Am I Able to Insist to Pay Car Repair without Going through Insurance?

wildstone on 21/09/2015 - 12:25
Last edited 21/09/2015 - 12:27

Hey guys, on the weekend I accidentally hit a car from behind without causing much damage, literally a scratch (no dent or anything) on the other car's bumper as it was hit in slow speed from a stopping position. My car didn't have any damage except the number plate, i.e the number plate of my car 'touch' the other's car.

Both of us came out and checked the damage, we noted that it was 'nothing', but we exchanged details just in case.

Few hours after the accident, I got a call from her asking me which insurance company I am with, as she said the car is her mother's and her mother wants to go through insurance to access the damage. I told her that I would rather not go through insurance and pay the damage myself, as the damage wouldn't be too much and would be easily fix by those mobile touch-up repair guys for less than a $100, as I said it was literally just a tiny scratch from my car's number plate (I took a photo at the time of accident so may be can show to insurance?)

Anyway, my question is, if the other party wants to go through insurance to repair the damages, do I get to say that I would rather not and select my own repairer to get the car fixed? As I said a mobile repairer could get it easily done in no time but if she goes through insurance it would cost much more, the excess charges alone would be more than the damage I would imagine.

Automotive

Comments

  • pyramid on 21/09/2015 - 12:32
    +1

    They can go ahead with their insurance company and in turn that insurance company will call you to settle. So its not necessary for you to go via your insurer. Similar thing happened to me in the past and other party's insurer called me and I paid them straight $300.

    Give other party your name and number and it should suffice.

    • wildstone on 21/09/2015 - 12:34

      Yes, but still insurance company uses expensive panel repairers. I can see their panel repairer will be charging hundreds to fix a scratch as they may involve work of removing and respraying the whole bumper.

      So if that's what they want there's nothing I could do?

      • pyramid on 21/09/2015 - 12:35

        In my case, my access was $600 so i just paid other insurer $300 which was cheaper.

      • Randxyz123 on 21/09/2015 - 12:44
        +3

        So if that's what they want there's nothing I could do?

        Correct you were at fault therefore you do NOT get a choice in the matter.

        Out of interest what make and model of car was it and how old?

        • Randxyz123 on 21/09/2015 - 13:59

          Not sure why I was negged. I'm assuming it was a new ish car otherwise from what you were describing the damage wouldn't be worth repairing.

        • [Deactivated] on 03/08/2017 - 19:42

          Be prepared to reject an outrageous quote.

          Dodgy panel beaters salivate at the thought of charging for a full panel respray when all they are going to do is use a touch up pen and buff it down.

          You are not pants down in these situations. You can contest the quotes. Some people will take the repair job to their mates or will tell the panel shops that they will split the profit. I've dealt with that lot (and lost because I caved and just got my insurance involved.)

      • BigTed on 21/09/2015 - 14:52

        You cannot make them use your choice of repairer, however, they are not entitled to get more than the reasonable cost of repair of the actual damage you have caused.

        • wildstone on 21/09/2015 - 14:55

          however, they are not entitled to get more than the reasonable cost of repair of the actual damage you have caused.

          Thanks, but how do we make sure of that?

  • Randxyz123 on 21/09/2015 - 12:36
    +4

    You do not get a say.

    You can request they don't go through their insurance but the fact is you hit the other car you are at fault. If the owner of the car you hit wants to go through their insurance then they have every right to.

    Personally if someone asked me not to use my insurance I'd say "No" as well.

    You however don't have to use YOUR insurance however you might need to declare the accident to them.

  • Austin 316 on 21/09/2015 - 12:36
    +1

    You can insist but you cannot force them to deal in cash. It's entirely up-to her to decide how she wants her car fixed. I have had a very similar incident recently and I can tell you that trying to help someone out can sometimes come back and hit you hard, so I wouldn't blame her if she chooses to go through insurance.

  • wildstone on 21/09/2015 - 12:43
    +1

    Thanks for the replies.

    I guess that's the way it is then. I will try to talk to her and see if it is possible to just have this fixed privately, cheers.

  • kronicmacstigator on 21/09/2015 - 12:46

    Just contact her insurance company and tell them that you want them to send you the quote before proceeding. If it's a low amount just get back to them and say you'll pay it in cash. I'd NEVER accept cash for a car repair. Had some moron do a number on a rear quarter panel once. Idiot offered me $150 to not go to my insurance company (on the spot). I refused, $1000 damage… I just took the cash ($1000 from my insurance) and never got it repaired, I couldn't find a repairer I trusted.

    • wildstone on 21/09/2015 - 12:50

      No I wasn't planing on offering her cash, I wanted to organize the repairer to come to her and get her car repaired then I pay for all the cost. That way there is no money involved on her end and the car repaired just as good as pre-accident.

      This is a rather awkward situation because really it is something that can be done and over with for less than $100…

      • Randxyz123 on 21/09/2015 - 13:55

        I don't understand how you can tell it is $100 worth of damage.

        • wildstone on 21/09/2015 - 14:39

          I don't… I was just basing on this site I found showing $90:
          http://www.schmickclub.com/pricing

          And the scratch/damage shown on that picture is longer and much more obvious than the scratch on the vehicle I barely hit on.

          Anyways… Probably wrong on my part to say it is $100, what I meant was that it would definitely be much cheaper to repair it privately.

          Cheers guys.

        • Ughhh on 22/09/2015 - 08:36

          @wildstone:

          Some damages are hard to see from a non-expert. The small dent or scratch may look like nothing, but the bump could've affected the internals.

          If I was that person, I would rather go through my insurance too. Why wouldn't I when the work quality is guaranteed for life and the repair shop is reputable.

  • jaybmate on 21/09/2015 - 12:57

    Dont people only use their insurance when they themselves are at fault?

  • pointless martyr on 21/09/2015 - 13:10
    +3

    Prepare yourself for a ridculous quote, and start saving for the amount of excess on your policy.

    • Vampyr on 22/09/2015 - 06:54
      +1

      Exactly this.

  • Blugok on 21/09/2015 - 14:02
    +3

    Similar scenario happened to me last year. I was the one who got rear ended with a tiny scratch (looked like a half circle of a 5 cent coin) on the bumper.

    We exchanged contact details (driver licence and phone)
    I asked the guy for their insurance policy, he said he doesn't want to go thru his car insurance and would like to settle it himself as he estimated the scratch to be under $300.
    Obviously, I know nothing about the damage or the guy, so I called my insurance to deal with the process when I got home.
    That's why we pay comprehensive insurance, I supposed.

    Few weeks later, the car repairer advised there was some internal damage (surprised - I dunno whether it's their game or what). Not sure how much money the insurance company charged the guy.

    IMO, if the guy had initiated to pay me cash for $300, then signed some agreement, I would let go the tiny scratch on the bumper.

    So yeah, be prepared to be charged more than you expected.

  • Scorpiogirl on 22/09/2015 - 07:25
    +1

    Be aware. In 'accidents' like this, the other party may all of a sudden find you caused internal damage, not just what you see on the outside. Some will try, don't doubt that. What is obvious to you, may be an 'opportunity' to them. What you thought would be a quick process may get dragged out. I, like you may, give people the benefit of the doubt and hope they will use common sense. You may be let down. #Just saying.

  • ltjet on 22/09/2015 - 07:40

    It's not what you can see that is the problem. I don't know how hard you hit the car, but for example, my car was rear ended a week or so ago and it looked like little damage however under the car there was extensive panel damage. A scratch on my rear bumper is worth $3k in panel repairs.

    Did you inspect under the car? If not then its probably more than just the scratch.

    It will be cheaper through insurance as done properly it will cost you about $1k if not more for that scratch to be prepped and painted unfortunately.

  • theo96 on 22/09/2015 - 11:19
    +1

    Morale of the story is if you rear end someone be prepared to pay, no matter how minor the damage seemed to be.

  • kima on 22/09/2015 - 11:56

    whether they go through their insurer or not is not up to you and doesn't make much difference. they just need to give you the quote for repair. you can ask them if they will take it to a mechanic and get you a quote. once you have your quote then decide if you want to do cash or insurance.

  • SlickMick on 22/09/2015 - 12:47

    Just confirming what I think mostly everyone else is saying - you are free to pay with cash, but you won't have much say regarding how much it will cost. If you reckon it's excessive you could look into your legal options, but I can't imagine it would come to that.

  • truesouth on 03/08/2017 - 16:03

    What was the outcome?
    I have very similar situation now (Aug 2017).
    -Backed into another car.
    - Quote for $605 from a bricks and mortar panel beater.
    - $245 quote from a mobile touchup service who will send back, spray, and give five year warranty. Plus will use any excess paint to touch up any stone chips etc.

    • Randxyz123 on 03/08/2017 - 18:46

      As per above. If you backed into a car (therefore your fault) you cannot force someone to use a mobile touch up service.

      If they want to make a not at fault claim then you can't stop them.

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