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View Full Version : Accident repair... not going through insurance?

V
03-06-2016, 08:12 AM
On Friday, a 22 y/o rear ended my wifes Honda CR-V. She called me and said there was minimal damage and asked if she should call the cops, mainly because the kid didn't want to go through insurance. I told her that's fine, about the insurance but definitely call the cops in order to get a police report. So she did, 3 cops came and did the report. The kids father showed up to and I think was the one who didn't want to go through insurance. I guess the kid was on his policy and his rates would go up or the kid wasn't on his policy or whatever. I did a quick estimate on the damage with a high/low range to give my wife an idea of the damage. I came up with a range of $1,005-$1,440 before taxes. So yesterday I took it to a local body shop that I've dealt with in the past and Ive been very happy with and got an estimate. They came up with a repair cost of $1,279.

Now my question is, what are the concerns with accepting payment for repairs outside of their insurance? I assume the main concern is with any medical issues. My wife is fine and the hit was not hard at all, just enough to scuff the back of her car. Another one would be having the "guarantee" of the repair(backed by the insurance company). However I feel the shop will do a high quality repair so I'm not worried about how the repair with do over time. It's replacing a textured oem bumper, an oem factory painted trim panel, and painting one side "bumperette" so no structural damage at all. A final concern would be that additional damage is found once the repair work has started and then Id have to ask for more money from the guy. However, I'm not worried that there may be more damage under the bumper that would be found once removed and the guy at the body shop feels the same way with such a light hit. Also, is it "legal" to accept outside of insurance or are they "required" to report it? I just want to make sure I'm not limiting myself by accepting the 1,279. Oh and should I only accept cash or a bank check?

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/IMG_4777_zpsmzz6ilvz.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d50/SmokingSS/IMG_4797_zpsuyujtlyv.jpg
Mike
03-06-2016, 08:24 AM
You aren't obligated to use insurance. I would take a certified check or bank check. A major issue is if they find additional damage after they start working. You have to have in writing that the guy will take care of that. If he won't do that just use insurance
WildBillyT
03-06-2016, 09:55 AM
You aren't obligated to use insurance. I would take a certified check or bank check. A major issue is if they find additional damage after they start working. You have to have in writing that the guy will take care of that. If he won't do that just use insurance

I just got my Passat back from being rear ended in a similar fashion. The body shop I use is very good and easy to work with. They were up front about the estimate possibly being revised, and that's exactly what happened. They ended up replacing the crash foam and bumper padding after inspecting it which pushed the repair bill higher.

I put it through the other person's insurance.
twin99
03-06-2016, 10:13 AM
That is nothing.
You can easily buff most of it out and it would not be that noticeable
I have found out that if you drive long enough all bumpers will get scratched somehow or someway
I would take the cash and call it a day.
V
03-06-2016, 12:13 PM
its the wifes car, she wants it fixed. we just paid it off Thursday.
I agree its minor, but why should we have a marked up car because other people have no freaking clue how to drive. I think ill just get something signed saying he'll pay more if more damage is found.
unstable bob gable
03-06-2016, 01:45 PM
Happy wife=happy life. I'd also get something in writing to show it is a legit deal. If you do a cash and carry ya don't want the other party trying to shake you down after the fact.
twin99
03-06-2016, 01:58 PM
its the wifes car, she wants it fixed. we just paid it off Thursday.
I agree its minor, but why should we have a marked up car because other people have no freaking clue how to drive. I think ill just get something signed saying he'll pay more if more damage is found.

From the pics it was a mere bump,
There is no other damage to be found no need to make it into like some typical car nuts where if the mirror got broken or needs to getvreplaced they all of a sudden need to get a new car out of it.

Trust me $50 spent at a good detailers and or a little elbow grease with a polisher
You will not even notice it and you can use that money towards something useful like food or going on vacation, ect.

Just ask anyone in here that is a detailer.
Besides when you trade it in you will get banged out just same with or without the mark. Honestly nobody cares or notice stuff like that other than your pride.
sweetbmxrider
03-06-2016, 07:29 PM
Its your call on how you want to handle the repair. I would suggest having him deal with the body shop directly instead of you being a middle man. Chances are there won't be additional repairs but better to cover your ass. If he doesn't want to do that, call his insurance company to file a claim.