fender bender - WWYD?

mssaint

I got rear-ended a couple of days ago at slow speed. My neck was sore for a couple of days, and my bumper is scratched, but there is no real damage to me or the car. It would cost $600 to get the bumper replaced if I wanted to (to be honest, I really don't - it would be more of a hassle than a scratch-free bumper is worth to me), and I spent $25 on copays for my doctor and a prescription. For context, my car is 10 years old and I plan on driving it until it dies, so I don't need to worry about trade-in.

The other driver doesn't want to go through insurance, which is fine with me as there is very little damage, obviously.

So what should I ask him for?  Part of me is inclined to just let it go, but the other part of me feels like he was careless (and on his cell phone) and he should have to pay....something. But I can't really figure out how to justify asking for money (other than the copays and that's just petty).

maryandkirk0909

mssaint:

I got rear-ended a couple of days ago at slow speed. My neck was sore for a couple of days, and my bumper is scratched, but there is no real damage to me or the car. It would cost $600 to get the bumper replaced if I wanted to (to be honest, I really don't - it would be more of a hassle than a scratch-free bumper is worth to me), and I spent $25 on copays for my doctor and a prescription. For context, my car is 10 years old and I plan on driving it until it dies, so I don't need to worry about trade-in.

The other driver doesn't want to go through insurance, which is fine with me as there is very little damage, obviously.

So what should I ask him for?  Part of me is inclined to just let it go, but the other part of me feels like he was careless (and on his cell phone) and he should have to pay....something. But I can't really figure out how to justify asking for money (other than the copays and that's just petty).

The one time I was rear-ended and didn't want to fix it I just submitted the estimate and my receipts to an insurance company and they sent me a check for the full amount.  I'd probably expect him to do the same because even if you don't fix it, your property is depreciated in value because of the accident.  

I would just get the car thoroughly checked out- I was rear ended once and it bent part of the frame near the trunk and the car had constant problems after that.

thiswillbe

I don't really know what you should ask for, but I just wanted to say asking for the copays isn't petty-- it's money you wouldn't have otherwise spent, so it makes sense for him to pay it. Also, if this made you late to work or something, I would think you could put a value on your time (if you wanted to).

Anything you ask of him is likely to be less than the ticket he would have to have paid for being on his cell phone!

MrsPhilDunphy

I would ask him for the $600 it would cost to fix the bumper. Whether you want to replace it or not isn't the point. The point is that he caused $600 worth of damage to your car.

Litasail

I would probably just let it go (as long as you're okay). I feel like the good karma will come back around at some point.

SecretServiceWife

MrsPhilDunphy:

I would ask him for the $600 it would cost to fix the bumper. Whether you want to replace it or not isn't the point. The point is that he caused $600 worth of damage to your car.

This.

Also, someone hit our car when we weren't home and they left a note to call them.  They didn't want to go through insurance (but we wanted our car fixed) and we did them a favor and they gave us a check.  Honestly, it was the biggest PITA ever.  I will never not go through insurance again.  She was impossible to get ahold of and just unwilling to pay up after we emailed and faxed her copies of the receipt. 

Even if you don't want to get your car fixed, I would go through insurance for doctors visits.  I would not just let this go.  Someone hit your car, caused damage to your car and now your neck hurts.  You should not have to pay or deal with this.  It's not your fault.

victoria1212

MrsPhilDunphy:

I would ask him for the $600 it would cost to fix the bumper. Whether you want to replace it or not isn't the point. The point is that he caused $600 worth of damage to your car.

ditto. 

Mrs.Handy

I got rear-ended one time and I thought I would give the lady a break and not go through insurance. Big mistake. I got an estimate for a cracked bumper and gave it to her. She balked at the price saying, "This estimate sounds like it is for the full bumper, I only hit half of the bumper." I'm like "Bumpers don't come in pieces."

I immediately stopped talking to her and called my insurance company. We had the same insurance company and I got my car fixed.

I would not let this go and call your insurance company immediately. My DH is an adjuster and deals with all the time.

mssaint

So I contacted the other driver and he is surprised that the body shop estimate was $600 and now wants me to take it to his mechanic for another estimate. This is already been such a time suck. Should I just put in a claim?

sarahelisabethm

mssaint:

So I contacted the other driver and he is surprised that the body shop estimate was $600 and now wants me to take it to his mechanic for another estimate. This is already been such a time suck. Should I just put in a claim?

Just put in a claim.  You don't have time for him to be a PITA.

Mrs.Handy

mssaint:

So I contacted the other driver and he is surprised that the body shop estimate was $600 and now wants me to take it to his mechanic for another estimate. This is already been such a time suck. Should I just put in a claim?

Definitely! This is the same crap the lady tried to pull. You don't him anything. He hit you.

tracy042206

mssaint:

So I contacted the other driver and he is surprised that the body shop estimate was $600 and now wants me to take it to his mechanic for another estimate. This is already been such a time suck. Should I just put in a claim?

 

Put in a claim, you shouldn't have to spend more time just to do HIM a favor!

WinesNot Whines

Tell him you'll fax or email him the estimate if he wants to see it (assuming you got it in writing), but you really don't have time to drive your car around to eleventy billion different car shops, and your time is worth something, too. He can either mail you a check for $600 or you'll file with your insurance company. It's his choice.

living_insanity

I'd just call my insurance company and have them deal with the hassle.  Why pay all those fees and not use them.  You are doing him and his company a favor for not suing for the medical costs because trust me I've been in a case for over a year for a similar accident! 

mae141

WinesNot Whines:

either mail you a check for $600 or you'll file with your insurance company. It's his choice.

I agree with this. But add the copay amount. I probably would avoid insurance if possible/easy, because it can lead to an increase in your premuims. DH was in 2 different accidents recently, neither his fault (the other drivers were ticketed on both occasions) yet our premiums went up just because of claim activity. If the guy is going to be difficult, definitly go through insurance though.