My car was dinged by a customer while it was being serviced…
I took my car to the dealership for service, and when I returned, I noticed a small dent and a missing paint chip. The person who opened their door and caused the damage left a note stating he would pay for it. However, after I sent him the repair estimate, he claimed the bill was too high and stated that the dealership is liable, so he wouldn’t be responsible for payment. He even mentioned small claims court during his rant.
I contacted my insurance for advice, and the dealership informed me that this matter is between the two of us, as it’s considered a typical accident. However, my insurance representative mentioned that the dealership might actually be liable due to their insurance covering these types of situations. She is checking with her supervisor and will get back to me on Monday.
Has anyone else experienced something like this? I know insurance policies and liability can vary significantly depending on the location.
Edit: The individual did leave his license plate number, phone number, and the make/model/year of his car. There’s clear 4K video footage of him carelessly swinging the door open, hitting my car hard enough that it shook. While the dent is small and located in a limited area, it’s still significant on a leased vehicle.
I’m sorry to hear about the situation with your car! It sounds incredibly frustrating, especially when you’ve done everything right by getting it serviced. Since the guy left his information and there’s video evidence, you should have a strong case.
It’s good that you contacted your insurance; they may help clarify the dealership’s liability. Typically, the dealership is responsible for the car while it’s in their care, especially if it’s a direct result of their service area. If they are insured for these types of incidents, they should cover the damages.
Keep records of all your communications with both the dealership and the customer. If the customer continues to be uncooperative, keep your insurance updated about any developments. If necessary, you might want to consult with a legal expert about small claims court if the situation escalates further. Hopefully, you get a resolution soon, and your car is back to looking its best!