Auto insurace question--non at fault driver asked immediately if I wanted to keep this out of the insurance?

Question

I live in California and rear-ended a car today. The actual collision speed was very low, at best case two miles an hour. My car show no sign of damage but the other car bumber cover show numerous scuffs in which may of the scuffs are from past parking events. One can't really identify the damage that I may have done to the car. The question is how to determine the bumber cover damage I did that I should be liable for rather than paying for all past damages. The other driver asked if I wanted to pay for the damage myself and keep the insurance company out.

How does deteremine liablility of damage that I may have done to a bumber cover versus previous damage?

Any sugestions on how I should deal with this event? And if I do pay out of my pocket, how do I prevent future liability?

Answer 1

this is an interesting question. Did you call the police or did the other driver suggest you don't do that also? Sounds to me like the other driver has something to hide...as in suspended license or something. I know...even if it is my own fault...I always call the police so there is an official record of the damages and the other person's statement to the police...this just protects you. I have seen many times someone will do this...then claim larger damages later and you have no proof of the actual damages.

I'd suggest getting ahold of the person..and ask to go ahead and make a police report...just to protect both of you...see what the other person says...they may say nevermind and let it go at that.

Good luck.

Answer 2

My first question? Did you get a police report? You should have. The report would have noted the slow speed of the accident and what damage you caused and if there was previous damage.

Personally, I would involve the insurance company. They will have an adjuster look at the vehicle and determine just how much damage you caused. You can usually tell which bumps are old and which are fresh. If you settle without going through insurance, that person will likely get a quote for having the whole bumper replaced, in which case, you'll be paying out more than you should.

Call the insurance company!

Answer 3

Insurance company policies vary widely. Some of them may raise your premiums after a claim even if the accident was not your fault. But many of them will give you a break if the accident was caused entirely by another party.

If you have this latter kind of insurer, and you were cited for the accident, it's probably a good idea to show up in court to plead your case. Often the police officers or other parties involved won't show up, and the case will be thrown out -- in which case, you get lucky. And depending upon how serious the accident was, you may also want to hire a lawyer to represent you.

Although auto accidents are expensive, many car owners don't depend on their insurance companies to pay for the damage, because they're so afraid of their premiums skyrocketing.

In fact, according to a May survey by the Independent Insurance Agents of America, nearly one in five car owners have paid out of their own pocket for damage to their car or someone else's car due to an accident, rather than file a claim.

If you decide to pay out of pocket it is a good idea to get a written statement from the other party stating that they have been paid in full.

Usually previous damage vs recent damgage is very easy to spot. You should be able to point that out to the other party and negotiate a fair price. Remember, it will save you 3 to 5 years of increased insurance premiums.

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Answer 4

If you hit this guy, then obviously the accident was your fault. There is some ulterior motive with this guy.. why would he be concerned with whether or not you want to make a claim? I could see it if he would have asked that question if HE were at fault, but why since you were? I smell a rat! Most people want their car fixed as soon as possible...most people would assume that an insurance company is going to be quicker than someone who is going to self pay.
Hopefully you have a police report. Either way, I would most certainly make a claim on your insurance. You're insurance may go up at renewal, but it may end up being alot cheaper in the long run if this guy is looking for a handout. You can alway's shop your insurance if your premium goes up..there are alot of companies out there that don't penalize you to hard for a small accident.

Answer 5

Well, I'm an agent. I can tell you right now, if you go through your insurer, they are not going to spend any time "investigating" the accident, because it won't be financially worth it for them. They will just pay for the bumper. If you pay it yourself, make sure you get several estimates (at least 3) to make sure that you aren't going to get ripped off. Try to call a place like Maaco, and and just ask them what they would charge to replace the bumper on that certain year/make/model of vehicle. They more than likely wont replace just the skin, because bumpers are alot like motorcycle helmets, they have that styrofoam type stuff inside that is only designed to withstand one impact. Just keep in mind, if its somewhat cheap, I'd just pay for it yourself and dont even call your insurance company. The "at fault accident" surcharge will HAUNT you for the next 3-7 years depending on which company you are with. You may want to call your agent though. Just ask him if they have any kind of "accident forgiveness" or a "low payout waiver" or anything that would keep your policy from being surcharged.
As far as your future liability is concerned, just have them sign a notorized document that states that once this repair is complete, you are no longer liable.

Answer 6

Many people do not realize what they are getting themselves into paying for damages out of pocket. For example- did you know you are not only responsible for the damages to their vehicle but for rental cost as well? Did you know that even a small scuff on a bumper can get into hundreds of dollars worth of damages?

If you do decide to go the out of pocket route- their is no guarantee they will not go after you for more damages in the future. What if they decide they are injured? Are you prepared to pay thousands in "medical bills"

As far as determining which scuffs you caused compared to prior damage- Even if there is a small scuff on the bumper the whole bumper will need to be refinished most likely- so you will end up paying for all their scuffs as there is not many ways to differiante something as small as a scuff from one another.

Do yourself a favor- let the pros handle it.

Answer 7

specific of direction you may. the way it happens is this they pay you write off value, you purchase the scrap from them and then get it fixed. The undesirable information. Your coverage business organisation will end the coverage there and then, alongside with any no claims... besides the fact that if it is your organisation organisation paying, if, on the different hand,it quite is the different drivers coverage, then the above applies without strings. I relatively have performed this various cases. the two for myself and pals. whilst the motor vehicle is repaired get a letter from the storage or yet another asserting the motor vehicle is okay and deliver it to your coverage afterwards.

Answer 8

Did you get a police report?

You should also report a claim against your insurance regardless. You are probably liable regardless of their insurance status since you hit them..

If you didn't get a police report, did you give the other car your insurance information? Did you get their information?

Frankly, the other car's driver is breaking the law, but you are still liable for the accident.

Answer 9

If you had a rear end acc. and the other party ask if you wanted to keep this off insurance then he will prob want the cost of a new bumper In any case if you do this be sure to geta recipt for what you do and also have a wittness to sign with you then he would have no other recorse to ever come back on you.

Answer 10

Do you think he could just have been trying to be nice? Lots of answers suggest ulterior motives, like trying to hide something - but maybe he just didn't want you to have to get your insurance raised in the future. I don't know though. I reckon I'd let my insurance company pay if he was asking for money - better safe than sorry.