OT, woman got into a car accident

[HSanchez]

So my girlfiend was in a car accident, she was at fault, unfortunatly no insurance. So we agreed to pay all cost. But the person we hit, brought us a quote replacing, not repairing, all parts. The damage was minimal, from a glance, looked like it only needed a good wax, and removal of some scuffs $200 tops. We were brought a estimate for $1300. Replacing the front bumper, which has no visible damage. its a plastic one, (not painted, solid grey), and the front fender, which had minor, minor damage, that even the woman she hit had no idea it was there, til the auto body pointed it out. I understand we are at fault and are going to pay for all repairs, but are we obligated to replace not repair parts? Lets say we don't replace the items, and are only willing to cover repairs? Would her INS company still sue? If we don't pay will we just be sued for the repairs not replacements?

I'm trying to work with this lady, but I feel she's trying to rip me off.

What do you guys think?

 

[ostrow]

Well, they have got you over a barrel for whatever they want, because once it gets to insurance, etc, she is in deep trouble for driving uninsured. The long-term cost will far exceed $1300. You can try to negotiate, but you have zero leverage.

 

[Sullyman]

Have her get an estimate from her insurance company, they won't write an estimate to replace something that's repairable.
If she tells you she doesn't want to get her insurance company involved, then you've got some leverage on her too. Because if you're really willing to pay for a fair repair, why not deal with her insurance, they won't over write a repair estimate

 

[anjhof]

Did you get a police report? If not, she would have a near impossible time proving anything. If she doesn't want to play fair, why should you?

 

[HSanchez]

yea we got a police report,.

So should I just tell her to go through her insurance company and I'll pay them?

 

[bryanth73]

you cant tell her how or where to repair the car. If the bumper is grey not painted its is a textured part and can't be repaired only replaced pm me I am the gm of a shop and can see what I can do

 

[abfleck]

GET INSURANCE.......its the LAW! SR -22 insurance is not cheap these days. Best of luck!

AJ

 

[Swamp Donkey]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8039895#post8039895 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by anjhof
Did you get a police report? If not, she would have a near impossible time proving anything. If she doesn't want to play fair, why should you?

Sorry...but are you kidding me?!?!? They didn't play fair from the beginning. Having insurance is the law. 1300.00 is not unreasonable. Things that don't look damaged often are. I was rearended at about 15 mph. It didn't look like anything. It ended up being a 1100 repair because the housing inside the bumper was broke which casue the fender to get bent etc......
Now just think if they had insure their car it would have cost less than 1300 for the year. I don't tolerate people who don't have insurance. I personally think driving without it should be a jail-able offense.

 

[whiirly]

what kind of car was it If you hit my car I would insist that I got new parts as well.This is mostly because if it didnt have bondo in it before why should have it in there now.Cars cost alot of money and people are holding on to them longer and tring to keep them as nice as possible

 

[HSanchez]

Thanks guys for all your help and opinoins, were going to get a second opinoin today for the repairs, then I'm gonna have to shell out the repair cost and just forget about it.
Like I told my girlfriend money comes and goes but let's just be glad nobody got hurt

 

[anjhof]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8041922#post8041922 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Swamp Donkey
Sorry...but are you kidding me?!?!? They didn't play fair from the beginning. Having insurance is the law. 1300.00 is not unreasonable. Things that don't look damaged often are. I was rearended at about 15 mph. It didn't look like anything. It ended up being a 1100 repair because the housing inside the bumper was broke which casue the fender to get bent etc......
Now just think if they had insure their car it would have cost less than 1300 for the year. I don't tolerate people who don't have insurance. I personally think driving without it should be a jail-able offense.

Yeah, I was kidding.....I agree - get insurance and you wouldn't have this trouble. If you can afford this hobby, you can afford insurance.

 

[Racenrich]

i guess we all have opinions....HERE'S MINE.
GET FREAKING INSURANCE.....its truly a shame that she/you dont have insurance. Really it is.

And to put in some sorrow...WHAT IF someone was killed, you would be screwd FOR LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.....one of the reasons that insurance is so dam high....people like you...............its called UNINSURED MOTORISTS!

Your lucky it's only $1300....and to think your getting screwed??

Think again!!

 

[HSanchez]

I understand. My insurance premium is $2000 a year. it is expensive. i did not post this with the intentions of being burned. although i do understand why i am. Or at least why my girlfriend is. Thank you for everybody's input and advice.

 

[Meisen]

Yeah at least you guys live in a state that mandates insurance.....
I pretty much agree that you gotta have it...or expect to be held acocuntable otherwise. 1300 is very typical for a rear-ender on a late model vehicle. Labor, paint and bumper covers along usually cost that plus there are often energy-absorbing elements that need replacing as well. Since bumper covers are usually plastic, they really aren't easily repairable if cracked or gouged.

Up here in Wisconsin, apparently insurance is optional. My neighbor came rolling home from the bars one night and smacked my PARKED work truck pretty good (hit a F-350 dually hard enough to shear the rear axle and spring assembly and turn the whole truck 45 degrees supposedly at about 20 mph). Did 7G+ of damage and it turns out his insurance had expired a month earlier. We wound up having to go to our collision insurance to cover it since the truck cant be out of commission. Freaking sucks. Anyway, sorry to hijack but just thought the other perspective was worth hearing too. Basically if you ride free, dont expect others to pay for your mistakes (unless you live in Wi).

 

[craftytony]

I've gotten rear ended a couple times...done a little damage here and there...i hate getting insurance and cops involved (especially cops!)...so i just say "no biggie" and off we go....of course that is only when driving my cavalier....if it were the other car it would be a differant story.....and if i got smacked pretty good...lol

 

[sellout007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8042029#post8042029 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by whiirly
what kind of car was it If you hit my car I would insist that I got new parts as well.This is mostly because if it didnt have bondo in it before why should have it in there now.Cars cost alot of money and people are holding on to them longer and tring to keep them as nice as possible

I completely agree. If someone were to hit my car, they would be replacing anything damaged with new parts. Why should someone get something anyless then what they origonaly had just because it saves the person at fault some money. Kinda ridiculous if you ask me.

 

[gvibes]

And to put in some sorrow...WHAT IF someone was killed, you would be screwd FOR LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.....

No, you would just declare bankruptcy. If you can't afford insurance (presumably the only reason you'd not have it), you probably can't afford to defend a lawsuit either. Your credit would suck for a long time, however.

 

[bboersma79]

Insurance isn't looking so expensive after getting the $500 driving without insurance fine, the $100 reinstatement fee...and if you are a repeat offender your license plates are suspended for four months.

Driving without insurance is one of the worst ideas ever, if you can't afford insurance don't drive a car. And yes, when you hit someone it is at least $1,000 worth of damage, I have been hit 3+ times and it is always at least $1,000.

No one is going to have sympathy on this issue. Just take the advice of everyone and make sure your GF gets insurance. If you severly injured someone you would be really screwed as would the person who was the innocent victim. Not to mention everyone elses rates are jacked because of people without insurance.

Check out this site for penalties/info on insurance in IL...
http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/vehicles/mandatory_insurance.html

 

[BlackHawk77]

just because there is no apparent damage on the outside does not mean there is no damage. The bumper supports behind the cover probably need to be replaced.

 

[RobTop]

1300 is pretty cheap. I was in an accident at the end of March. My bills at the hospital, car repair and rentals where over $25,000 at my current rate that is over 30 years of coverage. I'm no math expert but those numbers just work in the favor of having insurance.