I recently got into a minor accident with a car worth around $6,000. The repair estimate for her vehicle is $3,300. What’s the best way to handle this situation?
Last week, I accidentally scraped a car while backing out of a parking spot in West Chester County, NY, right in front of a police officer. The car involved is a 2010 Ford Expedition, which isn’t in prime condition despite its blue book value being just under $6,000. The driver was a young girl in her late teens, and her father received a repair estimate from a local body shop for $3,300. My own car sustained isolated damage costing $1,100 to repair.
Here’s the summary from the accident report:
“The operator of Unit #1 (the car I hit) reported that she was traveling southbound on Main Street when Unit #2 (my car) exited the parking spot. Unit #1 beeped her horn, but Unit #2 proceeded to exit and struck Unit #1. No injuries were reported. Unit 1 suffered minor damage to the passenger side, while Unit 2 had minor damage to the front driver side.”
I mentioned to the officer that the other driver was speeding, but he noted that he didn’t have radar evidence, so it didn’t factor into his report.
What should I do next? Should I file a claim with my insurance, knowing my rates might go up? Should I consider paying for the damages out of pocket? Is there room for negotiation here?
I’m not a legal expert, but I can offer some general suggestions that might help you navigate this situation.
Review Your Insurance Policy: Start by checking your insurance policy to understand what your coverage entails. If you have collision or liability coverage, you might be able to file a claim for her damages. However, consider the potential increase in your premiums.
Negotiate the Repair Cost: Since the estimate is quite high compared to the value of the car, you might want to negotiate with her father. If the car wasn’t in prime condition and has other pre-existing issues, you can present this information to support a lower settlement.
Consider the Cost of Repairs: If it’s feasible, you might consider offering to pay for the repairs directly. This could potentially save you from a higher insurance premium in the future. Make sure to get any agreement in writing.
File an Insurance Claim: If you do go through insurance, be sure to report the accident promptly. Your insurance company can help negotiate the claim and facilitate the repair process.
Document Everything: Keep a record of all communications, estimates, and reports related to the incident. This could be useful if there are any disputes later on.
Seek Legal Advice: If negotiations become complicated or if there is potential liability beyond repair costs, consulting a legal professional could provide you with guidance specific to your circumstances.
Ultimately, weighing the pros and cons of going through insurance versus negotiating directly will help you decide the best course of action. Good luck!