What would you do?: A good friend just backed into my car!!

[stargrazer]

I'm sure she feels bad enough that it happened; let her get her insurance to pay it. It will work better for both of you in the end.

You're a nice guy though. Be real careful with that!

 

[Dina]

Insurance-- definitely. That's why we have it. When I was 16 my friend and I were in a bad car accident. We were hit and the driver took off (after he stumbled over to our car saw us crying and bleeding ran back to his car turned off his headlights and drove away--- he was stoned) . We were both hurt, and could sue for pain and suffering. We both sued my insurance company (through my uninsured motorist coverage)--- My rates may have went up a little, but I definitely didn't have any hard feelings. My mom went to her parents (we were both hurt pretty badly), and said we were going to sue my insurance company, and if they wanted to do the same there wouldn't be any hard feelings(since, again the driver who hit us was never found). She was one of my bridesmaids 14 years later--- I wasn't mad a bit (neither were my parents).

 

[cardaway]

If the person who caused it had the cash I would always take the cash.

No way would I split it unless we were partially at fault. If riends make mistakes, friends should fix mistakes.

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

You could compromise and take it for an estimate, have her pay the estimated cost and then take it to the dealer and pay the difference.

 

[Pop Daddy]

is she sexy

 

[Buckalew11]

I ran over my dad's car once and I'm trying to remember...I think my insurance paid for it. No hard feelings since it was a Saturn that my mom had talked him into and he was a diehard Ford man, LOL. Of course, no one in the family has let me forget it..."Don't park behind Brenda..." etc. etc. etc.

I'm sure your friend feels absolutely terrible tonight. I know I did esp. since this car was 6 months old. I think you even thinking of paying for it yourself to try to save her $ is such a wonderful thought on your part. I've known a few people who would probably do that type thing too. (My dad just wasn;t one of them, LOL J/K)

 

[kidzmom3]

I am surprised its even a discussion for you. If I was her, I would already have called my insurance company. Are they waiting for you to just take care of it? Did something they said to your wife make you think they don't want to go the insurance route?

 

[figment52]

My DBIL backed into my car TWICE. The first time my car was 2 months old. I was parked in the driveway at their house. His insurance covered it both times. He gets a lot of teasing and I just don't park in the driveway anymore.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Little update:

I took the car into the dealership and the damage was estimated at a little under $1000.00, far cheaper than I thought it would be. I told the body shop at Mercedes to go ahead and repair the car and I'd take care of the bill out of pocket.

I called our friends and spoke to the wife. She told me that she was so sorry, felt stupid, didn't sleep at all last night and had already called her insurance company to report the incident. I told her to call them back and tell them that it wouldn't be necessary and that I would cover the damage myself. She asked if could please pay for half the repair bill and I told no but they could definitely pay for dinner next time we all get together. She said "Absolutely!" and thanked me again. I guess all's well that ends well!

 

[Bob Slydell]

I called our friends and spoke to the wife. She told me that she was so sorry, felt stupid, didn't sleep at all last night and had already called her insurance company to report the incident. I told her to call them back and tell them that it wouldn't be necessary and that I would cover the damage myself. She asked if could please pay for half the repair bill and I told no but they could definitely pay for dinner next time we all get together. She said "Absolutely!" and thanked me again. I guess all's well that ends well!

If the concern on her part is her insurance rates, she's already opened that can of worms. The insurance company will make a note of the fact that she had an accident, cost or no cost, and her rates will potentially be adjusted accordingly. The phone call back to the insurance company will do her no good at this point, unfortunately.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

If the concern on her part is her insurance rates, she's already opened that can of worms. The insurance company will make a note of the fact that she had an accident, cost or no cost, and her rates will potentially be adjusted accordingly. The phone call back to the insurance company will do her no good at this point, unfortunately.

I was concerned that that could be the case. I wish she would have waited to talk to me before she called. I certainly hope they take it easy on her.

 

[Bob Slydell]

I was concerned that that could be the case. I wish she would have waited to talk to me before she called. I certainly hope they take it easy on her.

I hope so. It was an extremely nice and generous gesture on your part, BTW.

 

[PghLybrt]

Personally, I couldn't imagine a "best friend" allowing me to pay for damage that she caused. If she can't afford the repair, she needs to call her insurance company.

I just guess we have different friends, we come from different walks of life.
For example My sister in law is a single mom....works 60 hours has 2 in daycare there is no way she can squeeze any more money from anything for anything. If her insurance went up even $20 that would put her out, seriously. And if she hit me, yes I would pay it.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I hope so. It was an extremely nice and generous gesture on your part, BTW.

Thanks, Bob

 

[cybrkitn]

WWYD?
Make her insurance pay. That is what it is there for.

ITA. At my DS's birthday party last year, my FIL backed out of the driveway and hit into my brother's car. My FIL was and went through his insurance. My brother didn't have to lay out a dime. I believe FIL's car insurance paid for it to be fixed, but I'm not sure on that.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Too late. I WAS going to say that she could easily replace your bumper by just paying for it and not going through the insurance company. So sad that we all pay for insurance and then don't use it so we won't have to pay more...they've got a great deal going there.

But she called them. Oh, well. I can't imagine they'd go too hard on her for it. Hope not!

 

[Cool-Beans]

is she sexy

I ran over my dad's car once...
..."Don't park behind Brenda..." etc. etc. etc.

I love the DIS. You guys crack me up.

Two years ago a stranger did a *whoop* on the ice and hit my bumper. I told her to forget it. But I have an SUV. A fender bender is still a fender bender and if you don't care about the bumper, no damage.

If it were a friend - at this point in my life - I wouldn't even take $1000 for damage. I'd just repair it myself. But there was a day where I'd have taken them up on the offer to pay.

I'm glad you all were able to work it out. All's well that ends well!

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I wouldn't worry too much about her phone call to her insurance company.

My car's bumper was scratched (pretty deep I may add, actually would say gouged) in the parking lot at work (which is gated, so it was a coworker who wouldn't fess up but that's another story for another time). I wasn't sure what all it would entail to fix it. So I called my insurance company about what I could do. I never filed a claim, just talked, so my isurance wasn't affected.

Laugh O. Grams, you are good one.

 

[Tinker74]

So she hits your brand new car and YOU are paying the $1000 cost to repair.
I don't get it...unless you are rich and the $1000 is a drop in the ocean.
You are obviously a very nice man but I can't help feeling that if I was your friends there is no way on earth I would take the $1000 from my best friends for something that was totally my fault.
I would be mortified if I crashed their brand new merc and even if i was stumped for cash i would find someway to pay it back.

 

[DVC-Don]

With our company, if the payout is less than $1200 there is no surcharge. Also if insured for a certain number of years, they forgive the first acc. (no, it's not Allstate.)