Fender Bender-good estimate? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mpolli · #16 01-09-2009, 08:36 PM

Why does he want to go outside of insurance? It is your fault right? I assume he just wants the cash. I would use your insurance. It probably won't raise your rate much unless you have other issues. IMHO.

Rudebutler · #17 01-09-2009, 09:22 PM

Wow-thank you for all the replies! I really appreciate all the feedback

I don't know why she offered to go outside insurance. This happened back in November. She was obviously an intelligent woman and of some means. (Big ring-turns out she is married to a Dr.) Maybe too many claims? I don't know. She did say she thought it was just the bumper and it would only cost a couple of hundred bucks. I knew better, and said that my deductible was $1000 and if it was any more than that we would have to go through insurance.

I didn't hear from her for over a month and thought she forgot about it. She said she had been busy and would get a couple of quotes. I didn't hear from her again until Tuesday. Her husband called, was nice enough, but said bill was $900.

I get the bill and I wonder if it's trumped up. Four and a half hours for painting-am I paying for the guy to watch the stuff dry

Look, I don't mind paying for what I did, but like mgburg said- I don't feel like I should get dragged through the barnyard.

Pete G has a great point that I didn't even think about-what if they do come back with some BS injury claim? But I agree with TW-I don't think they will and it should be fine.

After reading this, I'm leaning towards just paying them. It's my fault, and I've already inconvenienced them enough. It sounds like bumper work is dreadfully expensive. And I don't have much to gain-if I go through my insurance I still have to pay the full amount and I ruin my perfect driving record (and raise my rates). Besides, isn't it too late for me to file a claim? I should be less ignorant.

The bumper is most likely damaged-you could see the bolts pushing through the plastic cover. (Sorry, no amount of buffing was going to fix this) Even though I was just rolling, the 300 is heavy, solid- a nice hammer

mpolli · #18 01-09-2009, 10:54 PM

I think the deductible only applies to damage to your car. You don't have to pay if your insurance is covering the other car. Your rate may or may not go up.

Rudebutler · #19 01-09-2009, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpolli

I think the deductible only applies to damage to your car. You don't have to pay if your insurance is covering the other car. Your rate may or may not go up.

Really? I assumed the deductible was for any claim. I'll call tomorrow. Thanks!

t walgamuth · #20 01-09-2009, 11:10 PM

deductable applies to your own car.

Pete Geither · #21 01-10-2009, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I have settled many many accidents outside the insurance company. I currently have six vehicles insured. I used to have nine when all my kids were driving at once. You can get a claim any day, or more accurately you could have two or three in a day.

I have never had a bad experience from it.

We carry insurance for a reason. If you wreck a car every day,,, or two or three times a day, you deserve to pay high rates. In Pennsylvania if the claim is under $1350, your rates cannot be increased,,, I would check the laws in New York. The price for the bumper replacement sounds about right if done by the book. The lady could actually hit you up for a rental vehicle also. Another thing,,,, in 25 years in the business, I have never heard of the person being hit want to avoid using insurance. All the more reason to get them involved.

Hatterasguy · #22 01-10-2009, 11:34 AM

My two cents. Any accidents involving my car I call the cops, I don't care what the other people say. Without a police report it never happend. I have a camra and will take a picture of them and there plate if they want to run and add a hit and run to it. Fine with me.

Also I pay for insurance for a reason, so it will get used.

tankdriver · #23 01-10-2009, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudebutler

I knew better, and said that my deductible was $1000 and if it was any more than that we would have to go through insurance.

That's why the estimate is $950.

Rudebutler · #24 01-12-2009, 04:05 PM

I called my insurance company (the one with the reptilian mascot) and the agent said she could not tell me if this claim would make my rates go up, but that the deductible was only for claims on damage to my car. She said the underwriters decide these things and I can't call them. NOBODY can call them.

I remembered that one of my former student's father worked in auto body. He said the estimate was accurate and probably cheaper than his shop would have given.

Ugh, so what to do? How much does insurance in NY typically go up when you file a claim? Anyone know (except for those elusive underwriters)?

Hatterasguy · #25 01-12-2009, 04:49 PM

Its probably to late to go through insurance. For starters you don't have a police report...

Rudebutler · #26 01-12-2009, 06:13 PM

No, the nice woman at "gecko" insurance said it was not too late to file a claim. You don't need a police report to file a claim- although I have learned that you should get one if possible, especially if you are not at fault.