Person Rear Ended Me Lightly and Chipped Paint off My Plastic Bumper, Should I Contact My Insurance ?

yaozy on 01/12/2019 - 11:51

Hi guys, was driving and stopped in traffic , P plater behind me was reaching for something and took his foot off the brake and lightly hit my car from behind and chipped some paint of my rear plastic bumper, about the size of a chewing gum.

My car is a 2016 GTI and I don't want to find out a month later it costs a lot to fix that, is it worth calling my insurance and letting them know what happened? I don't wanna pay any excess or have any time of no claim bonus removed from my NRMA insurance

The other driver already admitted what he did and I have his number plate and driver's license

Automotive

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 01/12/2019 - 12:07
    +2

    Yes. Costs you nothing. Get it fixed.

  • Godric on 01/12/2019 - 12:09

    I don't wanna pay any excess or have any time of no claim bonus removed from my NRMA insurance
    The other driver already admitted what he did and I have his number plate and driver's license

    Why even bother making this post

    • yaozy on 01/12/2019 - 12:25

      Sorry, just not very experienced in things like this

  • Mikinoz on 01/12/2019 - 12:11
    -5

    So your thought process is to ask this on a bargain forum?

    • yaozy on 01/12/2019 - 12:25
      +9

      Feel free not to reply if you think it's out of place

  • jackinyourbox on 01/12/2019 - 12:14
    +1

    Hi, it depends how much you value your car being in pristine appearance.
    Personally I’d negotiate a win-win with the other party being paid a monetary value and without insurance involved or say 200 maccas hamburgers will do

    • yaozy on 01/12/2019 - 12:26

      Ok good idea actually , so better I negotiate with him then NRMA, I just don't want it to flake or get bigger in months

      • jackinyourbox on 01/12/2019 - 12:39

        It’s one or/then the other. You should not do both at the same time.

        • Hoobz on 02/12/2019 - 09:54

          Op maybe meant 'than' not 'then'?

  • thatonethere on 01/12/2019 - 12:22

    Just get a quote sounds like a cheap touch up. And then hopefully get the guy to pay

  • [Deactivated] on 01/12/2019 - 12:28

    Labour costs more much than parts. Get a quote and maybe they will offer cash for a discount.

  • kerfuffle on 01/12/2019 - 12:31

    This is why I have comprehensive insurance. Just get it fixed.

    Source: Been rear ended three times on my current vehicle; on bumper number five at the moment

  • Euphemistic on 01/12/2019 - 12:44
    +2
    1. Get a couple of prices to fix it.
    2. Get the money from the at fault driver. You may negotiate with the driver on the cost.
    3. Choose wether to pocket the cash or fix it.

    If step 2 doesn’t work within a couple of weeks, make a claim on your insurance.

  • DisasterArea on 01/12/2019 - 13:33
    +2

    Firstly if it's his fault he pays all costs, or his insurance does, you will not be out of pocket for excess -

    secondly, some people find out much later that a small bump messed up parking sensors or radar etc and ends up costing thousands to remove and repaint and refit all the sensors.

    Generally speaking it's worth putting it through the insurer and moving on. It's a new enough car that you want it properly checked.

    • yaozy on 01/12/2019 - 13:46

      Thanks for this, gonna call NRMA now

    • Euphemistic on 01/12/2019 - 14:25

      There is something to be said from avoiding making claims through insurance though. The job can get done cheaper, there is no risk of increasing your premium etc.

      • [Deactivated] on 01/12/2019 - 14:36

        Has he made a claim through his insurance 1st, before you contact yours? Might save your premium going up plus give you the option of paying cash if your in the wrong.

      • Diji1 on 01/12/2019 - 14:50

        What is the point of losing money by paying for insurance if you are simply going to lose more money instead of using it when an unexpected event occurs?

        • [Deactivated] on 01/12/2019 - 15:26

          Still need the other party to claim 1st,gives you more options later.

        • Euphemistic on 01/12/2019 - 15:37

          Not claiming on insurance does not mean losing money. If the claim is of low value, can be easily fixed and the other party causes no problems paying then you have lost nothing by not claiming. Insurance will still cover you for a big incident in the future. The premiums will not be as high if small claims are settled outside the insurance system.

          I take your point that there may be damage that is not apparent to the untrained eye which is why you need to get an estimate for the repair costs. If it is just a paint chip it could cost as little as a few hundred which is hardly worth troubling the insurance system for. If there is more serious damage when the estimate comes in, then go straight to a claim.

  • [Deactivated] on 01/12/2019 - 17:00

    If it someone I am cordial with that chipped my paint, I'd get it fixed at my cost. It's not worth souring any relationship over a few bucks.

    If it is someone random, I'd make them pay.

    You're entitled to get someone to pay for damages they've caused. It's not always worth it to exercise your entitlement.

  • AbsX on 01/12/2019 - 22:16
    +1

    Yep

    Make sure you have at faults drivers details, so you don't pay excess

  • Cheapskate Paul on 01/12/2019 - 23:43

    You should claim from the at fault driver's insurance.

  • HeWhoKnows on 02/12/2019 - 07:47
    -1

    Get it looked at first. A bit of paint might do the trick

  • ol mate on 02/12/2019 - 08:48

    Just claim it.

    If there is paint missing, there is a good chance of unseen damage. Plastic bumpers flex back into their usual position so it isn't always obvious.

  • OzHunterNSW on 02/12/2019 - 10:06
    +1

    These sort of "blemishes" are exaggerated by repairers (believe me).
    Don't go through insurer - you will pay more in excess than the damage it self.
    Get three quotes… which will be $250 $500.
    Send off to other driver with the words that you will accept the less amount within 21 days, or matter will go to insurer where you will be required to pay more in excess etc.

    At the end of the day —- you keep the money… and simply do a rough can spray job.

    • yaozy on 02/12/2019 - 10:59
      +1

      Hey mate thanks for the advice, already had contacted NRMA last night and they waived excess and have said they will provide me a rental car for free as my car is repaired. I think it's because I have the drivers details and gave it all to them and it's a rear ending that I won't be paying a cent. They also said it will not be affecting my claim bonus either

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