What Would You Do? (Fender Bender) Update Post #133

[Pink Partridge]

Two months ago, the (texting) girl in front of me started backing up instead of going forward at a stop sign. She must have had it in park to text and was looking completely down. Once she realized someone was behind her, she threw it into reverse. I saw the lights, and backed up to avoid her hitting me. She did not hit me. Caught herself, and sped off.

Unfortunately, when I back up, I hit a landscaping trailer parked on the street. Not hard. I had scrape on my bumper. The trailer was makeshift. Wooden. Perhaps homemade. I went to the yard to tell the two guys doing work. We inspected the trailer and did see a metal rod was bent. Did I do it? Did they do it prior? I don't know. It looked like something my husband could fix in a jiffy. They laughed. Declined help. Said no big deal. I gave my name and phone number. After all, I was at fault if they needed help.

Never heard from them. Until yesterday. I got a bill in the mail for $900!! Two months later. The trailer itself couldn't have been worth that much.

I guess the company the men worked for tracked me down via my name. I have a unique name, so it would not be difficult to do. I called the company (local) and asked for an itemized bill. All they sent me was an invoice on company letterhead that said "Trailer Repair: $900".

The manager said it was fixed "in house" and if I would like, he could report the accident and we could go through insurance. His tone basically said he is NOT going to give me an itemized bill. I am to just pay him the $900 and be done with it all.

I am 100% at fault for the bent rod. But why 2 months later? Why no itemized bill? And why $900? For all I know, they could have had other damages done since then and using me to pick up the tab.

What would you do? Just pay and be done? Call my insurance? There is no police report. And I am sure my insurance will go up if I submit this. Is it worth just begrudgingly paying the $900 and going on my merry way?

 

[sam_gordon]

Two months ago, the (texting) girl in front of me started backing up instead of going forward at a stop sign. She must have had it in park to text and was looking completely down. Once she realized someone was behind her, she threw it into reverse. I saw the lights, and backed up to avoid her hitting me. She did not hit me. Caught herself, and sped off.

Unfortunately, when I back up, I hit a landscaping trailer parked on the street. Not hard. I had scrape on my bumper. The trailer was makeshift. Wooden. Perhaps homemade. I went to the yard to tell the two guys doing work. We inspected the trailer and did see a metal rod was bent. Did I do it? Did they do it prior? I don't know. It looked like something my husband could fix in a jiffy. They laughed. Declined help. Said no big deal. I gave my name and phone number. After all, I was at fault if they needed help.

Never heard from them. Until yesterday. I got a bill in the mail for $900!! Two months later. The trailer itself couldn't have been worth that much.

I guess the company the men worked for tracked me down via my name. I have a unique name, so it would not be difficult to do. I called the company (local) and asked for an itemized bill. All they sent me was an invoice on company letterhead that said "Trailer Repair: $900".

The manager said it was fixed "in house" and if I would like, he could report the accident and we could go through insurance. His tone basically said he is NOT going to give me an itemized bill. I am to just pay him the $900 and be done with it all.

I am 100% at fault for the bent rod. But why 2 months later? Why no itemized bill? And why $900? For all I know, they could have had other damages done since then and using me to pick up the tab.

What would you do? Just pay and be done? Call my insurance? There is no police report. And I am sure my insurance will go up if I submit this. Is it worth just begrudgingly paying the $900 and going on my merry way?

Wow. I'm sure there will be others with a lot more knowledge, but I'm thinking here are the various options...

1) Refuse to pay it without an itemized bill of what was fixed.
2) Contact my insurance company, not to file a claim, but to explain the situation and ask for their advice.
3) Say "ok, let's go through insurance. Of course, if you're charging me more than what it should be, that would be insurance fraud and I'll let the insurance company determine what happens."
4) Pay the $900.

Personally, I think I'd start with #2. I'd be kicking myself that I didn't take pictures of the "damage" the day of the accident.

 

[Pink Partridge]

Wow. I'm sure there will be others with a lot more knowledge, but I'm thinking here are the various options...

1) Refuse to pay it without an itemized bill of what was fixed.
2) Contact my insurance company, not to file a claim, but to explain the situation and ask for their advice.
3) Say "ok, let's go through insurance. Of course, if you're charging me more than what it should be, that would be insurance fraud and I'll let the insurance company determine what happens."
4) Pay the $900.

Personally, I think I'd start with #2. I'd be kicking myself that I didn't take pictures of the "damage" the day of the accident.

Oh! I DO have pictures!! This thing looks like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang to begin with.

 

[wenrob]

No I would not pay it. They’d need an inspection and itemized bill for insurance. If they’ve fixed it “in house,” they don’t have that. People like to threaten to take it to your insurance but it’s not *that* big of a deal if you have a good record. My older DD had a fender bender (more like a barely scratched another vehicle) and they called me with an $8,000 “estimate.” I told them to call my insurance company. They kept saying you don’t want to do that. I think my bill went up $9 a month for a year. You pay for insurance for a reason. I’d tell them go ahead and call your insurance. Chances are you’ll probably never hear from them again.

 

[ronandannette]

Two months ago, the (texting) girl in front of me started backing up instead of going forward at a stop sign. She must have had it in park to text and was looking completely down. Once she realized someone was behind her, she threw it into reverse. I saw the lights, and backed up to avoid her hitting me. She did not hit me. Caught herself, and sped off.

Unfortunately, when I back up, I hit a landscaping trailer parked on the street. Not hard. I had scrape on my bumper. The trailer was makeshift. Wooden. Perhaps homemade. I went to the yard to tell the two guys doing work. We inspected the trailer and did see a metal rod was bent. Did I do it? Did they do it prior? I don't know. It looked like something my husband could fix in a jiffy. They laughed. Declined help. Said no big deal. I gave my name and phone number. After all, I was at fault if they needed help.

Never heard from them. Until yesterday. I got a bill in the mail for $900!! Two months later. The trailer itself couldn't have been worth that much.

I guess the company the men worked for tracked me down via my name. I have a unique name, so it would not be difficult to do. I called the company (local) and asked for an itemized bill. All they sent me was an invoice on company letterhead that said "Trailer Repair: $900".

The manager said it was fixed "in house" and if I would like, he could report the accident and we could go through insurance. His tone basically said he is NOT going to give me an itemized bill. I am to just pay him the $900 and be done with it all.

I am 100% at fault for the bent rod. But why 2 months later? Why no itemized bill? And why $900? For all I know, they could have had other damages done since then and using me to pick up the tab.

What would you do? Just pay and be done? Call my insurance? There is no police report. And I am sure my insurance will go up if I submit this. Is it worth just begrudgingly paying the $900 and going on my merry way?

That's a tough one, and I'm sorry. For just this reason we always report even the tiniest incident to our insurance carrier. Reporting doesn't automatically result in a claim but it does provide the services needed to protect against this sort of incident. Even now, you may be able to report and have the claim investigated and paid through your policy, with you reimbursing them so there is no "loss" and no increase in your premiums. (Our insurance rules and policy details allow us to do that here.) A call or letter from your insurance company, requiring their insurance carrier to provide "proof of loss" may do something to sort out the bill.

Short of that, yes, I guess you just pay it, but I'd also want a document signed by everybody involved (including the workers - did you get their names?) agreeing that the settlement is full-and-final, just in case somebody tries to bring a bogus injury claim forward at a later date. Again, I'm sorry and I wish you well.

 

[wenrob]

Wow. I'm sure there will be others with a lot more knowledge, but I'm thinking here are the various options...

1) Refuse to pay it without an itemized bill of what was fixed.
2) Contact my insurance company, not to file a claim, but to explain the situation and ask for their advice.
3) Say "ok, let's go through insurance. Of course, if you're charging me more than what it should be, that would be insurance fraud and I'll let the insurance company determine what happens."
4) Pay the $900.

Personally, I think I'd start with #2. I'd be kicking myself that I didn't take pictures of the "damage" the day of the accident.

One caveat to #2. Make sure you put it your insurance company as a hypothetical situation. Otherwise you’re filing a claim and you don’t want to do that if you don’t have to. (At least that’s how it was put to me when I called about the situation I mentioned) I absolutely would not pay the $900 under any circumstances. What proof would you have that’s the end of it? Your insurance company is there to protect you from this kind of thing. Throw the ball into their court. “I’m not paying that, you’re welcome to contact my insurance.” You have pics and whatnot. You’ll be fine.

 

[EACarlson]

I would have let the girl in front back into me. But that's past, no way am I paying anything. If they sent you a bill two months later but didn't hear from anyone else, they didn't report it to the police or their insurance company. No commercial insurance company is going to let a client fix their own equipment unless that is their business. I'd ignore it, but that may just be me.

 

[wenrob]

Also when I called my insurance about our incident they did math for me. Let’s say this costs you an extra $15 a month. 15x12= 180. Let’s say it goes on for three years (doubtful) that’s $540. You are still ahead. Unless you’re a terrible driver with a terrible record don’t be afraid of your insurance.

 

[disneychrista]

$900 for what? Materials? Labor? I’d want to see proof of the repair.

No way I’d pay it. Period. Let them file a small claims in court if they want. A judge is likely to ask for proof of costs in any settlement.

 

[Pink Partridge]

I would have let the girl in front back into me.

It was a gut reaction to get out of her way. I didn't want to get hit. A lot of good that did me

 

[wenrob]

It was a gut reaction to get out of her way. I didn't want to get hit. A lot of good that did me

Yeah, it’s instinct. I think most people would do the same.

 

[kymom99]

I wouldn’t pay it. I’d call my insurance at this point.

 

[MillauFr]

Do not pay. I think most people are in agreement here. Even if you paid it there is nothing stopping them from demanding more money from you if they later determine additional work is needed.

 

[mrsstats79]

Ask your insurance company if it is a "chargeable" accident. In NY it was that if damages were under a certain amount it was not chargeable. Been out of insurance for 2 years so not sure if this is still the case. Find out if you lose a claim free discount if you submit the claim.

As far as letting the person back into you, when I was working this happened to someone and the person who backed up changed their story and said the person behind hit them. Since one had front end damage and the other rear end and no police report, the insurance company paid for the rear end damage.

 

[Pink Partridge]

Do not pay. I think most people are in agreement here. Even if you paid it there is nothing stopping them from demanding more money from you if they later determine additional work is needed.

Ugh. I didn't even think of that.

 

[tvguy]

I'd turn it over to your insurance. You pay them not only to pay for damage, but to negotiate how much the repair costs.
Of course you will have to pay whatever your deductible is.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I agree that it's best to call your insurance company for advice. Your agent is there to help you sort these things out and decide on the best course of action. That's why your pay your premiums.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Short of that, yes, I guess you just pay it, but I'd also want a document signed by everybody involved (including the workers - did you get their names?) agreeing that the settlement is full-and-final, just in case somebody tries to bring a bogus injury claim forward at a later date.

This, 100%, ESPECIALLY with that signed document by all parties BEFORE payment is given.

 

[SeanWM48]

They laughed. Declined help. Said no big deal.

in hindsight at that point I would've just bailed. no names and phone numbers. but that's sunk so here we are.

personally I'd ignore this for a very long time and make them go through hoops to prove anything and everything. They had their chance to talk business with you and didn't. The case was closed at that point so yeah. They're going to have to really, really pursue me for 900 dollars.

 

[anniemae]

Too bad you gave your info. You are a better person that I am LOL! Like a pp said, I would have waved and left after they declined any further action. Too late for that, but I would not pay it. I would let them know they have 2 weeks to give you an itemized bill and then you will contact your insurance. Chances are you will not hear from them.

I wonder if you did any damage at all. If the trailer was as old and dilapidated as you say, it probably had lots of damage before you backed into it. You could call your insurance and tell them the situation and that you are waiting for an itemized bill.