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

[Laugh O. Grams]

So my wife just came home from our friends' house and said she had some bad news. She went on to say that the wife of one of my best friends backed into the front of my brand new '07 Mercedes that my wife was borrowing. I'm only listing the name brand so that you can get an idea of how much a new bumper might cost! Anyway, she said that her insurance will cover the damage, but I feel bad, as it was an honest accident and I believe her insurance rates will go up, right? I'm siting here right now considering possibly even splitting the cost with her or even covering it myself so their insurance doesn't take a hit. I guess the question is, if it was your car, what would you do?

 

[SwedishMeatball]

Most accidents are an honest mistake. If the shoe were on the other foot, what would you expect?? I guess I would give them the option of paying for it without going through the insurance company. Is it a financial issue that your friend can't afford it?? Perhaps set up a payment plan. I might consider splitting it, but I doubt I'd cover the entire thing out of my own pocket. Did anybody else see the episode of King of Queens last night when Doug and Deacon were looking into the strip club and rear ended Carrie and Deacon's wife??

 

[The Mystery Machine]

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

 

[ducklite]

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

Yup. And as long as theylve got clean records, their insurance probably won't go up for a single minor accident.

Anne

 

[Skatermom23]

I used to share a drive way with my neighbor and he was backing out one morning and didn't look and smacked into the side of my Toyota Sienna. It was parked a little ways down but on my side. We both always did that since we had multiple cars. I let his insurance company pay for it all. So I guess I say let the insurance company handle it.

 

[DawnCt1]

Give her the option of paying it out of pocket. Get an estimate from someone you trust for an "out of pocket" settlement. If its too high, she can put it through her insurance, BUT time is of the essence. If it looks like it is going to be costly, let her know immediately. Someone side swiped DS#3 and wanted to pay out of pocket. The passenger mirror was destroyed, and the front and side panel were damaged. Cost $1900. That gives you an idea.

 

[chris1gill]

If she backed into your new car, their insurance needs to pay, but if money isn't an issue in this case, you could split the costs I guess... Either way, I wouldn't be happy if I were you....

 

[PghLybrt]

If it was me and it was my best friends, I would just cover the damage myself. I know I make much more than they do, not trying to be smart it is just a fact. Now if they are not great friends maybe split it ,unless they feel that their insurance rates are good as their driving record.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Most accidents are an honest mistake. If the shoe were on the other foot, what would you expect?? I guess I would give them the option of paying for it without going through the insurance company. Is it a financial issue that your friend can't afford it?? Perhaps set up a payment plan. I might consider splitting it, but I doubt I'd cover the entire thing out of my own pocket. Did anybody else see the episode of King of Queens last night when Doug and Deacon were looking into the strip club and rear ended Carrie and Deacon's wife??

No, to be honest, I really don't think that it would be something that she could afford to swing out of pocket without it hurting. If it was me, I would definitely either pay for it myself or let insurance handle it. I just don't want any hard feelings. We're very tight with this couple...

 

[MUFFYCAT]

Did anybody else see the episode of King of Queens last night when Doug and Deacon were looking into the strip club and rear ended Carrie and Deacon's wife??

Many times I love that show.

I would ask her if she wanted to pay out of pocket. I wouldn't want to see her insurance rates go up for innocent mistake.

 

[ilovejack02]

I'd give her the option, pay up or file insurance. I love all my friends and dont want to cause hardship, but they dont pay my bills and I expect them to fix anything they screw up.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Give her the option of paying it out of pocket. Get an estimate from someone you trust for an "out of pocket" settlement. If its too high, she can put it through her insurance, BUT time is of the essence. If it looks like it is going to be costly, let her know immediately. Someone side swiped DS#3 and wanted to pay out of pocket. The passenger mirror was destroyed, and the front and side panel were damaged. Cost $1900. That gives you an idea.

I hear you, but the thing is, I want to take it to Mercedes to have it fixed. The car doesn't have but about 2500 miles on it and I want it back perfect like it was. I have a feeling that it won't be cheap. I'm taking it in tomorrow morning for an estimate.

 

[Beth76]

I just don't want any hard feelings. We're very tight with this couple...

There should be no hard feelings; she damaged your car--accident or not. Of course she didn't mean to--no one ever means to hit another car with theirs. If it was a total stranger would you let it go? Doubt it.

 

[Oreo Cookie]

Give her the option of paying it out of pocket. Get an estimate from someone you trust for an "out of pocket" settlement. If its too high, she can put it through her insurance, BUT time is of the essence. If it looks like it is going to be costly, let her know immediately. Someone side swiped DS#3 and wanted to pay out of pocket. The passenger mirror was destroyed, and the front and side panel were damaged. Cost $1900. That gives you an idea.

I agree with you. Years ago I hit the back bumper of a friend who had a mercedes, and the cost back then was a little over $5000 (I'm sure I did a little moe damage than bumper, the trunk was indented), so needless to say we went through insurance. I felt really bad that I hit her car to begin with, it was my fault and I was more than willing to pay.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I agree with you. Years ago I hit the back bumper of a friend who had a mercedes, and the cost back then was a little over $5000 (I'm sure I did a little moe damage than bumper, the trunk was indented), so needless to say we went through insurance. I felt really bad that I hit her car to begin with, it was my fault and I was more than willing to pay.

Well that's cetainly reassuring. And no hard feelings?

 

[Oreo Cookie]

Well that's cetainly reassuring. And no hard feelings?

Oh no hard feelings at all. This happened back in 1994 and we are still good friends. I can't believe how STUPID I was. We both worked at the same company and left for lunch at the same time. She was in front of me at a stop sign and we were both making right hand turns. I thought she started to go and I accelerated into the back of the car. It was my own stupid fault, and I was just happy that she wasn't upset with me.

 

[DawnCt1]

If it was me and it was my best friends, I would just cover the damage myself. I know I make much more than they do, not trying to be smart it is just a fact. Now if they are not great friends maybe split it ,unless they feel that their insurance rates are good as their driving record.

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.

 

[Oreo Cookie]

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 totally agree. Why would I have a good friend pay for something that I did, that is my fault? If we cause the damage we should pay for the damage.

 

[DawnCt1]

I hear you, but the thing is, I want to take it to Mercedes to have it fixed. The car doesn't have but about 2500 miles on it and I want it back perfect like it was. I have a feeling that it won't be cheap. I'm taking it in tomorrow morning for an estimate.

I missed the make of the car when I responded. Absolutely get it fixed by Mercedes. She has insurance, you shouldn't have to eat this, no matter how nice you are.

 

[DVC-Don]

Put in the claim to her insurance and get it over with.