Minor accident.

bingsta on 10/06/2015 - 19:47
Last edited 10/06/2015 - 21:57

Hi guys

Just wanted some advice. I had a minor car accident where I bumped into another car at low speed. There is very minor paint damage. The other guy will be taking the car for repair quote ASAP. I have a large excess on my insurance and will likely end up paying out of pocket. Should I tell my insurance either way and what is the process if they are not involved? Should I tell the guy to get multiple quotes? He says he doesn't want to get to a "dodgy" mechanic to get it fixed and wants to take it to ford which I imagine will be the most expensive option. Any thoughts would be much appreciated. The guy is actually a decent guy and I realise I am in the wrong etc so would like to concentrate on sorting it out in a fair manner.

Cheers

Edit:
These are the photos:
It was raining so bit of dirt on the guys bumper but basically a few flecks of paint damage and minor damage to the black plastic part.

http://www.mediafire.com/view/35gsi9s6db2upu7/IMG_3825.JPG

Automotive

Comments

  • robbyjones on 10/06/2015 - 19:52
    +2

    Wait and see what the quote comes in at and then decide. I think you are entitled to more than one quote if you are paying, he can take the car where he wants for repair however if he picks the dearer quote then he foots the bill for the difference. I wouldn't tell my insurance company unless they ask, I wouldn't lie about it though because if you are caught it could negate any future claims.

    • elpresidente on 11/06/2015 - 11:17

      Your insurance company doesn't care in the slightest if you negotiate a private settlement for an accident. It doesn't involve them shelling out any money. If there is any damage to your car that you don't repair yourself then you would just have to declare it if it is relevant to a future claim.

  • Steptoe on 10/06/2015 - 20:05

    Check your state governments relevant websites.

    e.g. http://www.lawassist.lawaccess.nsw.gov.au/lawassist/lawassis…

  • cloudy on 10/06/2015 - 20:15
    -1

    If its only paint damage, I can't see how a dodgey mechanic can do a dodgy job at painting…

    • salekhard on 10/06/2015 - 21:16
      +2

      You'd be surprised. Bad colour matching, overspray etc.

  • Bullion78 on 10/06/2015 - 20:21

    I would be pretty wary of him making some cash out of you, especially if he knows a repairer he is on good terms with. Did you snap a photo of it? Get your own estimates to compare.

  • Scorpiogirl on 10/06/2015 - 20:30
    +1

    You can settle it yourself, if the quote is less than your excess for instance, it would make sense. Beware though you could get fooled into paying more than it is worth and you have the added hassle of stressing about everything that comes with this. If you make a claim your insurer deals with it but you have negatives that come from that too.

  • bingsta on 10/06/2015 - 20:39

    So if I tell my insurer, can't I still choose not to use them/pay my excess and just pay for the cost of the repair out of pocket? Will they still mediate for me though? I imagine not?!

    • PVA on 10/06/2015 - 21:05
      +4

      ask them.

      to be honest if I was the other guy I would go through my insurance and let them sort it with you. I would need to pay excess as you are the damager. My insurance company wouldn't be asking me to visit multiple repairers for quotes.

      don't be suprised if it works out to be expensive, even tiny accidents are over a $1000.

      • BlazinPast on 11/06/2015 - 01:57

        Yeah, I had to shell out $1000 for very minor scratching. Nothing I could do.

    • the-mal on 11/06/2015 - 07:06
      +1

      If you tell your insurer, even if you chose not to go through them in the end, your premiums will go up.

      DO NOT tell your insurer unless you intend to claim through them. Any reported accidents (whether you claim or not) will impact your premiums as your risk rating will rise.

  • Ughhh on 10/06/2015 - 20:47

    Ask him to get at least 3 quotes, so unless he's besties with all three, he shouldn't be able to profit from this. You could report the incident to your insurance but not file a claim. If the quote is less than, equal or only a couple hundred above your excess, pay for it yourself. If you file a claim, next time you get into a more serious incident where you're at fault, your excess could be almost double, like mine :(

    • [Deactivated] on 10/06/2015 - 22:52

      The other guy has no obligation to get multiple quotes, or choose the cheapest quote. He can also request rental car costs for the time his car is out of action, and other costs incurred as a direct result of the accident.

      The only requirement is the costs be reasonable to get his car fixed to the condition it was in before the accident. bingsta can dispute/negotiate, and if there's no resolution then the other guy can take it to small claims court or similar.

      • Ughhh on 10/06/2015 - 22:59
        +3

        Correct, there is absolutely no obligation for the other guy to get multiple quotes, or even talk with the OP, he could let insurance handle it all.

        However, it is also not illegal for OP to ask, but then again, Im no lawyer.

  • trex on 10/06/2015 - 21:17
    +1

    Not a good idea to post a photo with the number plate of the other party…

    • bingsta on 10/06/2015 - 21:54
      +1

      good point my bad. removed the offending photo. cheers

  • MynyMouqe on 10/06/2015 - 22:22
    +2

    Some of you guys have no idea how insurance works…

    If he has full comprehensive insurance, he puts a claim in with his insurer. He won't have to pay a cent as it is not his fault. Depending on who he is with, he may have choice of repairer etc, I.e. He can go where he wants, and if he is going through his insurance (which, lets face it, is why we pay them money every year) he doesn't have to deal with you again, provide you any quotes etc - his insurer will deal with you. You can then choose if you want your insurer to deal with them.

    • bingsta on 10/06/2015 - 22:34

      So will his insurer give me multiple quotes if I dont intend to use my insurer? He tells me he is taking it to a ford dealer which I doubt is an authorised repairer under insurance?? Or maybe it is but either way sounds like he is doing it his own way…

      • [Deactivated] on 10/06/2015 - 23:06
        +1

        He gets to choose where his car gets fixed. If you both are going outside insurance, then he'll have to send you a letter of demand requesting payment to get his car fixed to the condition it was before the accident.

        He can get a single quote, or multiple, it's up to him. He doesn't have to choose the cheapest one, he might choose to go with the most convenient repairer. But the costs have to be reasonable.

        If you think the amount is unreasonable, you negotiate with him. If you can't settle, then you both can go to small claims and justify what you think the amount should be. Then you get told what you have to pay.

        If he goes through his insurance, it'll be basically the same thing. You can often settle for less than the insurance company demands, but again, think "what is reasonable".

        When you do settle, you want a signed letter releasing you from any further responsibility and claims.

    • PVA on 11/06/2015 - 07:55

      I thought that's what I said. I agree with you.

      I made an error and said the other person would pay excess, I meant wouldn't pay excess. (typing on a phone, I should proof read before I post. )

  • Gotchas on 10/06/2015 - 22:34

    Excess and policy increasing, possibly doubling the following year

    Some people have high excess eg $2000 then increase of premium and loss of no claim bonus discounts possibly another $2000

  • dylanando on 10/06/2015 - 22:47
    +2

    the ford looks better now

  • the-mal on 11/06/2015 - 07:16
    +3

    For minor car accidents it is better for BOTH parties to avoid insurance. That way both of you avoid your premiums going up (yes, they go up for any claim, at fault or not).

    Get in touch with him ASAP and ask him nicely to get quotes without informing his insurer to stop his premiums going up, and if you get the quote and it's under around $1500 to $1800, you should pay it out of pocket. It'll work out cheaper than excess plus years of increased premiums. And he will also avoid increased premiums. Win, win.

    Car insurance is great for big damage or write offs. It's terrible for small damage as both parties end up financially worse off due to premium increases.

    When you deal with him be apologetic and understanding. You want him to cooperate. If the quote is reasonable then just pay it. And DON'T ring your insurance company, even just to chat about it. They are obligated to use any knowledge they have to work out your premiums. Telling them you were at fault in an accident will make your premiums go up a lot, regardless of whether you claim or not. Keep this on the down low from your insurer and tell him it's in his best interests to do the same.

  • virtuousd on 11/06/2015 - 07:54

    Bear in mind that if he intends to make a personal injury claim in the future, your comprehensive insurer would end up knowing about the accident. It's unlikely but I've seen it happen (unless your ctp and comprehensive are different insurers).

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