Today I met a guy I had rear-ended at a parking lot. We had decided that we weren't going to get the insurance companies involved, therefore he was going to bring an estimate and I was going to pay him. So he went to the repair shop and today he showed us the estimate and we agreed on the price. He said that it would be that price or like the paper said, "additional charges could apply." The problem was that he just wanted the money (cash) and didn't want to sign a paper saying we had paid him and that he would seek no more damages. He said that if they charged him more he wasn't going to pay out of his pocket. So he just wanted the cash and no proof that we had paid him. Of course we weren't going to do that. So he got mad and went back to his car and said, "You'll be hearing from my insurance company." Did I do the right thing? What would you have done?
2006-09-04 13:17:47 · 11 answers · asked by Jemma R 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
This is why you carry insurance so use it. You should never make an agreement to pay someone for damages rather than report it to the insurance company. If the damage is not that bad then both parties should agree to go their own way. If one or both cars require repair then you should report it to the insurance. The first step should be to file a police report. Since this was not done all you can do is move on from where you are. I would say that it is unlikely he will report this to his insurance company. My guess is that he never planned to get the repairs done and he was just trying to get your money. Also keep in mind that since there was no police report he nor his insurance company can prove that you caused these damages (they could have been on his car prior to the accident). My advise is to sit tight and wait. If you do hear from his insurance company then you should contact your insurance company and explain they will help you. Don't worry about your rates going up this was very minor.
2006-09-04 13:56:59 · answer #1 · answered by B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The guy will probably have problems getting his insurance company to do anything because you didn't get a police report. Most company's require some proof of the accident. You did the right thing by not giving him a red cent. Next time get the police or your insurance involved.
2006-09-04 20:27:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are so right. There is no way that giving him the cash without any proof would have been smart! He could have taken the money and then went to the insurance company for more repairs, and ripped you off twice!
he was just mad because his plan didnt work!
Good job, way to think things thro!
2006-09-04 20:20:18 · answer #3 · answered by Miz_Kassandra 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First yes I believe you did the right thing for that situation, he could of came back and said he needed more and more and more.
But there is a reason you have car insurance, for things like this, and people like him. You should always get insurance info, and a police report when there are accidents, minor or major. Police reports will have who was at fault on the reports, otherwise it'll always be here say between the involved vehicles.
2006-09-04 20:27:09 · answer #4 · answered by Angel 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you did the right thing. If you didn't have him sign, he could have done the SAME EXACT THING -- and you'd have no proof that you ever paid anything! Screw people like that. There's a reason he didn't want to go to insurance agency -- he probably has a crappy driving record. Keep it all on the up and up -- it'll keep you from getting screwed! Be Careful!
2006-09-04 20:20:55 · answer #5 · answered by Stormy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You absolutely did the right thing! Who knows, he may have taken the money and still called his insurance company! Anyone that demands to do something with cash and have no paper trail is up to something!
2006-09-04 20:31:23 · answer #6 · answered by bluez 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You did not do right. Never settle an accident with someone like that. He is obviously a crook. Since you did admit to causing the accident, let the insurance company handle it. He may try to use this against you, but it is your word against his.
2006-09-04 20:28:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
An estimate is just that, an estimate. You should have asked for a receipt after he was done fixing his car and then and only then paid more money if it legitamately cost him more than the estimate.
2006-09-04 20:22:19 · answer #8 · answered by NIKKI K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes becasue with out proof of you paying he could have sued you w/out the proof of you having paid him before. You did the right thing or else he would have probaly extorted money out of you.
2006-09-04 20:23:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you did
2006-09-04 20:23:47 · answer #10 · answered by Bohemian 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋