Should I or should I not make my Dads insurance pay for damage to my car?

Question

My car is kept in a garage at my parents' house. During the colder months I have to share my portion of the garage which is bigger with dad's play toys ie tractor, atv, etc. While most of the time this is no problem, today I had a problem. While backing my vehicle which usually has to parked at an angle to allow him to get his toys out of the garage I had an unfortunate mishap. I nearly took off my passenger side rearview mirror on a television set he has out there which was not completely backed away from my garage door. My question is: If I want to make a claim with the insurance company, should I make his insurance pay for the damage? I have had to make this maneuver many times in past years and have never had any problems before. I don't feel I should have to make the claim on my insurance due to this act of negligence. If it would have been where it belonged I would not have hit the thing in the first place.

Answer 1

You're kidding me, right? Be thankful he lets you use the garage in the first place. You want to make him spend $500 for a job you could probably do yourself for less than $50? Not that you would convince the insurance company, and if anything your premiums could go up by telling them.

Plus, you really wanna get on bad terms with your old man? Tell him about it first, maybe he'll help pay for it or help you put a new mirror on. If you made him go through the hassle of dealing with the insurance company he'd never let you use his garage again.

Answer 2

Here is what every state in the Union has on the "Books" Anytime a driver is in reverse and an accident happens the driver is at fault. So, no, your Father shouldn't have to fix your car. Now assuming your father owns the garage and property he is sharing a portion of his garage with you not the other way around as he has no obligation to share any of the garage with you. The insurance co. will also tell ya "IT IS YOUR FAULT YOU BACKED INTO SOMETHING! Now if his garage roof had fell in on your car and you RENTED one side of it to park your car in, his homeowners ins. would be responsible. But since he is nice enough to let you park there for free he is not responsible for any damages or theft incurred while your car is parked there. And ,like I said ,if a vehicle is in reverse with someone driving it,THE DRIVER IS ALWAYS AT FAULT!!!! Now, a rear view mirror is not that expensive to repair( $175-$250) using a junkyard rearview mirror. My advice is to count your lucky stars HE LETS YOU PARK IN HIS GARAGE!!!!! And as a matter of fact your insurance should pay for the TV because of your negligence in not making sure nothing or no one was behind the car before backing it out

Answer 3

If you want to alienate your dad, just try to make that claim. It won't work anyway. You were in control of your vehicle, in his garage, and ran into a stationery object which belongs to him, in his garage. If anything, you should pay for damage to his tv set, which he had stored in his garage. Do you see a theme here when I am talking about his property which he owns and has paid for in his garage which he owns and pays for? Claim on your own insurance if you like. If I were your dad, and you even hinted at a claim against me after you ran into my personal property in my garage, your car would not be allowed on the property ever again. Now put your head in the toilet and flush - twice!

Answer 4

Factually, you were operating a moving vehicle and hit a stationary object. Whether it was where it belonged or not, you had the responsibility to operate the vehicle in a manner such that you did not strike anything. If you were truly observant, you would have seen it, if you were observant, and your field of view was blocked, you had the responsibility to insure that nothing would impede your path of travel.
You hit it, it didn't hit you. You're responsible. Eat the damages, keep the peace, and next time be sure of where you're going.

Answer 5

I would not make my dads insurance pay for the damage. because i did not watch what i was doing or ask for help to get my car out. and it is you dads garage he could tell you to keep your car parked on the road. and he might if you make a claim on his insurance.

Answer 6

Your Dad has probably spent a million bucks raising you already. If this is your first incident your insurance shouldn't go up. Making your Dad pay for it is not a good idea unless he's a jerk.

Answer 7

who's garage???

Just a minute here. Your parents are allowing you to store your vehicle in their garage? Are they charging rent for that?
If so - you may have a leg to stand on if he is invading your rented space.... however if not - you need to suck it up dear. It's minor damage and yes, it's your fault.

Answer 8

is this for real?? i would never involve insurance in this sort of mishap no matter where or who was involved. just pay for the mirror. I would be so angry and very hurt if my daughter tried this on me.