At Fault (No Insurance) Minor Damage Huge Bill - Seeking Advice

gamble on 15/02/2025 - 15:13
Last edited 15/02/2025 - 15:22 by 1 other user

My grandfather was reversing out of a parking spot and accidentally hit another car—a 2012 Nissan Patrol. The damage to their car was minor, just a small, golf-ball-sized dent. Unfortunately, my grandfather didn’t have third-party car insurance.

Long story short, the other party filed a claim with their insurance, and now the insurer has quoted $12,500 for the repairs. My grandfather feels terrible and wants to cover the damages, but we believe the quoted amount is unreasonably high for such minor damage. For comparison, we got a quote from our panel beater for my grandfather’s car—which took a bigger hit than theirs—and it was only $1,800.

What are his options? Can he request a second quote or dispute the insurer’s assessment?

I understand that not having insurance was a mistake, but we just want to find a fair resolution.

Thank you kindly.

Automotive Car Insurance Insurance Nissan Patrol

Comments

      • Thinkswithelbow on 17/02/2025 - 16:54
        +1

        Wrong
        3 car collision. First car stopped suddenly. Second car collided with first. Last car collided with second.

        Only car not at fault was first car.

        • zathras on 17/02/2025 - 18:01
          -1

          Bad luck. This is why a dashcam is important to tell the full story, so the facts can't be disputed.

          Hmmm, theoretically, your partner could have left enough space between your car and the second car, and that cars braking distance could have been shortened by an unforseeable amount due to the extra stopping power afforded by crashing into the vehicle at the front of the line. Its amazing how quick the car in front can stop when it crashes into something. It might not have been your partners fault that they hit the second car.

          For example, if both your car and the second car were travelling at 60 kph, the stopping distance should have been about 45m each on a dry road. But the second car hitting the car in front might have shortened that distance to 40m, leaving your partner with 5m less distance to stop to avoid hitting the second car.

          There wasn't a dashcam by any chance?

        • Kremleen on 19/02/2025 - 12:10
          -1

          I guess order of collision matters. But as a standard procedure, middle car always claim both front and rear damage from the last car. Onus is up to the last car or first car to prove otherwise.

  • rlf on 17/02/2025 - 10:50

    Do NOT pay.

    Ask for a real bill and when you get that you're more than happy to pay.

    (profanity) repairers that think they can just write whatever on the bill when insurance is paying.

    • JimB on 17/02/2025 - 14:58
      -1

      It's a real bill.

      Bill isn't from the repairer, bill is from the insurer.

      • rlf on 17/02/2025 - 16:29
        -3

        Insurancers don't repair what are you on about

        • Dollar General on 17/02/2025 - 16:34
          +1

          lol

          The other party has gone through their insurance and have already had their car repaired. Insurance company is now chasing OP’s grandfather for the cost of repairs completed and maybe even a hire car (we don’t know the full extent)

          • rlf on 17/02/2025 - 16:35
            -6

            @Dollar General: I'm well aware. It's a fake bill (the bill is real but I mean they've just asked for excessive $$ since the insurance has already paid them).

            Do not pay. They will go away eventually (after debt collectors but insist you will pay a fair bill).

            Maybe in 1-2 years you'll be done with the bastards.

  • eddyah on 17/02/2025 - 11:24
    -5

    Typical crap responses like 'oh shoulda known better'

    OP talk to the other owner of the car and work something out outside of insurance. They have a bit of leverage over you with the $12.5K but you can still make it worth their while.

    If they're nice and normal people then you can offer a cash settlement + repairs for the car.

    That way they don't impact their insurance premiums with a claim. But yeah, talk to them and give them SOME options. Have a plan and discuss with them.

    • gromit on 17/02/2025 - 13:42
      +5

      It is beyond working it out. They have claimed through there insurance, there is zero reason gor them to want any more involvement in the matter.

      • eddyah on 17/02/2025 - 16:20
        -1

        It's a claim, not a contract.

        One can cancel and not proceed with the claim if they speak to their insurer. There's no binding agreement once you make a claim that you gotta go all the way through the process and accept whatever outcome happens.

        • derrida derider on 18/02/2025 - 12:29

          They can't cancel once the claim is paid out. And even if they could, why on earth would they? Their car is fixed, the repairer paid by the insurance company - the whole thing is, from their POV, all done and dusted.

          • eddyah on 18/02/2025 - 18:25
            -1

            @derrida derider: You just made up a bunch of things without reading the OP.

            As your eyes are bad, let me point out the exact wording of what was written: "now the insurer has quoted $12,500 for the repairs"

            'Quoted' does not mean paid out in case you can't read.

            • derrida derider on 18/02/2025 - 20:39
              +3

              @eddyah: But that is just the OP not understanding how these things work. He should have said "billed", not "quoted". No insurance company is going to submit a quote to the uninsured party - for one thing they themselves will not know how much the final cost is anyway because their client is entitled to a hire car until his car is fixed and they won't know how long that will take.

            • gromit on 19/02/2025 - 00:15
              +1

              @eddyah: You seem unaware how the process works. The insurer isnt sending the at fault party quotes for their approval. It will be the bill not a quote. Way to difficult to provide accurate cost till after the work is done.

              • Jono05 on 19/02/2025 - 12:46

                @gromit: This. Everyone going on about quotes. Insurance company isn’t sending quotes to the at fault party. It’s the repair bill which probably includes car hire that’s why it’s that much.

    • Hunter14 on 17/02/2025 - 14:53

      I thought if you have full comprehensive cover, a non-fault claim doesn't impact your future premium? Or am I wrong?

    • FlyingMiffy on 17/02/2025 - 17:20
      +3

      Nope. I would take insurance any day. And Normal people would too. I pay insurance so i dont have to deal with idiots who drive uninsured.

    • afayd on 18/02/2025 - 11:18

      Not sure why you’re getting negged. It’s a good suggestion, regardless of whether the owner of the damaged car takes it up or not. If the repair is actually worth $3000 I’d sweeten the deal by offering 2k more on top ‘for your trouble’ and the op would still save 7.5k. If I were the owner, I’d consider it: I’ll be getting my car repaired and a few Ks in my pocket.

      • derrida derider on 18/02/2025 - 13:19

        But his car is ALREADY repaired and he did not have to pay a cent! He even got a free hire car while waiting for it to be repaired (probably a large chunk of the bill).

        The only argument now is between the insurance company and grandpa - it is no longer his business and he has no way of making it his business even if he wanted it to be (which if he is remotely sane he wouldn't).

        • afayd on 18/02/2025 - 13:48

          The OP says that the insurer has “quoted” which might be misleading if the repair has already been done. Say a repair assessment was done and the car is booked in for repair but hasn’t been repaired yet, couldn’t the insurance company go after the money based on the assessment while the car is waiting for repair?

          • derrida derider on 18/02/2025 - 16:58

            @afayd: They could, but they don't. For one thing they don't know how long it will take - you may have to wait for parts, the repairer could be very busy, etc. And in the meanwhile they're up for the car hire by the insured person, so they don't know how much that will cost.
            In fact in this particular case I'd reckon a big part of that $12500 bill is for car hire.

  • Cluster on 17/02/2025 - 11:40

    I would certainly ask for a second quote from a different repairer. And a detailed breakdown of the first $12500 quote.

    And of course, don't pay a quote. Pay the final fully itemized bill.

    • derrida derider on 18/02/2025 - 13:24

      It IS a bill already, not a quote. The work has been done.

      Certainly he can ask for it to itemized. Though if the insurance company wanted to play hardball (he is, after all, not a customer of their's) they may not even be obliged to do that.

  • ajr5k on 17/02/2025 - 14:43
    +4

    As far as I am concerned, if you can't afford third party insurance, at minimum, you cannot afford a car.

  • JimB on 17/02/2025 - 15:04

    Sorry it happened to your granddad. Hopefully he will take out insurance in future.

    Unfortunately he doesn't have many options. He could ask the insurer for an itemised bill and then offer to settle for half the costs.

    If I was the Patrol owner and I wanted to fix my car, I wouldn't bother dicking around getting the cheapest quote, I'd also let my insurer do all the work. That's why I have comprehensive insurance.

    However, I have an older car, to be honest, if you dented my older car, I'd find 3 quotes, offer you to pay for the middle quote as a cash settlement as not bother with repairing it as long as it's roadworthy.

  • FlyingMiffy on 17/02/2025 - 17:17
    +1

    So whats Grandpa's definition of reasonable?

  • supersabroso on 17/02/2025 - 20:28

    Honestly, just tell them to give you a real quote or that are happy to buy an undamaged replacement as long as they give you their "damaged" car. That way, you could probably sell it for $5k less than what you bought his replacement for. 2012 Nissian Patrols go for as little as $15k drive away.

    • derrida derider on 18/02/2025 - 12:37

      The point is that by the time grandpa gets it it is no longer a quote but a bill, for work actually done (which work will include a hire car for the insured party while waiting for it to .be fixed). Neither repairer, car hire company, nor insurer are under any obligation to revisit their costing.

      If you are uninsured and have an accident this is exactly what will happen to you - they will ALL bend you over bigtime, because they can. The moral is obvious.

  • hasher22 on 17/02/2025 - 22:29
    +2

    It always baffles me that people don't get third party property damage with cars……. it's only like 400 per year

  • Roamingrivers on 18/02/2025 - 00:12

    Your grandfather should get multiple repair quotes for the minor dent he caused then dispute the insurer's inflated $12,500 estimate.

    • derrida derider on 18/02/2025 - 12:46

      And how is he supposed to get those quotes when he has no access to the car he damaged and anyway the damage has already been repaired? You miss the point - grandpa has not been given a quote at all but a BILL for work already completed.

      • factor on 18/02/2025 - 17:50

        … a bill which he is under no obligation to pay until that debt is proved in court - where better evidence than "a bill" will be required. It is on his terms to insist on similar evidence as would be needed in a civil action in court.

  • Atomik17 on 18/02/2025 - 08:03
    +2

    Maybe your family should look after grampa and make sure he's insured.

  • drprox on 18/02/2025 - 09:49

    Sounds like a classic instance of they have a mate in the industry (or shonky brows panels r us) on the job and they're simply quoting to fix every single issue the car has accumulated over its life. Not sure if you have the detailed quote but get it. Obviously if there is damage nowhere near where the impact occurred that could be argued.

  • charkwayteo on 18/02/2025 - 13:49
    +1

    Well like many have said they've already fixed the car so your option is to deal with the insurance company, they'll take you guys to court if you don't pay …maybe you guys could arrange some kind of payment plan. Honestly with the prices of cars now even… sh*t boxes I would not even think about sitting in a car that does not have insurance. 12.5k you guys got LUCKY. That is cheap considering all the overheads involved.. with the likes of companies like right2drive and carbiz etc around.

  • JimmieDimmick on 18/02/2025 - 23:40
    -5

    Just tell insurance company you cant afford to repair the vehicle.
    Just keep telling them reasons such as; Not working. Pensioner. Unemployed. Cost if living etc.
    question the damage and how dodgy it all seems.
    ignore them
    Rinse and repeat.

    Throw in an insurance ombudsman threat for good measure.
    BE AS DIFFICULT AS POSSIBLE.

    Eventually they will drop their cost. Or drop or all together

    It works. Ive seen it from previous experience in the industry.

    Do not feel bad at all.
    Insurance companies are the scum of the earth. They are there to make money. They deny legit claims all the time and work on the one percentiles who push forward with claims to eventually pay out.

    DO NOT LET YOUR GRANDFATHER PAY 12.5K.
    BEST CASE SCENARIO YOU CAN GET THEM DOWN TO A BASIC EXCESS COST.

    • just-human on 19/02/2025 - 03:49

      They will just take you to court and get an order against you.

      • JimmieDimmick on 19/02/2025 - 09:51
        -3

        Negative.

        They are actually unlikely to take a court order for a “small amount”.

        The cost for them isnt worth 12.K to go to court to hopefully secure a judgement.

        They focus on denying claims and going to court over hundreds of thousands to MILLIONS of dollars.
        Not 10k.

        They will push their minions to recover this small amount but not much more.

        I used to work for one of the big insurers. AA

        TO OP;

        DO NOT LET YOUR GRANDFATHER/ YOUR FAMILY PAY 12.5K & BE A BUNNY LIKE THE REST OF THESE COMMENTS

        PM ME

        I ACTUALLY WANT YOU TO GET OUT OF THIS WITH YOUR DIGNITY IN TACT.

        • just-human on 19/02/2025 - 17:49

          The cost for them isnt worth 12.K to go to court to hopefully secure a judgement.

          Sure…It’s not like my folks have had to go to court to help the insurance company with a case against the other party for $12k (they have).

    • Grok on 19/02/2025 - 14:47
      +1

      You do realise the grandfather is the guilty party here don’t you?

      You do realise the insurance company has done nothing wrong?

      What you are advocating for (if successful) is a process that simply increases the costs of insurance for everyone who pays insurance.

      • JimmieDimmick on 19/02/2025 - 17:47
        -1

        “You do realise the grandfather is the guilty party here don’t you?”
        That was established within the OP…

        The OP asked for a fair resolution…
        They also indicated that the other parties insurer was sending him a bill for a small damage that seemed excessive.
        Im not here to get into the minutia of what may actually be damaged thats not visible to justify such a bill/quote.

        The OP wanted help.

        The advice I'm giving works. I know this because i have first hand experience from the past within the actual industry in question.

        You sound like you are defending an insurance company and that is laughable.

        “What you are advocating for (if successful) is a process that simply increases the costs of insurance for everyone who pays insurance”

        It’s established that insurance costs increase over time in general for ALL customers regardless of something like this.

  • Randxyz123 on 19/02/2025 - 01:17

    Has he got a copy of the bill? If not ask for it. And for god sakes why is he driving with no insurance???

  • just-human on 19/02/2025 - 03:54

    Other than asking for the bill and making sure it’s somewhat reasonable there’s not much you can do.

    Labour can get quite expensive and using manufacturer genuine parts are not cheap (we had to repair our car after getting into an accident).

    They have every right to elect to replace the part instead of using a panel beater and then repainting and blending to match the aged colours can add costs too. The person also has to have a rental car to use during the time of repair which can add a LOT of costs.

    I’m sorry for your grandfather though. Hopefully he takes out third party insurance next time. I don’t want to victim blame but my parents have always drilled into me that if you can’t afford insurance you can’t afford to drive.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 19/02/2025 - 08:12

    Get legal advice. Clearly overinflated.

  • Grok on 19/02/2025 - 14:42

    The owner of the Patrol has nothing to do with the OP now. His car is fixed and he has moved on.

    The OP’s grandfathers beef is with the insurance company. They do this for a living, it’s not their first rodeo. They know all the tricks the uninsured play.

    If you end up in court you will surely lose and you will probably be up for costs as well.

    Plead hardship, walk into the insurance office in a walker. See how you go.

  • Muppet Detector on 20/02/2025 - 00:20
    -1

    Has grandpa actually admitted guilt to anyone?

    Is there any proof that grandpa is responsible for the alleged damage?

    Is it possible that grandpa is being charged for damage he did in addition to pre existing damage which accounts for the higher than expected charge.

  • mini2 on 20/02/2025 - 10:23

    I got rear-ended some years ago by an elderly lady, exchanged details and got my car repaired through my insurer. Lo and behold a couple of months later, one irate Karen called me saying how dare I claim on my insurance and got threatened to get my face punched in. My face is still intact, and Karen and her elderly grandmother have not been heard from since.

    Bodywork isn't cheap. $150/hour isn't uncommon. I had an altercation with a parking bollard last year in my other car, while the damage looked small, it ended up costing the insurer $30k.

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