Accident with Amazon delivery driver - how should I proceed

LJimmmyF on 28/01/2023 - 18:49

Just thought I'd like to hear what you guys think of this situation.

So today, an Amazon flex delivery driver did not engage the handbrake resulting in their car rolling and hitting mine. This was all caught on dashcam and I have exchanged details with the at fault driver.

The at fault driver has kindly requested me not to deal with insurance but rather get a quote from my panel beater and he'll pay the cost. This is because he was driving his friend's car and supposedly his friend recently already claimed an accident and doesn't want the premiums to go up. He also thinks this will be cheaper…

However, Amazon customer service contacted me and said I could also file a claim with their insurance covering the driver. I think the company is ARC claims. Amazon was notified of the accident because my neighbour who received the parcel contacted them.

This leaves 3 options:

  1. Contact my insurance (RACV) and give the other drivers details
  2. Get the car fixed privately with my panel beater with the delivery driver paying
  3. Claim on Amazon's insurance

Option 1 leaves a black mark on my name as RACV will record the accident despite not being at fault. The issue with option 2 is that it's going to be quite expensive (European car) and the delivery driver insisted he is an international student who doesn't make much. I've started going forward with option 3 but I don't know much about the process with ARC insurance.

What do you guys think? Has anyone claimed on Amazon flex insurance before?

Automotive

Comments

  • anzacpaul on 30/01/2023 - 15:28
    +1

    I had this same exact incident with a delivery driver. Told me to go visit his panel beater mate who will fix it up. I had a broken tail light and decent rub/scratch on the corner of the bumper. It was a massive stuff around, and in the end a month later I got a 2nd hand tailight from the guy and $400 (after telling him i'm going to insurance).

    Fitted the tailight and pocketed the $400 and lived with the marked bumper.

    Moral of the story is go through insurance, or be willing to take a gamble that your car may never be fixed or you may never be paid.

    • JimmmyF on 30/01/2023 - 15:42
      +1

      What's what the driver tried to get me to do - go to his panel beater mate or he himself will try and fix it. Even showed me how much the replacement part will cost. Of course I refused that and said if he wants to sort it out privately, I get to pick my repairer.

  • ribze1 on 30/01/2023 - 15:37

    Relevance of them being an Amazon flex driver? I presume a "contracter" it's all about them and nothing to do with Amazon. Bezos ain't paying.

    • JimmmyF on 30/01/2023 - 15:39
      +1

      Relevance is that there is option 3 where I can claim on the contractor's insurance directly (Amazon's insurance - ARC claims)

  • NotCheap on 30/01/2023 - 15:49
    +3

    "He was driving his friend's car and supposedly his friend recently already claimed an accident"

    Just nope. Sounds like the guy shouldnt have been driving and was probably doing some dodgey scheme where the guy that actually got the job is subbing it out for cash to people that cant get the work etc.

    Option 1 for sure just contact your insurer and thats the end of the story; if you're feeling nice (cos the guy's got your address) you can pass on the guys details; or pass on your insurance claim number to the guy so he can arrange making a private payment to pay for repairs. Either will end up wasting your time so just go through your insurer. Yeah you wernt at fault, but this shits like when you get hail damage - not your fault, but you have a car and shit happened so premiums+ - its just life.

    Option 2 - Nope. You carry ALL the risk and it'll end up wasting your time. No way in hell. What about after the quote, they find more things broklen when they actually pull things apart - you think your guy is gonna pay more?? nope.

    Option 3 - Nope. You're on their terms, their repairer etc. Take to x for quote, take to y for repairs. What if something goes wrong later? or you have quality problems with the repair - you think they'll help you?? nope.

  • Empharand on 30/01/2023 - 15:53

    The at fault driver has kindly requested me not to deal with insurance but rather get a quote from my panel beater and he'll pay the cost.

    This is all too common, and very rarely ends well. I have heard of people getting quotes, approaching the other party and then they turn around and say they want their own quotes, or they want to put it through their friends/brothers/cousins shop as it's 'Cheaper'

    This leaves 3 options:
    Contact my insurance (RACV) and give the other drivers details
    Get the car fixed privately with my panel beater with the delivery driver paying
    Claim on Amazon's insurance

    You could try Option 3 - but keep option 1 in reserve if Amazon or their insurer piss fart around.

    If insurance companies didn't slug you with premium increases for Not-At-Fault claims then I'd say Option #1 100% but going through your insurance (and subsequentially going through their insurance) may result in your premiums going up.

  • minniethemoocher on 30/01/2023 - 21:01
    +1

    Once a claim is made any insurer can see who was involved plus you have a duty to tell your insurer you were in an accident. I have never seen my premium increase for a not at fault claim fortunately.

    • THICKnSLOW on 31/01/2023 - 07:46

      Insurance records location of incidences and damage repair to vehicles.

      The increase in premiums would affect that location and that vehicle brand and model.

      I think this point was proven by the number of bogan P platers buying WRX's and seeing the insurance premiums skyrocket.

  • R-Man on 30/01/2023 - 22:53
    +4

    Option 1 and change insurer next year?

    Option 1 leaves a black mark on my name as RACV will record the accident despite not being at fault.

    Is this common? I've just done a test quote for AAMI (would be the same for GIO, Suncorp etc)

    It asks how many claims in the last 3 years, I selected 1 and it asks me whether excess was payable I said no. The quote at the end was the same as the quote with 0 claims.

  • NamandSpam on 31/01/2023 - 09:38

    your premium goes up too even not at fault. Part of the underwriting questions when you get a new insurance quote/policy. so best not to claim under insurance.

    • Poor Ass on 31/01/2023 - 13:17

      yep if it doesn't they wouldn't ask it

      it's like asking did you have bad luck but didn't cause it

  • Windows7forever on 31/01/2023 - 14:10
    +1

    Make Bezos pay.

  • Fuzzy Toaster on 31/01/2023 - 14:53
    +3

    This should 100% be your insurance's problem to deal with, not yours. Option 1 all the way.

  • altitudinous on 31/01/2023 - 15:01
    +1

    I don't know why people ask these questions. I mean, why do you have insurance? Just use your insurance and wipe your hands clean of the matter. Its not your issue. Why devalue your car, and your time by trying to do this yourself.

  • Whomastadon on 31/01/2023 - 19:05

    Use your insurance.

    It's what you pay them for.

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