I barely bumped into someone, just a little paint scrape, and now they want me to replace their bumper?

Question

I barely scraped paint on this girl's bumper, so I asked if we could just not go through our insurance companies...her dad calls me a week later telling me that since the bumper is made out of plastic, they can't re-paint anything or fix it, and that the shop needs to REPLACE the whole bumper, which would cost $1300, but since he's SO nice, he's willing to settle for $500. In the case that I would've damaged it, I would've been fine paying up, but what I did is not worth more than $100. This happened 2 weeks ago- what should I do? He's threatening to go through the insurance if I don't pay up....

Answer 1

He's trying to rip you off and make you think he's doing you a favor. Settle for 500.00 which is what you'll have to pay for deductible anyway and don't have to make a claim but tell him the only way you'll do it is if he takes the car to a bodyshop, has the bumper repainted---which they can do---guaranteed---call some shops and ask--- and you'll pay them the money when it's done..otherwise he could just pocket the money and not have it fixed or just have it buffed out cheaper. If he refuses, go through insurance and don't let him make money off your little bumper scrape....some people are just heartless...it's only a car.

Answer 2

You should be able to see any papers that state the bumper needs to be replaced. Either from the person or from the shop (if the shop will give out that information). If it's only a scratch, and the bumper is not actaully damaged or mis-shaped, then a paint job for $500 isn't all that bad. Paint shops can charge a good bit. They are probably talking about repainting the whole bumper instead of that small spot (if he's actually going to get it painted).
One time, I had a car and there was a bad scratch on the bumper (pealed the plastic back but only in a 7 inch area) but they repair shop said they needed to replace the bumper. They said it would be $1150. I just left it since it didn't affect anything. But I know it can be expensive to replace, depending on the damage.
One option you could do it call your insurance company. Ask them if your insurance will go up if you decide to report it (don't tell them someone is threatening to report it). It's not always that your insurance will go up. I had a motorcycle where I replaced all the plastic on the outside after a wreck and my insurance didn't go up at all. Best of luck!!

Answer 3

Fiber glass could have been scratched up, they wont be able to just paint it, bumpers are cash cows for car makers these days. They aren't made to last, but to be replaced. Cars are getting cheaper and they need a new cash cow system.

I would say get your insurance company involved, it would cost you much less in pay hikes, then paying that up front, and i bet you that it wont be the end of it. if you decide to pay, make sure they sign a paper stating that they will not ask for anything else regarding this accident. Pain, injury, scratch, paint whatever. So you see why we have insurance.

Answer 4

Time to get your insurance company involved. I have not heard about not being able to paint the newer bumpers.

Answer 5

Call his threat, tell him to go ahead and go through his insurance company. Make sure YOUR insurance company has your side of this whole scenario before he tells his, and let the two companies battle it out. If he calls you again after that, smile, tell him to contact your insurance or his, and hang up.

Answer 6

You have 3 choices:
1. Ignore them and get sued
2. Pay what they want
3. Choose to go the insurance route (that's what insurance is for).

Answer 7

no police report made?, it's your word against hers that you did it, the next time they call you ask them what are they talking about and you have the wrong person, 2 can play that game.