About three weeks ago, I got into a rear end collision with a car because of some stupid taxi. Anyways, after getting into the collision we stopped at a gas station and looked at the damage. My front bumper had a tiny bit of paint chipped of and their rear bumper had like 2 one inch scratches, it was really really minor. Anyways we both decided that insurance nor the police wasn't necessary so the only information we exchanged was a cell phone number and driver's liscence number. They said they would call me with an estimate so I can pay them. About a week ago, they called back and said they need the entire bumper to be replaced and I need to come up with 480 dollars. I think this is absurd considering the bumber was not dent or cracked in any way shape or form. I figured they would just have to repaint it. I'm a student and have no job so I can barely make that amount of money. Can I just play stupid and avoid their phone calls? Or can they go through insurance and still get me?
2006-10-25 06:58:35 · 18 answers · asked by maguila365 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
If they go to their insurance, you will get a nasty call from your insurance asking why you didn't report it. You did hit their car from the rear, and the insurance company will automatically assign fault to you. They will repair that $480, and your insurance will go up by enough to pay for it 3 times over. Before refusing to pay, ask why the whole thing needs replacing. They may have had a body shop look at it. Remember, cars don't have bumpers like they used to, and the exterior is a coloured panel that may actually be cracked, not scratched. If it is really just scratched, it should be repaired by a colourmelt process. That you can and should pay for.
2006-10-25 13:06:51 · answer #1 · answered by Fred C 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
technically you could ignore them. I was in the other persons spot about two years ago. A kid rear ended me without much damage. just a small dent and scratch in my bumper. We decided the same as you guys did. I think that they could repaint their bumper a little cheaper. They could go through their insurance and get you but they would have to pay their deductible in the mean time. Or they could call the cops if they are really interested in getting your money and the cops would consider it a hit and run possibly. but more than likely would just make you turn it into your insurance.
The bottom line is could you sleep knowing that you are responsible for the damage.
They should be a little more understanding and a little more reasonable about the money. The kid that hit me still owes me about 50.00. I got a used bumper for 175.00.
2006-10-25 07:07:42 · answer #2 · answered by graciedad04 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are no expert in auto body repair so you have NO idea if you are being scammed or not. Many bumpers are designed with a texture and/or formed with a design that is very difficult to repair.
Advice #1: listen to Chris. She is 100% correct (usually always 100% correct).
Advice#2: don't EVER agree to this crap again. Always report an accident to the cops and then to your insurance company. You dopes always worry about your rates going up but you never realize that a mess like this could cost five times what a pi$$-ant rate increase would.
2006-10-25 17:36:50 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Reporting it to the police three weeks later will do nothing, and they won't probably even take a report. $480 is not that much considering how much a bumper cover repair costs. A replacement is much more than that including labor, etc. If you don't want to pay, you can't ignore the person. Report it to your insurance company because out of pocket payments (and after all my years in claims I swear to you this is the truth) NEVER work out. Yes, they can file with their carrier whenever they want and their carrier can go after you.
2006-10-25 12:23:35 · answer #4 · answered by Chris 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First off, always call the police, so a report can be written up.
The right thing to do is pay for the damage you caused.
I had the same type thing happen to me. I was the car that was hit. Didn't look like much, but ended up being much more than what was expected.
Luckily, the person who hit me paid for it. So, yes, damage costs are usually much more than you think at first sight.
You may still be able to turn it in to your insurance. Check on that first, so it will save you out of pocket money.
2006-10-25 07:03:14 · answer #5 · answered by K . 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
tell them you want the estimates and then call the shop to see why the bumper needs replaced not just repainted..BTW to repaint a bumper is going to be a couple of hundred if it has any size to it. They just don't paint the scratch they paint the whole bumper..It could be that more damaged has happened since your little bender and that is why it is being replaced instead of repaired.
2006-10-25 07:06:20 · answer #6 · answered by Dennis G 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would ask to see the bill first. Sounds like they are trying to scam you. Have them get SEVERAL estimates not just one. Second, don't dodge thier calls, it could prompt them to take you to small claims court. You don't want to be sued. I'd only pay half since the police weren't involved. I'm surprised that the other person didn't go thru thier own insurance company. May be they don't have insurance, in which case they should have even been driving!
2006-10-25 07:03:21 · answer #7 · answered by mustangsally76 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I were you, I would call the insurance company and file a police report. You mentioned there was a taxi. How was the taxi involved? Make sure to tell all details to the police and the insurance company. If you were trying to avoid the taxi, it may not be 100% your fault. Your premium may increase slightly, but, that's worth it.
2006-10-25 07:12:44 · answer #8 · answered by spot 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They can take you to small claims court, win, and get more money. They did you a favor by trusting you and not calling the police and having an accident report written up. Pay them. If you don't have the money, get in touch with your insurance company and try to get this settled.
Pay more attention when you are driving.
2006-10-25 07:11:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends, since the accident appears to not have been your fault but the fault of the taxi, it seems you're not related. In New Jersey, usually rear end accidents are always blamed on the person who hit the rear, but there are exceptions. I remember this one time this person appeared to be parking so I passed them, but then without any sort of signal or warning they started coming out into the middle of the lane, fortunately there were no cars in the other lane so I managed to not hit the person, but since I was not following too closely but indeed that the car suddenly came in front of me, if I had rear-ended him, it would have been his fault.
Anyway, since there were just scratches, he doesn't actually have to replace the bumper, he's lying and trying to scam you.
2006-10-25 07:11:21 · answer #10 · answered by thalog482 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋