? about car accident repairs

[hereyago]

Ok, so I was involved in an accident over the weekend. I just had the car looked at by a body shop as well as the guy's car insurance company.

His insurance company told me that he-the guy who hit me and never apologized or asked if I or kids in the car were all right offered to pay out of pocket the damages as well as a rental car while my car is in the shop.


His insurance company actually advised me not doing this, not that I would because I would have to deal with him, but is he just trying to not have his insurance go up?


I mean, I have paid out of pocket for a windshield that was cracked, but I am not about to pay all that money, that is what insurance is for.

 

[MickeySP]

As far as asking if you guys were alright, pretty common not to. I really don't get why his insurance co would even mention it, points off for not being polite?

I would not let him pay, use his insurance. If you make a deal with him and he dosen't honor it, well welcome to court action.

BTW yes he is trying to avoid surcharges to his insurance.

 

[hereyago]

As far as asking if you guys were alright, pretty common not to. I really don't get why his insurance co would even mention it, points off for not being polite?

I would not let him pay, use his insurance. If you make a deal with him and he dosen't honor it, well welcome to court action.

BTW yes he is trying to avoid surcharges to his insurance.

I have only been in a few accidents thankfully,but I have -even if I was the one hit asked if the person was all right. I had 2 kids in the car and one kid was on the side that got hit. There was no way he could dispute not being at fault, witnesses, one was off duty cop, so yes he could have asked if we were all right. 77 years old, i would think would have some home training.

I was kind of surprised that his insurance company told me he was offering to pay, however not too shocked as he told me that he wasn't even going to use his insurance for his damage, but then he told me he sent pics in and he was there at the adjuster place today and still not a word to me.

But like I wrote, I would have to deal with him if I did that and I have had enough of him. Would his insurance go up that much?

 

[DVC-Don]

Use the insurance route. That way if there is any hidden damage that requires a suppliment to the original estimate (very common) there'll be no issues with the guy. If he is surcharged depends on how much is paid out on his behalf.

Whether he asked if you are alright or not has no bearing on the loss.

 

[lovesmurfs]

Ok, so I was involved in an accident over the weekend. I just had the car looked at by a body shop as well as the guy's car insurance company.

His insurance company told me that he-the guy who hit me and never apologized or asked if I or kids in the car were all right offered to pay out of pocket the damages as well as a rental car while my car is in the shop.


His insurance company actually advised me not doing this, not that I would because I would have to deal with him, but is he just trying to not have his insurance go up?


I mean, I have paid out of pocket for a windshield that was cracked, but I am not about to pay all that money, that is what insurance is for.

Go through the insurance company -- that is what it's for.

His rates are going up, regardless. DH had a minor claim about an accident and a check was sent to us for it. We decided to pay OOP and sent the check back. Our rates still went up.

 

[camlace]

His insurance company told me that he-the guy who hit me and never apologized or asked if I or kids in the car were all right offered to pay out of pocket the damages as well as a rental car while my car is in the shop.

Asking if you are ok or apologizing is perceived admission of fault. Not suprised he didn't do either. Is it the right thing to do as one human onto another...of course. But in today's litigious society...even perceived admission of fault can make you liable for something.

 

[LindaG4458]

Go with the insurance company. Actually, go with your own insurance company and let them handle all discussion with his company.

I was rear-ended a little more than a year ago in heavy traffic in FL. Rather than deal with him or his company I called my own. They asked if I wanted to handle it myself and I said "Heck, NO!!!" I filed a report with them, they paid for my repairs and then collected from his company. I never spoke with him or his company after we left the scene of the accident.

It was much easier to handle and nobody was pressuring me to accept less than was justified for repair.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Go with the insurance company. Actually, go with your own insurance company and let them handle all discussion with his company.

I was rear-ended a little more than a year ago in heavy traffic in FL. Rather than deal with him or his company I called my own. They asked if I wanted to handle it myself and I said "Heck, NO!!!" I filed a report with them, they paid for my repairs and then collected from his company. I never spoke with him or his company after we left the scene of the accident.

It was much easier to handle and nobody was pressuring me to accept less than was justified for repair.

Yup, you should go first party (if you had collision) then your carrier will subrogate to get your deductible back and the money paid out to you. They take the hassle, thats why you purchase that insurance, pass the "angst" to them! You will get your vehicle repaired faster, and not have to deal with anyone trying to pass the negligence onto you for even the smallest amount!
Good Luck and so glad you are all okay!.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Really? How nice of him to offer to pay out of pocket....NOT! Tell his insurance company while it is interesting that he is offering OOP, tell him to go pound sand, in a nice way.

 

[swanmom]

Please, please use his insurance copy. For a different reason than others have mentioned but a VERY important one. We have been trying for years to get my MIL off the road. She has had numerous 'fender-benders,' and two moderately serious accidents. In each case, she has put on her 'little old lady' face for the other parties (crying, shaking, telling them her heart was failing, etc.) and gotten them to agree to settle with her personally. On three occasions, she has talked them out of calling the police because they feel sorry for her!!! Whenever we bring up the subject, she can then tell us that there can't be any problem because "If my insurance company thought I was such a danger then they'd drop me." Holy Denial, Batman!! She's no dummy.....they can't take do anything if they don't know what has been happening. I truly wish that the people involved would have made sure that her insurance company knew. Eventually there would be enough 'history' on her that they could take action.

 

[golfgal]

Depending on his state his insurance will still go up because he will have an accident on his report. It will go up more if they pay out a claim, but it will still go up. I agree with everyone else, go through the insurance not only because you might not get the money from him but if someone ends up a few days later with an injury from the accident-whiplash, etc.--is he going to pay all your medical bills too (doubt it).

 

[LisaNJ25]

Please, please use his insurance copy. For a different reason than others have mentioned but a VERY important one. We have been trying for years to get my MIL off the road. She has had numerous 'fender-benders,' and two moderately serious accidents. In each case, she has put on her 'little old lady' face for the other parties (crying, shaking, telling them her heart was failing, etc.) and gotten them to agree to settle with her personally. On three occasions, she has talked them out of calling the police because they feel sorry for her!!! Whenever we bring up the subject, she can then tell us that there can't be any problem because "If my insurance company thought I was such a danger then they'd drop me." Holy Denial, Batman!! She's no dummy.....they can't take do anything if they don't know what has been happening. I truly wish that the people involved would have made sure that her insurance company knew. Eventually there would be enough 'history' on her that they could take action.

Yikes!! Are you in Morris County? Let me know when she in on the road.

 

[swanmom]

Yikes!! Are you in Morris County? Let me know when she in on the road.

No, Lisa. We're in Essex. (So you're safe ) But that's why it's so difficult to get a handle on this. She lives in Baltimore and knows that it's almost impossible to enforce any driving limits on her when we're in another city!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Go to your insurance company. They are being paid to work for you. Don't sign anything from the other driver or his insurance company.

The worst that may happen is you may have to pay your Collison deductible up front, but as soon as your company collects from him (or his insurance) you will get your money back. And you may not even have to pay the deductible.

But going through your company will get professionals on your side.

And also don't sign anything with a lawyer who may want to represent you; if you do nobody will talk to you and the lawyer will get a sizable percentage of any settlement. Only use a lawyer if you have injuries and cannot get a good settlement on your own.