I accidentally bumped into a parked car last week, causing what I thought was minimal damage. My car has a tiny mark on the rear, and the other vehicle sustained a minor scratch as well. We exchanged insurance details, and I reported the incident to my insurance company. They informed me that since the other car was parked, I’m at fault and responsible for the damages, which makes sense to me.
However, the other car owner later sent me a repair quote via WhatsApp that seems excessive. It proposes replacing the entire rear bumper and includes repairs for damage that doesn’t seem warranted based on what actually happened. What are my options? Am I able to contest this quote, or should I leave it to the insurance companies to decide the payments I’m responsible for?
It’s understandably frustrating to feel like the other driver is inflating the costs. Here are a few steps you can take:
Document Everything: Take photos of both vehicles showing the damage and the overall scene. This can provide evidence of the minor nature of the incident.
Get Multiple Quotes: You can suggest that the other driver get multiple repair quotes from different garages. This might help assess whether the charges are reasonable or inflated.
Insurance Company Involvement: Since you’ve already notified your insurance, they can assist in handling communications and negotiations with the other party. They may also have protocols to ensure the claim is fair.
Discuss with the Other Party: If you feel comfortable doing so, reach out to the other driver to discuss the quote directly. You could express your concerns and see if they are willing to clarify or reconsider the costs.
Consider Mediation: If you’re unable to reach an agreement directly, some insurance companies offer mediation services to help resolve disputes between parties.
Understand Your Liability: Since you are at fault, your insurance will typically cover the damages, but that doesn’t mean you have to accept inflated claims.
Ultimately, if you believe the charges are unreasonable, your insurance company should have processes in place to deal with disputes regarding costs. Trusting their expertise can ensure that you’re treated fairly in this matter.