Parking lot accident...insurance?

[threecrazykids]

Well he's called HER insurance agent and they took a recorded "testimony" I guess you'd call it with him describing exactly how the accident happened. He also noted the prior damage to the agent and she stated thank you for reporting all prior damage etc, and stated it would be clearly noted on the claim (for what that's worth).

I'm going to have hubby call Wal-Mart tonight to see if they can pull the tapes.

I'm just assuming that the fact that her agent AND our agent called to say a claim had been made that she's looking to make some $. Not that it matters but her car was a really beat down early 90's Cavalier. So I'm guessing just replacing a little paint on the bumper shouldn't be too expensive.

So once the claim is made I'm assuming we would still have the option of paying for the bumper scuff out of pocket.

I'm really not trying to make light of the overall situation but I can't help but giggle at the thought of my hubby handing her a $5.00 bill and saying "here's the money I owe you for the scrape on the bumper".

I'm hoping all ends well and nothing big becomes of this mess.

 

[taximomfor4]

Just wanted to say that yes, both insurance companies often work on the claim together. Well, not "work together" but they do communicate, and often negotiate % of fault (which will also decide % that each company pays.)

Don't be surprised if it is a couple hundred $. In my years working at a large car insurance company, I realized that just looking sideways at a car's body costs $150, lol.

 

[disneymarie]

So I'm guessing just replacing a little paint on the bumper shouldn't be too expensive.

So once the claim is made I'm assuming we would still have the option of paying for the bumper scuff out of pocket.

I'm really not trying to make light of the overall situation but I can't help but giggle at the thought of my hubby handing her a $5.00 bill and saying "here's the money I owe you for the scrape on the bumper".

I'm hoping all ends well and nothing big becomes of this mess.

I hope you are correct, but I would add a few more 0's after that 5. Years ago my dd tapped a car in front of her. A co-worker stopped and actually showed him the black mark would rub off.....He still got $560 for the tap...
Most times we need a subpoena for any tapes before the company will provide them. Maybe for a civilian they will do it.
Just make sure it is not going to open a can of worms. If he is backing from spot and hits her car, that is a done deal....
You can not move your parked car until it can be done safely. The minute another car shows up, even if driving fast;(opinion) they still have the right of the road. There is no 50/50 in that case.

BUT< perhaps try to Keep the conversation, with the insurance co. at each taking care of their own damage is the best scenario; Argue that both were in motion, even though she had time to stop and yield she did not operate her car in a safe manner to avoid hitting the vehicle that was substantially in the driving lane.

If her side ask for a recorded statement, tell them no you will give a non-recorded. dh was in substantially in the driving lane to exit and the car in a careless (don't say reckless manner) failed to yield. Let him state to his carrier he would be willing not to put a claim into her carrier if each take care of their own damage....what does he have to loose. It is an arguable point his word to hers, for contributory damages.

If it is pursued aggressively by her carrier she will end up with a few hundred. BUT, you will have her information and if you know that after a reasonable amount of time she does not repair the car, that is insurance fraud....

 

[Mskanga]

ALWAYS call the police and get a report. My husband was side swiped last March and the guy who hit him gave conflincting information right from the start. The guy's insurance company offered me 50/50 fault initially and I declined because it was very clear that the guy had hit from the rear. They then denied responsibility and expected my insurance to pay for his damage , they made that decission based on the front blown tire that my husband got ( but no damage to the car ). They sent me pictures of the other vehicle and I could see damage to the front of his truck , when I asked them how did they exactly think he got that damage , their answer was that was probably from another accident BUT they were including that on my claim !!!!!
What they did not know is that I recorded every single phone call to and from them for my own records and in one of them I have two of their employees describing the conflicting discrepancies.
Ultimately the claim went into arbitration and since I had submitted a bunch of pictures , statements of the calls and dates and other things , their claim was denied and my husband was found not to be at fault , however they are still denying any responsibility to our damage and now we have to file a complaint in civil court.
Boy are they going to be surprised.......I think they think I got sick of it and went away.....

 

[plummer925]

If it is pursued aggressively by her carrier she will end up with a few hundred. BUT, you will have her information and if you know that after a reasonable amount of time she does not repair the car, that is insurance fraud....

This is not necessarily true - if you have an accident you are NOT required to fix your car - you can not, of course, claim that damage on another accident. It is NOT insurance fraud.

Lets say it this way: You have a car worth $5000. You get into an accident that causes $500 worth of damage. The car is now worth $4500. You get the $500 - you can CHOOSE to fix the car or not - it's your car - it's your choice.

At least here in Maine that is how it is!