Car Accident - Unbelievable Panel Beater Quote (I Didn't Have Insurance)

Tuftsdude on 25/03/2018 - 08:59
Last edited 25/03/2018 - 19:42 by 1 other user

Hi everyone,

So very recently I had a car accident in the city with someone who was in a rush. We hit each other on the front side panels, my car had a dent and his car was scratched. Now apparently it was a business car, but nothing fancy, existing damage on wheels and surrounding panels of damage. Now simply because I didn't have insurance I told him I'll cover the damage with a panel beater, he took it to his business, got another car apparently to finish his work and sent me a quote within a day. An hour after the accident he called saying the damage is racking up to be over $2000. From past experience with panel beaters and working with people who buy and fix cars with damage then sell for a living, $2000 was about 10x what it costs to fix it at a few local panel beaters.

Final Quote

Damage

I know if it escalates to court he can't prove I was at fault and vice versa, I thought in case I am at fault I'll offer to fix it but looks like some people just want to take advantage.

P.S. I never hit his wheels so the wheel alignment on quote shouldn't even be on me.

I'll try to call his "boss" or talk to the panel beater about getting it fixed at another place or…? What's your advice?

Thanks for reading.

Automotive

closed Comments

    • thatonethere on 25/03/2018 - 13:57
      +1

      Yeah $2k is about right for 3 panels. Though I liked how he added in a cheeky detail for $70

      • knk on 25/03/2018 - 16:17

        Yeah it doesn't sound too far off the mark when you consider they'll likely replace the bumper with a brand new one. Probably could get it cheaper if you hunted around, but why would he bother there's no incentive.

        OP you've have it hammered into you already but you really should at least get third party insurance, this is overall a cheap lesson.

        We're only human, what if you passed out at the wheel or something and ploughed into a building? A business? you could do hundreds of thousands of dollars through no fault of your own, send yourself into bankruptcy, turn your life to shit because you didn't want to pay a negligible sum of money for insurance.

        • solidussnake on 26/03/2018 - 11:09

          Thats where ctp kicks in..

        • thetrain on 26/03/2018 - 14:19
          +1

          @solidussnake: ctp only covers personal injuries

          you need third party property insurance to cover damage to property

  • sakewasabi on 25/03/2018 - 13:51

    Kudos to you for being honest. i too hate to be taken advantage for doing the right thing.

    If I'm in your situation, I'll tell them that you will pay for the damages using your panel beater.

    And if they insist on their own panel beater, get a quote from your appointed panel beater and tell them this is how much you will pay for it and they can sort it out themselves.

    • knk on 25/03/2018 - 16:20
      -1

      Isn't the rule of thumb 3 quotes from reputable panel beaters?

      I had someone try this on me, I rear ended a guy in a crappy old falcon and he had his panel beater insist that I threw the boot etc out of alignment. I barely tapped him, I didn't even need my front bumper replaced. My bumpers plastic wasn't even cracked just marked.

      He handed me a quote and a guys mobile number to call, ended up making him get me 2 other quotes from reputable panel shops which came in at about half the price with half the work (ie no re-alignment from memory). Did the right thing and paid him, but didn't want to considering he tried to take advantage of the situation.

      • whooah1979 on 25/03/2018 - 18:14
        +1

        Isn't the rule of thumb 3 quotes from reputable panel beaters?

        No.

      • TheBilly on 25/03/2018 - 18:48
        +6

        The rule of thumb is, I have comprehensive insurance. If I have an accident I pay my excess and forget about it. If somebody started offering me 3 quotes choice of repairer etc. Id just say, stop wasting my time, speak to my insurance - whether they were insured or not.

  • ravonda on 25/03/2018 - 16:22
    -1

    Well done on being honest. My car was recently knocked into, with a panel dented/cracked, and a rim scratched. Panel beater (through insurance) quoted the job to be around the $2000 mark for now. If the suspension is found to be damaged too, then it will go even higher. The quote you have seems a bit much, I think. Try and see if you can get another quote? Of course, it's difficult on them too because they need to waste time going to a different workshop and disrupts their work schedule etc..

  • Tuftsdude on 25/03/2018 - 16:43
    -4

    Thanks for the replies so far everyone.
    Someone above mentioned I had tyre marks on my rim, it looks like his rubber hit mine going by that, which I didn't think possible considering we hit each other on the side and his panel is sticking out quite a bit around his tyre.

    The actual car owner was pretty rude and stubborn and wouldn't go to any other panel beater from what I understood. He did say something about me talking to his panel beater, which it seems like he has known for many years. A user above suggested I go talk to his panel beater and ask for an in depth quote. I will do that tomorrow and see the outcome. Worst comes to worst it'll go to his insurance -> court, which is fine for me just a slight nuisance taking 2-3 days off to sort it out.

    • Euphemistic on 25/03/2018 - 18:20
      +2

      You’ve already been given and in-depth quote. Why would you ask for more. It is well itemised, shows all the details. You might be able to ask for a discount for cash however, but since it is a business vehicle there may not be a lot of wiggle room in the panel shop quote.

    • [Deactivated] on 25/03/2018 - 18:24
      +8

      Yeah the owner was rude - you smashed his car and now you’re giving him the run around and trying to squirm out of it. You clearly have no idea what you’re talking about yet somehow are educated enough to think he is scamming you.

  • [Deactivated] on 25/03/2018 - 18:22
    +4

    Yep easily $2000-3000+ for the superficial damage you can see in the pic and there may be additional damage underneath.

    No insurance and shocked at a $3000 quote…. good grief.

    • ankor on 26/03/2018 - 00:45

      I remember when a pack of chips was 55c.. Thems were the days.

      • [Deactivated] on 26/03/2018 - 10:16
        +2

        Nah the problem is some don’t care about cars and/or other people’s property. They make a small scratch and think they can just brush it with a similar colour of paint, then generously extend that thinking to beleive it would surely cost about $200 for a gleaming factory finish repair.

        You would be amazed the number of people that cause a crash and seriously beleive they can “generously” hand over $200 cash to cover the repair “and more” and drive off.

  • ipiok on 25/03/2018 - 18:36
    +2

    You'd be surprised how much labour and cost is involved even in the slightest repair, that entire front guard needs to be taken off, repaired and resprayed, same with the bumper.

    I'll admit it's a lot of money for such a small incident, but that's the world of car body repairs, I suggest you try and make some money available in future to pay a premium for car insurance.

  • sam-1966 on 25/03/2018 - 19:36

    Please check which insurance you got since the accident. There is Third Party Property and also Third Party, Fire and Theft - the latter looks much better if you don't want fully comprehensive.

  • Your Friend on 25/03/2018 - 21:04
    +6

    From the title I thought the quote was going to be at least 5k+. You should be thankful its only 2k given you were too much of a cheapskate to get insurance (saved a lot of money didn't you!). Then you've got the audacity to complain the person you hit is being "rude" because he can't be bothered getting you multiple quotes so you get the best deal. Just because you have a lot of "free time" at work doesn't mean everyone does. They are already doing you a massive solid, if I was them I would have just handed your details to my insurance company and let them deal with you.

  • JimmyF on 25/03/2018 - 21:13
    +4

    I Didn't Have Insurance

    Well, there is your problem!

  • Cheeper on 25/03/2018 - 21:25
    -3

    Mobile panel repair would sort that for $700 tops and would do a perfect job. $2k+ is just a con.
    Having no insurance is a very stupid thing. Get TPP at least.
    Lucky this was a cheap one… it could have been $50,000 +++…

  • T1OOO on 25/03/2018 - 22:06
    +1

    2k to fix that is cheap.

    Don’t be s mop head. Get insurance

    Ffs

  • WhyAmICommenting on 25/03/2018 - 22:09
    +11

    Why am I even reading this?

  • Finde on 25/03/2018 - 22:16

    The quote confuses me. You hit his car on one side yet there are costs to repair both right and left sides…

    • pegaxs on 26/03/2018 - 08:47

      That part of the quote is to “remove/refit” left and right. The parts listed are down below. To get the front bumper off to repair/replace it, you need to take the right hand headlight and inner guard trims out.

      • [Deactivated] on 26/03/2018 - 09:51

        Also matching the finish generally requires painting half the car, and even then the dealer will sneer at it at trade-in time. Feel sorry for the other guy.

  • The Gent on 25/03/2018 - 22:21
    +1

    Maybe just take the picture to a panel beater and ask, "Does this quote sound reasonable for the situation I described?"

    Tell them you have no say in where this person will take their vehicle to be repaired, so you aren't shopping around, just a general question.

  • ozzpete on 26/03/2018 - 00:33

    The owner of the other car might not be trying to rip you off or anything, it is however, much more likely, that he went in to panel beater and told them what happened, and panel beater thought they would quote high, especially since the guy in there with the car couldn't care less (since he is not paying for it, you are).
    I would get a few quotes on fixing damage to his car, or maybe if he isn't wanting to take his car for a few quotes, just ask him to take it to one person for a quote (someone you know will give a fair/cheap quote, and do a good job of it still).

  • thargelios on 26/03/2018 - 01:12
    +1

    Or… Tell him to go through his insurance. Then the insurance company will come chase you for the money and you pay them.

  • singlemalt72 on 26/03/2018 - 07:21
    +3

    Third party property insurance - if you can't afford it then you can't afford a car.

    I just registered our second car, the 3rd party cost $113 and it reduced my greenslip by $105, net cost $8

    • thetrain on 26/03/2018 - 14:05

      Damn that's cheap!

      Mine is about 4 times that price, used to be about 6 times (yes 3rd party property)

  • ankor on 26/03/2018 - 07:34

    http://aamcommercial.com.au

    Give these guys a call and see if they can help you.

  • djmm on 26/03/2018 - 07:47
    +1

    OP when in doubt, just ask yourself, what would Jesus do in this situation?

    • Munki on 26/03/2018 - 11:20

      Give thoughts and prayers.

  • jno on 26/03/2018 - 07:51
    +1

    2k couldve paid for full comp 2-3 times over lol goodluck

  • Psul2006 on 26/03/2018 - 08:56

    Panel beating is not as cheap as you think when going through a reputable company that does a good job and if ypu dont have a contract with them. Price does seem a bit steep with the wheel damage etc but just for the panels alone i would expect about $1500. At the end of the day you avoided paying insurance and the excess which would have probably come to about $1000 so its not that much of a loss at the end of the day. Maybe argue the wheel damage to get the price down but just pay it unless you want to go to court. And the fact you already admitted fault and dont have insurance i dont like your chances at court.

    • [Deactivated] on 26/03/2018 - 10:19
      +2

      OP is completely delusional, all the court will do is assign 90% responsibility and tell him to pay the bill. It’s not a counselling and mediation service.

      Actually I hope OP takes it to court to have his arse ripped off.

  • pegaxs on 26/03/2018 - 09:01
    -1

    You’re being torn a new one OP. While the “remove/refit” part looks ok and in line with what I would expect, the parts listing and other things on there just looks out of touch with reality.

    $125 to disconnect a computer? Essentially paying $125 to remove the battery cable. $80 for a wheel alignment? And this is based only on the photo, but there is no way they are replacing the wheel, tyre, front bar and the guard. It looks like a slight rub, not a hard hit. At best, maybe replace the guard if it is bent/out of shape, but the front bar is repairable and the wheel looks like it has more gutter rash on it than accident damage.

    $4000 is a bullshit quote for what looks like there needs to be done. You need to have a word to the smash repairer or find your own that isn’t going to guide a greasy stick into your…. wallet…

    • Euphemistic on 26/03/2018 - 10:31

      Where did $4k come from?

      • pegaxs on 26/03/2018 - 11:31
        +1

        Sorry, my bad, what I meant was $3920.40… it’s on the bottom of the quote OP posted. Sorry I over stated the amount by $79.60. But you’re right, now I look at it, $3920.40 is a much more reasonable price to repair…

        :/

        • Euphemistic on 26/03/2018 - 13:54

          In that case why is everyone else carrying g in about $2k. I didn’t check the bottom line for the quote, just assumed the op has the right number.

          Yes $4k seems excessive. $2k doesn’t seem overly excessive. It could probably be done cheaper, but likely only using rough and ready methods.

        • pegaxs on 26/03/2018 - 14:31

          @Euphemistic:

          he called saying the damage is racking up to be over $2000. (OP later posted a quote for $3920.40)

          I think OP mentioned $2K a few times in their original post. I went off the quote they posted. I would think around $2k would be a far more reasonable quote figure compared to the near $4k one.

          But, according to the neg votes I have received on my post above, people seem to be happy with $4k quote for repairs and paying $125 (plus GST) to disconnect a battery. Or was it the $80 wheel alignment remark that crossed the line?

  • DiscoJango on 26/03/2018 - 09:34
    +1

    Op: too cheap to even pay for 3rd party. Does large damage to someone else's property, claims it's just a scratch

    Some people…

  • tauk on 26/03/2018 - 10:00
    +3

    2k seems very reasonable for the damage caused. You hit the wheel arch, ofcourse it needs a wheel alignment. Cough up the cash and don't be a muppet and drive without insurance in the future, learn your lesson.

  • andyhui01 on 26/03/2018 - 10:08
    +1

    Looks like a hire car as well. You are lucky they are not claiming loss of primary income to cover that car while it is getting repaired. If you want a fair way of doing it, get him to claim insurance and his insurance company will send you a letter of demand. No guarantee it will be cheaper/more expensive but less chance of the owner giving the car to his mate with a panel shop to jack up the price.

  • wkd on 26/03/2018 - 10:19
    -1

    you should be getting at least 3 quotes

  • oz-eh on 26/03/2018 - 10:23
    +2

    I do agree with a few other people here that 2K is quiet reasonable for that kind of damage.

  • playswithfire on 26/03/2018 - 10:45
    +1

    That quote seems reasonable, given it was $700 to get the bumper of my car sanded back and resprayed when a mate accidentally drove it into a ditch, and $3800 for fixing the front of the car when my wife accidentally ran into the back of the car in front.

    Your expectation of it being much cheaper is unrealistic.

  • Seraphin7 on 26/03/2018 - 11:33

    Black Holden Caprice. Business car. Any chance this is a hire car?

    On the assumption that it is, the look of said vehicles is a key point in the value proposition. The owner is not going to want a "close enough" job. They'll be looking for everything primo.

    This, and the fact that you haven't got an insurance company to help you on the matter, means you're getting the full treatment thrown at you. That's not to say you're getting ripped off … everything will be justifiable … it's just that the repairs are covering "the works" and you will find it difficult to argue against it.

    What I can tell you, is there is no way this is a $200 job.

  • ShirokaZe on 26/03/2018 - 11:44

    If you decline to pay the quote, the business will simply go to their insurance company who will likely approve the quote (if they agree with the assessment, which looks like a fair enough breakdown IMO) and add their costs on top before sending you a letter of demand. From the description of events, I am of the opinion that you will be unable to prove you are not at fault in court.

  • MrMoo on 26/03/2018 - 11:58

    Life lessons aren't free. In this case you just learnt why people buy insurance. Think of it as an expensive lesson.

    Those panels don't look damaged enough to warrant a complete replacement. If you look at your photo there is already some weird bumper discoloration under the light that they never got fixed so they don't seem to be too fussed about the condition of the bumper. To be honest I think if they damaged the car themselves, they would of been happy with probably a buff, sand, polish respray to save on costs.

    BUT and this is a big BUT my friend. They have every right to want a new bumper. It's their car, you damaged it. Of course they want to take advantage of this and get everything fixed. You can't fault them for that. If you were in their shoes and got a free repair wouldn't you want to just get the damaged areas replaced?

    The wheel alignment is required because there may be underlying damage under the car that they can't see.

  • shandawgg on 26/03/2018 - 12:12

    Make him/her an offer first. Perhaps $800?

  • OzzyOzbourne on 26/03/2018 - 12:34
    +1

    You can drive without insurance? Wtf. Is this a 3rd world county?

  • suchislife12 on 26/03/2018 - 13:03
    +1

    Having worked for a few different insurance companies this is a quote we wouldn't really question. It would be approved fairly easily.

    It is slightly expensive but could maybe be reduced by $100-200 Max.

  • cyrax83 on 26/03/2018 - 13:18

    2k seems about right

    • pegaxs on 26/03/2018 - 16:37

      $2k seems about right. The quote that OP posted says $3920.40. That is nearly $4,000. That is the part that doesn’t sound right.

  • markinaus on 26/03/2018 - 14:26

    Disconnect computer - $125 - what is that? xD

    • [Deactivated] on 26/03/2018 - 15:57
      +1

      That would be a generic charge line but probably related to the parking sensors which will need to be disconnected and plastic welded back on.

      • pegaxs on 26/03/2018 - 16:41

        Or it could be to disable car systems like airbags. With removal of the front bumper, there could be sensors mounted in the front section of the car that could be triggered while removing the bumpers. But, all that is required is the battery to be disconnected and a let the system dissipate any residual stored electricity.

        The new bumper would have the holes already for the parking sensors. It's highly unlikely they would need to be retro fitted or plastic welded into a "Caprice" front bumper.

        And yes, +1 for "generic charge". It may cover a few different things.

    • cyrax83 on 26/03/2018 - 16:38
      +1

      Pull out a cable. That'll be $125 please

  • eggles01 on 26/03/2018 - 16:50
    -1

    CONTACT EITHER THE DRIVER OR THE COMPANY (BY EMAIL IF POSSIBLE)I ASSUME YOU GOT THE COMPANY DETAILS INCLUDING THE NUMBER PLATE AND TELL THEM THAT THAT QUOTE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AND YOU NEED AT LEAST ONE OTHER QUOTE AND GIVE THEM THE DETAILS OF ONE OF YOUR CHOICES,DID YOU SIGN ANYTHING AGREEING TO PAY THEIR QUOTE,YOU SHOULD KNOW THE ROAD RULES SO WHO WAS IN THE WRONG IN YOUR OPINION,AND HOW DID IT HAPPEN IT SOUNDS LIKE ONE OF YOU MUST HAVE COME OUT OF YOUR LANE TO HAVE THAT TYPE OF ACCIDENT,IF YOU DID NOT SIGN ANYTHING DO NOT PAY UNTIL YOU RECEIVE OTHER QUOTES,GOOD LUCK

    • bobbified on 26/03/2018 - 17:03
      +2

      Just FYI, if you press the caps lock key on your keyboard again, it unlocks the caps.

  • [Deactivated] on 26/03/2018 - 16:57

    Another post from someone who shouldnt be on the road.
    Cars cost money, go get a skateboard

  • reactor-au on 26/03/2018 - 17:08

    Here I was, all this time, thinking at least third-party insurance was required by law….

  • [Deactivated] on 26/03/2018 - 17:13

    I'm going through similar thing just now, with a quote over $9000.

    I've rear ended my neighbour (Asian), end to end. I had no damage and he had no damage. We are both insured with the same insurer (AAMI) so I thought that should be easy.

    He went to his panel beater (Asian) to have it looked at and said I should contact my insurer because it would be over $700 and I'm better off paying excess. I said fine.

    3 weeks later, I called the insurer and asked what's the go as I didn't know anything. The insurer said that my neighbour had his car fixed for $9000 when the car costs $8000 in total (old Honda Accord). Again, there was NO visible damage, I probably hit him at 1 - 2km/h I was reversing out of the garage.

    There you go.

  • rollypollym on 26/03/2018 - 17:16

    Where you at fault? Not having insurance doesn't make you at fault. You say he was rushing. If not at fault why admit liability?

  • Moderatorscrimshaw on 26/03/2018 - 17:28

    Thread closed (Request by OP)

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