The light was red and I was stopped behind a car and it was my fault. It created a little dent but the guy is probably gonna screw me over... what papers and stuff am I gonna need and how do I go about dealing with this? Like what kind of payment method am I gonna have to use when he brings me the bill (It was a brand new Golf GT...). Please help I am 19 and this is the first time this happened to me.
2006-08-26 04:29:51 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
The first thing you should have done is call the police and make a report. This does not mean that you have to go through your insurance company. However, it will mean that the dent was documented and that you can't be charged with other dents in the hit car. Also, the guy can't say that you injured him later (like whiplash).
Second, if you don't have this, carry a disposable camera. Then you can take picture of any and all incidents. Again to protect yourself.
If you agreed to pay for the repairs, without going thru your insurance, he is probably going to want the money when he presents you with the estimates. (Make sure he gets at least two) The difference between estimates can be several hundred dollars.
If you are going to go thru your insurance company, call your agent or toll free hot line now and report the accident. They will take care of all the necessary paperwork, after asking you a zillion questions. Just answer truthfully. If you are going thru your insurance company, they will handle dealing with this guy directly and you should have no further contact.
Just remember this was an accident and accidents happen.
2006-08-26 04:39:37 · answer #1 · answered by kny390 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I assume there was no police report made, which could prove to be a problem if he turns out to be a s**t.
I believe damages in excess of $1,000 are legally required to be reported to insurance companies. Don't quote me, but that's what I recall hearing some time ago. If he presents you with a bill in excess of $1,000, you may want to consider going the legal route to cover your a**. See if you can still get a police report and report it to your insurance company. It sucks, I know, but the insurance company would then handle the entire thing.
You said the damage was a "little dent." Unfortunately, that says little with regard to what the repair will cost. Even a little dent could be an expensive one if the repair shops deems the part needs to be replaced. After you have the bill, ask around to see if you can find someone qualified to give you a second opinion if the cost seems excessive.
If everything seems acceptable and you're prepared to pay the bill and leave it at that, make sure you keep a copy of the bill. Use any payment method he or the shop will accept as long as you get a receipt that proves you paid the bill. Also get something from him stating that payment of the bill satisfies your obligation and that he will seek no further damages.
2006-08-26 04:40:27 · answer #2 · answered by nyboxers73 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hopefully you waited for the police to come and do a report, b/c you will need a police report to prove that you made that dent and that dent only. Also to prove that the other driver suffered no injuries. Then you call your insurance company to file the claim. If you don't have insurance, then yeah you are pretty much screwed. You will need the police report and the other drivers information. Your insurance company will deal with the rest. Depending on your insurance you won't have to come out of pocket but your premium will go up.
2006-08-26 04:40:59 · answer #3 · answered by Cocoabutta98 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV.
My ex-wife once rear-ended a car at a traffic light. Don't worry, just get everything documented. Contact your insurance company immediately to give them a heads-up. Get a copy of the police report and any other documentation that's generated regarding the incident. On your own, you might want to visit a few body shops in the area that work on VWs, describe the damage done (maybe by looking at something similarly damaged on their lot) and ascertain their estimated charges for the repair. This'll help keep 'em in line for the repair bill.
If it was just a little dent, it shouldn't be a big deal, but be prepared for your own insurance rates to rise a bit. And just be more careful next time.
2006-08-26 04:37:41 · answer #4 · answered by ralfg33k 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have insurance you should tell the insurance company to handle it. If you were driving without insurance he might ask for your first born child or whatever else he could get away with.
2006-08-26 04:33:58 · answer #5 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call ur insurance company and since u admitted it was ur fault u get the increased insurance and the other stuff.
2006-08-26 04:32:35 · answer #6 · answered by Mike R 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to call your insurance company. If there was not a lot of damage, you can just pay it out of pocket.
2006-08-26 06:53:28 · answer #7 · answered by poutypitbull 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have insurance you should tell the insurance company to handle it.. if not ... u just have 2 pray
2006-08-26 04:57:42 · answer #8 · answered by Dark Avenger 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First report it to your insurance company (now) and let them deal with him.
2006-08-26 04:34:18 · answer #9 · answered by chillierrogue6 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call your insurer. If you are not insured, pay up !
2006-08-26 04:36:41 · answer #10 · answered by african lion 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋