My car got dinged by a customer while it was being serviced…
I dropped my car off at the dealership for service, and when I returned, I found a small dent and a missing paint chip caused by someone opening their door. The person who caused the damage left a note offering to pay for it, but after I sent him the bill, he claimed it was too much and that the dealership is responsible, so he wouldn’t be paying. He even mentioned small claims court in his message.
I reached out to my insurance for advice, and they told me that since this is a standard accident, the dealership says it’s up to us to handle it. However, my insurance mentioned that the dealership might be liable due to their insurance covering these types of chain of custody issues. They’re checking with a supervisor and promised to call me back by Monday, so I’m waiting for their update.
Has anyone else experienced something similar? I know insurance coverage and liability can vary by location.
Edit: The guy left his license plate number, phone number, and details about his car (make, model, year). There’s also clear 4K footage showing him swinging the door with no regard and hitting my car hard enough that it shook. It’s a noticeable dent on my leased car; while it’s in a small area, it’s still a dent.
I’m sorry to hear about the trouble you’re having with your car. It’s frustrating when incidents like this happen, especially when you’re relying on a dealership for service. It sounds like you have some solid evidence with the video footage and the note from the person who caused the damage, which will help your case.
In situations like this, it often comes down to the degree of responsibility that the dealership holds while your car is in their care. Given that the customer admitted fault and left his information, you may have a stronger position. It’s good that you’re also involving your insurance; they can give you a clearer picture of your options based on state laws and how liability is interpreted in your area.
If the dealership’s insurance is involved, they may handle the claim without you needing to take it further. However, if it escalates to small claims court, be sure to document everything, including the video evidence and correspondence with both the owner of the other vehicle and the dealership. Keep a detailed record of all communications regarding the incident.
Hopefully, your insurance will provide you with some solid guidance on how to proceed. Stay persistent, and best of luck resolving this!