Hi all.
I realise this is probably a really straightforward situation but I'd really appreciate some opinions on this:
A few weeks ago, on a hot, stuffy Melbourne afternoon, I returned to my (parked) car to find another car pressed up behind it. The driver was right there. Minor cosmetic damage (though Im not sure how hard the impact was, because iiuc plastic bumpers 'bounce back'). We exchanged details. I went to a local panelbeater and he said the whole bumper would need repair and respray - $880(!). The other driver has texted me saying that they would pay, but now I'm feeling guilty because.. well:
School of thought 1:
Just forget about it. It's just a few minor scratches, I could live with. My whole life I've driven old, dented cars, so they really don't bother me. Even though this particular car is in (almost) pristine condition, it's only a matter of time till all cars end up scratched and dented, right? Don't make such a big deal out if it, and don't force these poor people to make a claim for a minor, innocent mistake.
School of thought 2.
I didn't cause the damage. I didn't set the price for the repair. I am the 'victim' here, so why should I feel guilty about being compensated for my car's 'less perfect' appearance. Besides, this isn't some old bomb. It was my dads immaculate, rarely driven 2012 Honda. It's basically "as new". Also, why be the "nice guy" when I don't know if they would have "let it go" if it were the other way around? Besides, they have insurance, so whats the big deal?
My first thought re: the $880 bill was "damn, what if the other party just gave me say ... $500(?) (as some kind of compensation), and I don't fix it"? (The panel beater told me its a plastic bumper bar so it wont rust/get worse).
Q1: I spoke to my insurance about this (ie as a general, hypothetical question), and they said that accepting money as 'compensation' and not getting your car fixed isn't part of their 'process'. Iiuc they only focus on "repair bills", ie People are supposed get the damage assessed, get their cars fixed first, and then the insurance company send the other party the bill. Is this right? Is there no negotiation/wiggle room here? Honestly, I'm not sure if I'd rather have the $880 and live with the scratches.
Q2: If the other party agrees to (privately) "settle" for a cash payout, and I don't get the damage repaired, does that complicate my insurance situation, because (even if I didn't put in a claim) they would have a record of me them telling my car now has minor cosmetic damage. Will this come back to haunt me if someone read-ends me in future?
Q3: I was reading about how (some) panel beaters (allegedly) overcharge when it's an 'insurance job'. If I go through my insurance, will there possibly be an inflated repair cost, ie much higher than $880? I realise the other party has insurance, but still, on principle, this seem 'wrong'. Otoh I think I *have* to use the insurers repairer, so the matter is out of my hands.
your thoughts, opinions and feedback much appreciated.
thanks
I realise this is probably a really straightforward situation but I'd really appreciate some opinions on this:
A few weeks ago, on a hot, stuffy Melbourne afternoon, I returned to my (parked) car to find another car pressed up behind it. The driver was right there. Minor cosmetic damage (though Im not sure how hard the impact was, because iiuc plastic bumpers 'bounce back'). We exchanged details. I went to a local panelbeater and he said the whole bumper would need repair and respray - $880(!). The other driver has texted me saying that they would pay, but now I'm feeling guilty because.. well:
School of thought 1:
Just forget about it. It's just a few minor scratches, I could live with. My whole life I've driven old, dented cars, so they really don't bother me. Even though this particular car is in (almost) pristine condition, it's only a matter of time till all cars end up scratched and dented, right? Don't make such a big deal out if it, and don't force these poor people to make a claim for a minor, innocent mistake.
School of thought 2.
I didn't cause the damage. I didn't set the price for the repair. I am the 'victim' here, so why should I feel guilty about being compensated for my car's 'less perfect' appearance. Besides, this isn't some old bomb. It was my dads immaculate, rarely driven 2012 Honda. It's basically "as new". Also, why be the "nice guy" when I don't know if they would have "let it go" if it were the other way around? Besides, they have insurance, so whats the big deal?
My first thought re: the $880 bill was "damn, what if the other party just gave me say ... $500(?) (as some kind of compensation), and I don't fix it"? (The panel beater told me its a plastic bumper bar so it wont rust/get worse).
Q1: I spoke to my insurance about this (ie as a general, hypothetical question), and they said that accepting money as 'compensation' and not getting your car fixed isn't part of their 'process'. Iiuc they only focus on "repair bills", ie People are supposed get the damage assessed, get their cars fixed first, and then the insurance company send the other party the bill. Is this right? Is there no negotiation/wiggle room here? Honestly, I'm not sure if I'd rather have the $880 and live with the scratches.
Q2: If the other party agrees to (privately) "settle" for a cash payout, and I don't get the damage repaired, does that complicate my insurance situation, because (even if I didn't put in a claim) they would have a record of me them telling my car now has minor cosmetic damage. Will this come back to haunt me if someone read-ends me in future?
Q3: I was reading about how (some) panel beaters (allegedly) overcharge when it's an 'insurance job'. If I go through my insurance, will there possibly be an inflated repair cost, ie much higher than $880? I realise the other party has insurance, but still, on principle, this seem 'wrong'. Otoh I think I *have* to use the insurers repairer, so the matter is out of my hands.
your thoughts, opinions and feedback much appreciated.
thanks
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