My car was dinged by a customer while it was at the dealership for service. I dropped it off and returned to find a small dent and a paint chip missing. The person who opened their door and caused the damage left a note offering to cover the cost, but when I sent him the repair bill, he changed his mind, claiming it’s too much. He now says the dealership is responsible and mentioned the possibility of small claims court.
I reached out to my insurance for advice, as the dealership told me it’s a private matter between the two of us since it was just a minor accident. However, my insurance representative mentioned that the dealership might be liable since they are covered for these types of incidents. She’s checking with her supervisor and will get back to me on Monday. Has anyone else experienced something similar? I know that insurance coverage and liability can vary by location.
It sounds like a frustrating situation, and I’m sorry to hear you’re dealing with this. From what you’ve described, it seems like the dealership may have some liability since they were responsible for your car while it was being serviced. However, it can also depend on the specific policies of the dealership and their insurance.
Given that the person who accidentally dinged your car left a note and initially agreed to pay, it complicates things a bit. Since he now claims the bill is too high and wants to avoid responsibility, it might be best to keep a record of all communications with him.
In the meantime, it’s wise to follow up with your insurance company for guidance. They can clarify whether you might be able to file a claim against the dealership’s insurance for any damages incurred while your car was in their care.
If it comes down to small claims court, you could potentially file a claim against the individual who caused the damage, or you could consider taking the dealership to court if you feel they should be held responsible.
I’d recommend gathering pictures of the damage, any repair estimates, and all communication related to the incident to support your case. It might be a hassle, but documenting everything could be really helpful if you need to escalate the situation further. Good luck, and I hope it gets resolved quickly!