Car Accident & Body Work?

[sczos911]

I was involved in a minor car accident this weekend - my fault, but it was nonreportable due to the minimal damage to her car. I need to call the other person tonight about this - she needs to get an estimate done on her car to see how much it is going to cost me. The thing is - Andy is of NO HELP at all. :thumbdown: And I have never done this before. So I am confused.

So is it reasonable to ask this woman to get 2 estimates - 1. where she wants and one where I want? 2. Am I doing this right?!?!? 3. What else am I overlooking?!?!?

I'm so confused. I hate being an adult. :thumbdown:

 

[jessica31876]

My husband said two estimates is what is usually done but that she will most likely take it to the shop of her choice and while you can ask her to take it to a shop of your choice she does not have to. He worked in a body shop for the last 14 years (up until last year). If the damage is minimal and you can afford it it might be better to pay out of pocket so that it does not go on your insurance because it will be there for several years and will effect insurance rates. Im not sure on the insurance end what you should be doing though. Hope everyone is ok...accidents really suck and unfortunately unless you know a body tech who can do the work even with minimal damage it can still cost alot at a body shop

 

[xboxmom]

All's I know is that my Babysitter backed into my car last year and as it didn't look like a lot of damage and I did take it to 3 places for estimates cuz I was trying to be really nice to the sitter since she was only 16. It still eneded up costing about $1500!!!

Apparently the clip that holds the headlight in was damaged and ended up being a good portion of the repair. Even though you couldn't see from the outside that a clip was broken just little things like that will bump up a repair bill.

 

[kscwgirl]

You can ask her for 2 estimates, but she may not take it to a place of your choosing, and you can't make her, unless you choose to go the insurance route. Being in the business, I don't recommend that you file for minor claims. You'll lose discounts and end up paying more in increased insurance costs over the 3 years it will stay on your record than you will just to pay for her repairs out of pocket.

 

[sczos911]

i know she can take it to whomever she wants, but i want to make sure that we are not being over charged. thus, why i was thinking 2 estimates.

we'll not go through insurance just to keep it off of our records.

basically, i know the bumper will need to be replace and her front panel has damage. Right by the light. i'm guessing over $1500.

 

[jessica31876]

is it just three years it stays? We were with Geico and they went back five on us. We recently switched to State Farm and got incredible rates with them. We actually added about four times the coverage we had with Geico for the same amount of money

You can ask her for 2 estimates, but she may not take it to a place of your choosing, and you can't make her, unless you choose to go the insurance route. Being in the business, I don't recommend that you file for minor claims. You'll lose discounts and end up paying more in increased insurance costs over the 3 years it will stay on your record than you will just to pay for her repairs out of pocket.

 

[kscwgirl]

is it just three years it stays? We were with Geico and they went back five on us. We recently switched to State Farm and got incredible rates with them. We actually added about four times the coverage we had with Geico for the same amount of money

It's supposed to be 3, yes. Home claims are 5 years.

 

[Sarah8914]

Hmm, no idea, but good luck. I was rear-ended a few months ago and they replaced the bumper and I think it cost about 750-900 (can't remember which). But of course, the other person's insurance paid for it, so it was fine for us!