Bumper Damaged by Other Driver, Do I Claim off Their Insurance ?

buderim11 on 21/09/2020 - 16:57

I came back to my car this afternoon which was parked on a public road to find a kind lady putting a note on my windscreen , she advised me she scrapped my rear bumper while she was parking her ute. The damage is minor, some paint missing and a small crack But the bumper will have to be repaired and repainted, my car is a 15 year old mercedes clk and I have fully comp insurance.

I have the following .

A note from the lady telling me she damaged my car with her name and number on it . a copy of her driving
license and a copy of her insurance policy.

My question is do I go direct to her insurance company (racq) to make a claim ? or just go through my own insurance (woolworths) I am concerned if I claim of my own insurance that it might increase my insurance premium on my next renewal .

Automotive Car Insurance Insurance

Comments

  • robberbutton on 21/09/2020 - 17:03
    +1

    My question is do I go direct to her insurance company (racq) to make a claim ? or just go through my own insurance (woolworths)

    You can do either. Being with a budget insurer, your premiums will most likely go up if you claim through them though. I'd be asking the at-fault lady to lodge a claim with her insurance and provide you with the claim number.

    If her insurance gives you a hard time, then you still have the option of lodging a claim with your own insurer down the line.

    • buderim11 on 21/09/2020 - 17:05

      Thanks , her ute had no damage as she had a bullbar , so will she have to make a claim for my car ?

    • singingwolf on 21/09/2020 - 17:12

      Yeah that annoys me how even if you are not at fault, your premium increases. Such a rort.

      • robberbutton on 21/09/2020 - 20:52

        End of the day, even if they recover costs from the other party, you're still costing them more to have as a customer than someone that doesn't claim (admin time, etc). It's shit, it's literally their job, but it's the way it is.

        • singingwolf on 22/09/2020 - 08:12

          True but I pay them over $1k a year to do that admin work. I find moving insurers does the trick.

          • Ughhh on 22/09/2020 - 10:55

            @singingwolf: Have you moved insurers within a few years after making a (not at fault) claim?
            What did you put down when asked if you've made a claim before?

            • singingwolf on 22/09/2020 - 11:59

              @Ughhh: They ask if I have made any at fault claims. I say no. They don't ask about claims in general.

    • apsilon on 21/09/2020 - 17:15
      +9

      There's also the option of getting a quote and having her pay directly so she doesn't have to claim either. I wouldn't normally recommend this but the fact she was honest enough to leave a note when she didn't have to, I'd give her a chance but the slightest delay etc, go to insurance. Make sure when you get the quote you tell them it's not for an insurance claim, it'll usually be cheaper.

      • JDMcarfan on 21/09/2020 - 18:02
        +2

        ^^^second this.
        If the damage quite minor as you've mentioned, get a quote for the damage to be repaired by a trusted body shop and see if the other party is willing to cover the cost in full. (Obviously make mention to the fact that the invoiced price may not be the final price and that she would bear any differences in price).

        If they agree, try to get it sorted out this way. With the at-fault party being a perceivably honest person, you can get a win-win outcome where you get your car fixed without involving insurance, whilst they can get it sorted for what may likely be a lower cost than their excess, whilst also not affecting their No Claim bonus history and by effect an increase in their premiums.

        Be sure to make your best judgement though.

      • Brodo Faggins on 22/09/2020 - 21:53

        Just be advised that panel beater might charge for full aftermarket bumper replacement (uncoloured), 3 different types of paints, labour, + GST for invoicing and you're looking at $1k. Then they're gonna say your reinforcement beam is damaged too and won't let you leave the shop without fixing it because they'll be "negligent" in letting you drive with a damaged beam, and that it'll affect your future crashes. Another $300 + R&R.

        Alternatively you can call/shop around wreckers for bumper in decent condition for $100-$200 bucks, buy an adjustable wrench and DIY with youtube videos.

        The question is whether you have spare time/bothered to do this, or you can't be stuffed and would rather increase premiums, go through a claim and do it without any stress.

    • AustriaBargain on 21/09/2020 - 19:36

      Shouldn't OPs insurer be telling the woman's insurer to pay. Do your really have to follow all this up yourself, what about all the ads on TV telling you not to worry about calling your insurer because they will sort it all out for you. You'd think an insurer would save money if they actively argue for you that the other insurer should pay, instead of everyone just arguing themselves each time it happens. OPs insurer must have a procedure for this and probably want to be know about the accident asap, you'd think.

      • Euphemistic on 21/09/2020 - 19:51
        +1

        You don’t have to get insurer to talk to insurer. You can follow it up yourself to save money, in both repair cost and premium increases.

        If I was in this situation I’d get a quote to repair for cash, then ask the other party to pay. If the repair is minor it is also possible to collect some cash from the other party and not repair - profit. If they choose to make life difficult I go straight to my insurer.

        You cannot go to the other party’s Insurer without them making a claim.

  • Dean29 on 21/09/2020 - 18:02
    +5

    If you have full comp claim through your own insurance. If your not at fault you shouldn't pay excess and premiums shouldn't increase.

    • SF3 on 21/09/2020 - 18:25
      +1

      Agree.

      OP, as the other party admit to fault. You work through your (comprehensive) insurance - as they'll work the other party's insurance company. So you only deal with your insurance provider. As mentioned, you are not at fault, no excess or lost of no claim on your insurance.

    • robberbutton on 21/09/2020 - 20:54

      If your not at fault you shouldn't pay excess and premiums shouldn't increase.

      Except that's not always the case - especially in the case of budget insurers. There was a thread here recently where a budget insurer's claim website explicitly states your premiums may increase if you proceed with a not-at-fault claim.

      • SF3 on 21/09/2020 - 21:19

        your premiums may increase if you proceed with a not-at-fault claim.

        Yikes, would have to be significantly cheaper, to go through that IMO.

        • Ughhh on 22/09/2020 - 00:16

          Also note that if you were to make a claim (even for not at fault), you'll most likely have to declare it next time you get a quote with a new insurer. Some don't care if you were at fault or not, a claim is a claim = increased quote.

  • Seraphin7 on 21/09/2020 - 19:32
    +1

    Go through your own insurance. They can deal with any hassle that might arise. You just need to submit a claim, get it approved, take your vehicle to the authorised repairer and be on your merry way.

    In my experience people can be very accommodating right up to the point where you need them to actually do something, and doubly so when it comes to extracting coin out of them.

  • Willco88 on 04/10/2020 - 00:16

    Really depends what the car is worth IMO.

    Why pay excess for a minor repair job if it's mostly cosmetic?

    Unless a new car or classic car ?

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join