Should I report this?

Question

I went to pick someone up at the bus station last night. While i was waiting a kid in the car parked next to me opened the door and hit my car. It's only a minor paint chip. the woman was very unapologetic. She never said sorry or told her kid to say sorry. The kid was about 7. We swapped information. I normally don't report something like this to my insurance, because usually the person comes out blurting sorry, but I feel like this time I have to because the lady was so unapologetic and I feel she needs to be taught a lesson.
My brother is accusing me of being too cruel? Am I?

Answer 1

Of course you should report it. The woman should have been apologetic and asked her son to be more careful, pointing out the fact that he damaged another person's property. It seems small and I wouldn't do it because of the chip, so much as to help her an her son realize the importance of respecting others. If it goes unanswered, what will happen next? Broken windows, when he is of driving age will it be a hit and run? If she won't (or doesn't know any better) teach him, you should teach them both.

Answer 2

Cruel or not you won't teach the lady a lesson. Your angry not cruel. And reporting this will make you even more angry as your insurance may go up. This happened in a parking lot. The police will not issue a ticket so the best you can hope for is that her insurance will pay half. Guess what your stuck with the rest and she does not pay anything out of pocket.

Now, on the other hand the kid will get the brunt of an unapologetic mother. Even though she parked the car he may have to deal with her wrath.

I say suck it up or you and the kid pay and mama still lives in her perfect little world. Sorry but that is pretty much how it will work.

And what is funny in all the statements above about the mother teaching the kid. Think about it asking a child to judge the distance it takes to open a car door before opening a door.
??? Who has the license? Who parked the car? Why blame the child? Get a grip people it is a child and parents teach their children not to talk to strangers, seeing that the mother did not say anything never expect the child to go against a parent to make you feel better. Leave the child alone it was the mother.

Answer 3

People are getting scary! America is in trouble. This incident is exemplary of how people in America have changed since the l800 (or just some of us) to the worse. How can people of America be more like our grandparents? We need to suffer or something? The unapologetic woman and child are in the same as the road rage driver, do something wrong on the roadways and you sure will get the bad finger too. Help! America. Today everyone out there, be a better AMERICAN human being. Teach your child the R word. RESPECT

Answer 4

One other thing - I used to work for an insurance company, and they always stressed to their new clients; "Never ever admit liability; let the courts sort it out and decide."

So it leads to a situation where you can't even apologise in case a court decides that you are admitting to being "at fault". She was liable, it was an accident, so she exchanged details, but maybe she thought that she was doing the right thing.

No, it's not a civilised way of dealing with any situation in my view. But it could be that she was drilled to never say sorry in a situation involving damage to a car. I guess the only way to reverse this is to report it, and mention in writing that it added insult to the damage when the other insured party did not feel that they could express any regret for what had happened to your property. Can't hurt in the long run!

Answer 5

It may not be worth reporting. If your damages aren't as much as your deductible, they won't cover it anyway. I would get an estimate first, but it doesn't sound like it will be necessary unless you have zero or $50 deductible.(something LOW)
I understand your frustration at the arrogance of the people, and if it will be covered by your ins. I would report it as they will charge damages back to her insurance and it will go against her. You see why the kids today are ignorant....they learn it at home. It's a SHAME the parent's have no sense. You are not being cruel. She deserves to be taught a lesson.

Answer 6

Of course not, but you had to act right in the moment, and tell her that she was very rude when she didnt even offer an apology. Because know, if it's only a minor chip on the paint I think It would be a waist of time to report it to the insurance.

Answer 7

well you have to condcider the possiblities. If you report them, you will have to fill out paper work and deal with all the legal matters. The lady was rude, but would all this teach her anything? Some people are just naturally rude. They were not taught manners or just dont care. If you feel that this would help teach her a lesson in mannerism, report it. Its not being overly cruel. Its your right to report the incident.

Answer 8

I don't know if it's because I'm from the south and manners really matter there, or what. But I'm with you. Teach that woman a lesson, and her son one as well. No the kid should not be held responsible, but as a responsible parent you should apologize and use the opportunity to teach your child some responsibility. I really can't believe she blew you off like that. Sue the crap out of her. You can drop it later, but I think a point should be made. Think about what type or person that kid will grow up to be with parenting like that. I really think you should have to have a liscense to breed!

Answer 9

I don't think any of this is relavent because in Canada, at least, if you are in a parking lot it is considered private property and insurance won't cover any damage that is done.

On the other hand, you have to think that they were at a bus station and probably frazzeled and excited to be picking someone up. Give them a bit of credit for not apologizing, contact the insurance company and see what happens.

Answer 10

Report it to your insurance company. Her lack of concern bothers me. It's not being cruel in my opinion & I had the same thing happen to me a few years ago, only the person who hit my door was an adult, who also copped an attitude with me. He spoke English when I was talking to him right after the incident but someone called the police (not me) & when the police showed up, the adult suddenly could neither speak nor understand English. This really ticked me off & his insurance company paid for my repairs. The woman you spoke of was not setting a good example for her son with that type of attitude.