Insurance question....
 

...so while trying to help out an Lt1 owner, I got rear ended(more of a tap) on the way there. We pull over and exchange info...cops weren't called(may have ****ed myself over on this one). There really isn't damage to the bumper, but if I can get it repainted, why not? I have all of the guys info including insurance policy #. How do I go about this? Or am I outta luck since a police report wasn't made? I'm not even exactly sure what town I was in at the time. I took pics of the damage and took a picture of both cars in a parking lot after the fender bender....they help any?

I'm thinking without the police being involved you lost all leverage in the situation, unless the other person is a stand-up kinda citizen. Assuming there is actual damage to be fixed and you are not simply looking for a freebie repaint on the bumper cover, a bumper cover repaint done right is probably $800? (minimum) and that is probably right at the threshold of the other party's deductible. This means its probably in his/her best interest to pay it out of pocket. If he/she puts in a marginal claim and he has a lame ins. co. the rate hike would offset the cash out of pocket.

Bottom line, did you agree that there was damage? That you would have a pro look at it? Take it to a shop a get a real est. and go from there.

Good luck

Chris

I told him that it doesn't look that bad but I'd want it looked at since the bumper support/whatever it's called(the styrofoam ****) might have gotten cracked and once it's cracked it needs to be replaced. The guy said he had dosed off while braking:shock:. I was nice about it(possibly too nice), but wanted to get on my way. Isn't there some threshold of time that I have to report the accident or something along those lines? I'd just have to find out what town that is.

I think you have 24 hours, but you can call your insurance company and ask them how best to proceed.

You should always call the police however I don't think it'll matter much in this case...it sounds cut and dry. Call up his insurance company and start a claim. Can you post any pics of the damage??

...and yes you're right, once that absorber gets cracked technically it needs to be replaced.

I'd call as soon as you can man...there's no real point or benefit in waiting. Get that town name as soon as you can and get his insurance a call.

I didn't call the police when I was backed into a month or so ago. The lady actually called her insurance and put in the claim before I even called. They didn't even ASK me what happened, they just sent an estimator out, said I would receive an estimate, I received a check with the estimate for $1250 no questions asked.

now if you can only be as lucky vinnie :lol:
that would be sweet for you.

that would be sweet. new motor?:lol: Lol I'm not all that worried about it since I took a look at it and it's not even really noticeable-just more concerned about the absorber being cracked. The shop that does all the body work on my car is always very generous, but they do awesome work so you get what you pay for I guess. I'll call in the morning and make a claim number. I'm half a sleep writing this. Driving in the rain on big + littles for almost 300 miles takes it's toll on a kid.

btw, here's the photos I took:

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._7213953_n.jpg

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos...1_982001_n.jpg

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._2166033_n.jpg

30 days to file a report with the police dept

I wouldn't really be concerned with the absorber...however if you have a trusted shop in your area it wouldn't hurt for them to climb underneath and look at it.

yep, like i said...I'm not worried. It's not bad at all. Just I still don't get how you fall asleep while your slowing down and in decently heavy traffic...the guy could of easily gotten a ticket.

Maybe he was drugged up, lol.

idk, he was like I just dozed off. I was like maybe u should go inside walgreens and get a 5hr energy drink, he's like nah I'm only on my way to work:shock:

oh god... hopefully i am not a customer wherever he works!

What you can do is 1. either get an estimate from a body shop and call the guy up and give him the chance to pay for it out of pocket(If he's a friend) or call his insurance company and file a claim. They send an estimator out and you'll get a check.