Collision with a Stop Sign - help needed

Lgctravel on 17/09/2014 - 19:57

Hi guys,

I am turning to the almighty ozbargain for help. =)

I am in Sydney and I crashed my car into a Stop sign the other day.

The bottom of that stop sign was partially out of its cement base and the top fell onto the wall behind it.

As the accident happened near a residential building, the Strata company came to me with a repair bill which is over $1K (replacing the sign, repaint and straightening the pole).

I do have comprehensive car insurance, but I am concerned that if I put it through the insurance system it may have negative impact on my future premium and then I might end up paying for more along the way than simply taking care of that repair bill myself.

Just wondering if anyone who has knowledge or similar experience on this can give me some tips/advice about what the best strategy is right now? Does anyone know if over $1K is a regular/reasonable price for fixing a stop sign or am I being ripped off? Does anyone know any reputable construction or maintenance company that I can probably get a better quote from myself?

Thanks!

Automotive

Comments

  • whooah1979 on 17/09/2014 - 20:15
    +2

    Was this stop sign on private propety?

    • gctravel on 17/09/2014 - 20:32

      It's near the entrance to a residential building's car park.

  • c64 on 17/09/2014 - 20:23
    +72

    you did read the sign before driving into it, didn't you? :)

    • gctravel on 17/09/2014 - 20:32
      +8

      hahaha, I wish I did.

      • [Deactivated] on 17/09/2014 - 21:58
        +33

        The rare occasion where a stop sign quite literally stops you… lol

  • adamren on 17/09/2014 - 22:01
    -4

    Is it the standard official stop sign? Isn't it council property, so they would fix it from ratepayer's funds. Get your own quotes for fixing the cosmetic damage to the wall, $1000 is ridiculous. Just go there and paint it yourself and write an invoice then go to them and pay it and get a receipt. They sound a bit dogdy.

    • johndowy on 19/09/2014 - 16:03
      +1

      $1000 sound perfectly fine for (replacing the sign, repaint and straightening the pole).

    • Tnetennba on 21/09/2014 - 02:45
      +1

      So if I crash into someone on the road, I can go to their car with some polish and hammers and fix it myself? No, you'd get a professional to do it as that is expected.

    • nikey2k27 on 21/09/2014 - 08:14

      if you hit a road sign cop no who u are you pay for your self. i know hit light post it was 12,000 big one you see on road way.

      • ThadtheChad on 21/09/2014 - 16:06
        +4

        English, my friend, do you speak it?

        • [Deactivated] on 21/09/2014 - 16:21
          +8

          That's just nikey. He's only just started learning English. Or at least that's what he used to say 10 years ago (mildly NSFW, I guess?). Not sure what he says now.

        • Ughhh on 21/09/2014 - 18:21
          +2

          lol I think he wants to improve his English by writing more, but constantly writing gibberish isn't really helping him/herself.

        • [Deactivated] on 21/09/2014 - 19:17
          +4

          @JLove: Yeah, I thought that on atomic 10+ years ago. But after 2-3 years of him posting many times per day it became apparent that he wasn't trying to improve.

        • striker5950 on 22/09/2014 - 17:16

          LOL pulp fiction http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysXMUj7XJ5Q

        • ThadtheChad on 23/09/2014 - 19:01

          @striker5950:

          Hehe… that's what I was getting at while trying to be polite.

      • striker5950 on 22/09/2014 - 17:18

        @nikey2k27 your spelling bro.. its making me cringe

  • toristo on 17/09/2014 - 22:02
    +11

    How much is your time worth? How much is your excess?
    You pay for insurance to pay these expenses PLUS remove the issues associated with it. They do the running around and arguing etc on your behalf.

    If your excess is more than $700 I'd probably offer then body corp $800 cash to settle the matter, or let them know you'll have to lodge it with your insurance company which may take some time to pay out. Worst case, they say 'we'll wait' and you have to pay your excess and possibly higher premium next year (marginally normally).

    If it's less than $700, just use the insurance and save the heartache.

    • rmamila on 21/09/2014 - 13:11
      +1

      True, if your excess is 700 or less it would be better to go through insurance given the time and hassle you save. Your insurance would go up a bit next year but won't be too high.
      Tradies time is not cheap anyway. If they fix this from so called professional Tradies the money they are asking is reasonable.
      As suggested you can always negotiate with Strata company and settle in middle grounds. First of all try that and see.

  • Cheeper on 18/09/2014 - 02:38
    +1

    Insurance excess… future premium rises… ???
    Just pay the $1000.
    It seems a bit steep but not overly so.
    You could offer to have it repaired to their specifications and get some quotes yourself. You have the right to do that BTW. You might save a couple of hundred?

    • Kempe on 19/09/2014 - 16:17

      I doubt they have the right to do that
      If someone for instance damaged my property I would not be accepting a quote they come up with

      • heatseeker424 on 21/09/2014 - 15:21
        +2

        It's not a quote 'they come up with' its a quote that someone who will replace the sign will 'come up with'.
        In these situations I always ask the 'victim' to get at least two quotes.

  • KSherry on 18/09/2014 - 03:21
    +2

    1k seems a lot high. Stop sign $120, galvinized pole $50, fittings $30 = $200 and these figures are on the high side. It would take about 10 minutes to fix unless they need to concrete the pole in the ground.

    • Geewhizz on 18/09/2014 - 06:11
      +4

      Yes, it seems crazy to 'repair' a galvanised pole (if that's what it is) when they're not going to cost that much to replace.

      I'm just glad there wasn't a child standing there though instead of a stop sign.

  • pjetson on 18/09/2014 - 09:05
    +8

    Does the sign belong to the strata company? Is it on private property?

    Ask the strata company for an itemised bill. Ask someone else to quote for the work. Then you'll know if the amount is reasonable.

    • hahaboy on 20/09/2014 - 22:49
      +2

      Yup. I like this idea of getting an itemised bill too.

  • rack on 18/09/2014 - 10:14
    +11

    Here:

    https://www.seton.net.au/traffic-parking/traffic-parking-sig…

    Stop sign $116
    Post - $115
    Bracket - $17
    2 bags cement mix - $15

    Your time and labour

    Only problem is that strata might not allow you to do the work yourself as you are a liability to them. And this is where a tradesman comes in with associated license (if any) and insurance which is where the bill goes up.

    Also they need to show that the post has been erected to industry standards (if any). Just in case it hasn't been properly installed and someone else drives in it and get injured due the post etc etc . The strata won't be able to blame you as they took risk themselves allowing an unqualified person to undertake the work.

    Good luck if they let you fix it yourself.

  • [Deactivated] on 18/09/2014 - 10:17
    +1

    Get your own quotes for sure.

  • c64 on 18/09/2014 - 10:35
    +2

    if your excess isn't too high i would just let your insurance company handle it.

  • trilby on 18/09/2014 - 11:03
    +3

    If you're saying the stop sign is partially out of it's concrete base, then the $1000 repair cost doesn't sound unreasonable - they'll have to get a couple of people out, dig it out of the base, re-cement it and fix the other details. Be thankful that's all it is. Don't know why the strata is paying and not the council - should ask about that.

    • [Deactivated] on 19/09/2014 - 22:08
      +5

      Council is fixing it, the $1000 fee is for the phone call to council.

  • bigticket on 18/09/2014 - 11:44
    +1

    It still is not clear from the OP description whether the sign is on private property or not.

    As far as I can tell if the sign is not inside the property line then the sign is on council land and belongs to the council and has nothing to do with the strata.

    If you damaged the wall on the other hand then they could bill you for the wall.

    I see signage damaged all over the place and the council replaces them all the time, but since the strata have your details the council may bill you for it. It should not be anywhere near $1000 dollars and its something you could do yourself with a mate in less than 1hr with a bag of quick set concrete and some digging tools. If not hire a handyman from the local paper and it should not cost more than $120 plus parts.

  • gctravel on 18/09/2014 - 13:09

    Hi guys, thanks for all the valuable inputs, really appreciate it! =)

    As the sign is right next to the building, and fell onto its wall, I would assume it is within their private property. Does that change things?

    And as for getting my own quotes, is there any good starting point that takes on private clients?

    Sorry about all the questions, honestly I am a bit lost about what to do.

    • Kempe on 19/09/2014 - 16:59
      +3

      I think your quotes are only good as a guideline that your not being ripped off, you cannot make them accept a quote you have.
      They get the quotes and you can pick one
      Just stop and think, if I damaged your property would you accept a quote I come up with, that could be a dodgy job

  • itstuan on 19/09/2014 - 17:29
    +5

    Stop sign $116
    Post - $115
    Bracket - $17
    2 bags cement mix - $15
    Hitting some kids who happen to be there - priceless

    Still thinking $1000 is unreasonable? Just let your insurance handles it and stop driving like an idiot next time. You might not be as lucky as this time.

  • Uncle Chop Chop on 19/09/2014 - 18:26
    +2

    Pay the $1000, or get your own quote - but involve the insurance company at your own peril. Usually they'll require you to report the crash to police as part of the claim, and unless you've got one hell of an explanation as to how you managed to collect a fixed stop sign, there's a good chance you'll cop a fine or court appearance for drive without due care (exact offence and process varies from state to state) with associated demerit points / licence suspension etc etc.

    Not worth it, especially when you factor in the increase to your insurance premiums for the next 3 to 5 years.

    • [Deactivated] on 20/09/2014 - 10:49
      +1

      A bit of a stretch about Police involvement, let alone courts. If it was on Strata property than it might not even be a legally binding stop sign.

      • Uncle Chop Chop on 20/09/2014 - 12:32
        +1

        If you read the thread the op already said the stop sign is being fixed by council - so it's public property. Lol and I know at least 6 traffic coppers that fine / report at every crash they deal with - there aren't any "accidents", someone is always at fault - that's the way the law sees it.

        • cim85 on 21/09/2014 - 08:45

          Yes Uncle Chop Chop is spot on - the coppers don't believe in accidents - they take a 'collision' report and will definitely apportion blame to get rid of the file. So you may well cop a blister oer this matter.

        • kwv42 on 22/09/2014 - 16:16

          But isn't a thing where you don't need to report a crash to the police, where the damaged is less then say $1,000?

        • Uncle Chop Chop on 23/09/2014 - 01:09

          @kwv42: Yep you're correct, but what you're talking about is the legislated requirement to report a crash, with consequences if you don't. i.e. you must report a crash where estimated damage is greater than xxxx. With minor crashes, there's no penalty for not reporting it - but that's not to say you can't or shouldn't report it.

  • [Deactivated] on 19/09/2014 - 22:12
    +1

    Just get insurance to cover it. That's why you've got it. If you're worried about premiums give the company a call. I once failed to lift my handbrake up far enough and my car rolled into a neighbours fence, I called my insurance company and the lady I talked to was more than happy to give advice before I made any statements of what happened, etc.

  • Peace Maker on 19/09/2014 - 23:31
    +1

    and the top fell onto the wall behind it

    replacing the sign, repaint and straightening the pole

    Everyone quoting the cost of the post and sign are forgetting there is a wall to repair as well. That is the 'x' factor in this quote.

    Got some more details on this OP?

  • ChatCPT on 20/09/2014 - 00:01
    -1

    Wow all this for 1k. I've spent a lot lot more than that fixing other cars/paying fines and never thought twice

  • badg3rz on 20/09/2014 - 10:09
    +1

    Although the details provided still seems foggy, was the sign previously damaged or not to correct industry standards?

    You could argue the fact you ran into it as you did not see the stop sign as it was previously damaged and/or not to industry standards hence you are not paying, and then hit them up for damage to your car. ;)

    But as an operator for a vehicle of any kind, you are the operator in control and responsible for knowing your surroundings. What if that was a person standing there and was run over? A mother with a pram? Too many possibilities.

    Perhaps you need to be more careful with your actions?

  • [Deactivated] on 20/09/2014 - 10:47
    +1

    Any chance of posting a picture so we can tell if it is likely to be Council/Strata property? A nice long shot showing the surroundings.

  • salem on 20/09/2014 - 12:41
    +1

    If you have comprehensive, then it will all be bundled into the repair costs of your car as well. You'll only pay excess on the one claim, which will cover all costs. So if you're claiming insurance to get your car repaired, may as well throw in the pole and wall.

    If you didn't actually damage your car though, then it gets a bit murkier. But if my excess was $500 or less I'd claim. Just let the insurance deal with it. Not worth the hassle of handling it yourself.

  • Quotationz on 20/09/2014 - 13:23
    +2

    Perhaps tell them you were minding your own business and the stop sign came and hit you ;)

  • gctravel on 20/09/2014 - 15:18
    +2

    Thanks guys for all the advice, I have decided to put it through insurance to save the hassle. =)

    • [Deactivated] on 20/09/2014 - 17:59

      smart man.

      • Uncle Chop Chop on 20/09/2014 - 18:40
        -2

        Since when does an insurance claim reduce hassle? As I said earlier, most insurance companies require a crash be reported to police before they'll process a claim. That's a hassle, and with a very real chance of incurring a fine plus demerits, or worse. On your P's? Not anymore…

        Then you've got the insurance excess, plus 3-5 years of increased premiums. Depending on make and model, that alone could easily dwarf $1000.

        Unless there's significant damage to the car, I'd be offering $800 to have it done and dusted. Much simpler.

        • kimmylala on 21/09/2014 - 10:59

          I work in the industry and never heard of that. The only time you require a police report for a claim is theft & malicious damage.

        • Uncle Chop Chop on 21/09/2014 - 15:18

          @kimmylala: I've been in the police 15 years mate, and the number of people I've had ring me to report a minor crash that happened 2-4 weeks ago because they were instructed to do so by their insurance company would number in the hundreds.

          It makes perfect sense if you think about it. Police do a preliminary investigation into every crash to make sure everything is above board, and record the results on the crash report. The insurance company then has the option to pay a small fee for a copy of the report.

          If you crash while drunk, the insurance company isn't obliged to pay up. Unlicenced? They wont pay up. Unregistered? Yep, you get it. I can't guarantee that every single insurance company out there requires you to report the crash, but from my experience it's common.

        • Ughhh on 22/09/2014 - 17:39

          I was going to say this may vary from state to state, but I see you're from SA. As far as I know, accidents don't need to be report to the police if (and not limited to):
          1. No one was injured
          2. Tow truck wasn't required, nor was traffic police required.
          3. Damages between the cars is less than $3000 total
          4. I think if any other private or public property was not damaged
          5. Not a hit and run, and both parties are willing to exchange details

          Last time I was in a rear end accident, we went to the police station, the cop basically asked us those questions and determined that it wasn't necessary to file a report. If the repairs end up being over $3k, we can just report online.

        • Uncle Chop Chop on 23/09/2014 - 01:15

          @JLove: Yep you're correct, the legislation doesn't require you to report minor crashes (at least in SA). That's not to say you can't report the crash, it's optional, and I've taken plenty of minor crash reports in my time - most because it was required by driver's insurance companies.

        • noyesmaybeok on 23/09/2014 - 05:29

          @Uncle Chop Chop: is correct. We got hit and insurance wouldn't do anything until a police report was filed first.

  • save my dollarydoos on 20/09/2014 - 21:27
    +5

    Gotta love the peeps telling him to be more careful. Accidents happen and he's under no illusion that it wasn't his fault. And im sure the experience will teach him that.

    He's here to work out what way is financially best to fix the issue at hand. The same reason peeps sign up here in the first place.

    So push off with the white knighting. Your not helping any one.

    • hahaboy on 20/09/2014 - 22:52

      not sure who this is aimed at. Most of the comments are just puns/jokes about it being a 'stop' sign and actual advice on getting quotes etc.

      • save my dollarydoos on 21/09/2014 - 01:19

        The few peeps bringing pointless hypotheticals where children or mothers woth prams could have been in the way.

        • save my dollarydoos on 21/09/2014 - 12:34

          @badg3rz:

          Lol sensitive much?

          If accidents didnt happen then no one would need insurance would they?

          OP didn't state he was doing burn outs or being reckless nor was OP trying to shirk responsibility for his actions. So your hypotheticals from your high horse are unnecessary.

          So settle down

        • [Deactivated] on 21/09/2014 - 14:56
          +4

          Get over it, what is your problem? Don't like it, don't read it.

          @badg3rz: How do you know you're not going to like it before you read it? Be more careful with that logic, you might kill some children and pregnant mothers.

  • nikey2k27 on 21/09/2014 - 08:13

    I had deal with this before i hit a tree inside my old complex it cost 4000 to fix. no they will not let you do the work your self i would pay for or fight the body coup people. do you own or rent?

    • alizzan on 21/09/2014 - 09:11
      +3

      How do you fix a tree?

      • Ughhh on 21/09/2014 - 11:27
        +5

        Probably had to call the tree ambulance and was sent to the tree hospital, maybe plastic surgery

        • alizzan on 21/09/2014 - 11:54
          +3

          Which branch of the tree hospital? Hopefully it wasn't too rooted.

        • salem on 21/09/2014 - 12:23
          +5

          @alizzan:
          I hope the driver didn't run off without leafing their details.

      • nikey2k27 on 21/09/2014 - 20:49
        -1

        they sell tree of same size as one we hit man they not cheep.. you know used them in landscaping job.

  • bargin424 on 21/09/2014 - 13:22
    +4

    Out of curiosity, how did you manage to do this?

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