to complete even the smallest of jobs. That guy is going to be expecting a rental car during that time to get around. Your insurance company will provide that to him as part of your policy. You'll have to pay that out of pocket in addition to the cost of the body shop if you go without your insurance company.

 

goddammittttttttttttttttttt

[fattyflattie 4639]

Insurance. Let your insurance fight him over his 10k estimate. 

[Iceman 2805]

52 minutes ago, NeverMarryAStripper said:

Tell him to fuck off and you'll see him in court

This is where I'm at if he's taking Douchebag Boulevard...

Gotdam dude, I'm not buying you a new boat because your anchor got a nick in it.

 

In the end, I'm likely calling my insurance and having them hash it out.  It's a nick in the quarterpanel, not a fucking lottery ticket.

Edited April 21, 2020 by Iceman

[ChickenSandwich 9856]

2 hours ago, chesthair said:

Long story short...my 15 year old, permitted driver dinged a guy in the parking lot the other day.  It was basically a fender "rub' but there was a very small dent on the qtr panel.  I told the guy i would like to pay out of pocket vs filing insurance.  Well, he sent me his estimate today and it was $10,000.  Granted, its a brand new, 2019 lexus but $10K???

I asked if we could get another estimate and waiting to hear back from him.  Obviously he holds the cards.  Any thoughts other than kill my kid as a sacrifice? 

Lexus 3 stage paint is ungodly expensive if they are doing any paint work.  Got a "bump" at a light in one back in the day.  $2K for the tiniest chip in the bumper.  It's a new car, they aren't going to let someone from craigslist buff it out.  Let the insurance handle it

[Quagmire 2147]

Fuck his wife

[deadshank 24653]

1 hour ago, Quagmire said:

Fuck his wife

Uh, what if his wife's name is Larry?

[Deej 77182]

Back in the day, you could just have a Shaggy member toss a rock through his window. 

[Your Mom 4871]

24 minutes ago, Deej said:

Back in the day, you could just have a Shaggy member toss a rock through his window. 

Same guy would've fucked his wife too... wait no.. not the wife.

[Bevo&Pevo 5390]

I'd definitely find a way to get 10k worth of satisfaction and my kid would be mowing grass until he left the haus.

[Js1 85764]

[El Diablo 4232]

Do whatever but take the keys away from Junior. If he hasn't learned to drive by 15, he's not likely to get any better anytime soon.

[Kennythetiger 9500]

Give him your kid.

[CooterBrown 18094]

Don’t bother even calling your insurance, that’s his job. He may not even report a claim. I once pulled forward out of a spot and didn’t know the guy next to me had his door open. My truck caught it and bent it all to shit. Gave him my insurance info and left. He never submitted a claim.

[HRSchenker 2292]

Not sure why people are balking at the price. This is what $10k in damage to a Tesla looks like

[RPM 26430]

A dead imgur link?

[SquishMitten 10463]

He might not be lying, but the point about the rental car is a good one. Someone rolled into the back of my wife’s 5 yo Lexus, the damage was barely visible, but the whole panel and backing had to be replaced. It was ~$6k.

[chesthair 231]

i told him to file.  he wouldnt get another estimate.  fuck it, im done with it.  jr is doing about 100 miles per day...gotta get back on that horse and get a handle on it.  

[Steel Shank 9440]

@chesthair, sounds like you might be in the market for one of my t-shirts "I'd rather be laying pipe."

[ShaggyBevo RIP 3868]

On 4/21/2020 at 1:11 PM, chesthair said:

2 teenage drivers is already $$$$$$$  I imagine a claim like this would kill me.

$10K worth of increase? Doubt it

[ShaggyBevo RIP 3868]

On 4/21/2020 at 1:37 PM, Your Mom said:

Insurance will go up but I can’t imagine it would go up more than the cost of a honest legit repair job.  $10k is total bullshit but I could see it easily exceeding a  grand or two. Size of the dent seems irrelevant. He’s gonna have to repaint and possibly replace the whole panel to get a decent match. Nobody’s going to bondo up a Lexus. I’ve been on the other side of that argument with a guy trying to get me to go cheap on a repair and avoid filing. No thanks, when it’s my car I’m gonna get it fixed properly. But yeah, not at $10k. 
 

Seems like I read awhile back that efforts to avoid claims almost always end up costing more than the premium increase would have been. I’m on the “that’s why you have insurance” side. 

I'd expect $5-6.5K but not $10K.

Edited April 22, 2020 by ShaggyBevo RIP

[Sbbruin 21912]

On 4/21/2020 at 10:11 AM, chesthair said:

2 teenage drivers is already $$$$$$$  I imagine a claim like this would kill me.

My permitted son cost me nothing additional for the first 6 months.  Then when he was permitted for 6 months, our premium jumped $3,600.  Fucking kids.  And he can't even go get his license cuz all the DMV's are closed.

[Sbbruin 21912]

18 hours ago, Kennythetiger said:

Give him your kid.

And he can make your kid his butler.  There's precedent for that.

[NWBuck 8590]

18 minutes ago, Sbbruin said:

And he can make your kid his butler.  There's precedent for that.

 

[Beau Vine 54881]

On 4/21/2020 at 12:11 PM, chesthair said:

2 teenage drivers is already $$$$$$$  I imagine a claim like this would kill me.

It's going to happen sooner or later.  The sooner it happens, the sooner your overpriced insurance company drops your policy and you get kicked into the state pool.

[40acredropout 2908]

Bump.  Literally.

Got in a fender bender.  Dumb bitch started to accelerate through very beginning of yellow light and then absolutely slammed on brakes.  Like puppies walking across the crosswalk slammed on brakes.  Maybe I'm the dumb bitch because I rear ended her pretty good.

I dinged up the bumper of her Subaru but nothing major;  front end of my sensible sedan took the brunt of it.  She agreed to work with me and settle outside of insurance and got a quote at $3.2k which feels reasonable.  Should I have her sign a simple form releasing me of any further liability / stating she won't go back and report to insurance after the fact?  If so, is that something any of the Surly Law Mafia might have on hand?

Edited June 10, 2022 by 40acredropout

[PilotsError 2338]

if she has an IQ higher than a rock she'd refuse to sign it and tell you to fuck off.

[George 493]

Why the fuck would you consider paying that out of pocket?  How much is it going to cost to fix your car on top of the 3.2k min you’d pay her?

 

[Dutchrudder 11160]

I really don't understand why people own insurance if they aren't going to use it. Unless your deductible is 3.2k, it makes no sense.  Mine is $500 so anything 1000+ will definitely go to insurance.  

[RPM 26430]

Subaru bumpers are $3,200? 

 

Spoiler

How much does it cost to replace a Subaru rear bumper?

 

 

In general, most people should expect to spend between $225 and $750. 

 

[CooterBrown 18094]

Use the insurance. Your rate won’t go up much, if at all, unless you’re having accidents frequently.

I rear ended a brand new Blazer a few years ago. No idea on what that cost to repair that car but my bill to repair my Mercedes was $12,000. My insurance didn’t go up one dollar. Liberty Mutual accident forgiveness is actually real.

[SquishMitten 10463]

So you’d rather come out of pocket $6-$10k than risk a slight increase to your premium?

But to answer your question, I think her insurance company might have a few things to say about her filing a claim for something she’s already been paid for. And if something new comes up, like back problems, then she should have every right to either seek more money from you or through insurance.