I was driving down the highway at a blistering 5mph when some guy attempts to drive throught my 2 week old Screw he going about 10mph. Instead he goes into a first name bases with my hitch and brand new shiny bumper. The guy was driving some converitible Benz and tore up his front grill, lights and crumpled his hood. As far as my ride there was small dent on my bumper. The guy wanted to settle this without any insurance involved so I sad OK. I got two estimates one for $760 (New Chrome Bumper, Left and Right Mount Brackets) at some collision shop the second for $410 (New Chrome Bumper) at a local dealer shop. I then spoke with the guy and he was rambling on how expensive it was and that he thought it was just gonna be only 50 or 100 bucks. So I agreed to give by the end of the week to find a cheaper price. The question I have is should I replace or fix my bumper and how long should I give this guy before I give a call to my friendly insurance agent.

 

If I were you I would have called the cops immediately after the accident for an accident report. The other guy could try to screw you if you're not careful. In your situation, I wouldn't give him much time at all, to the end of the week at most. Maybe even call him yourself mid-week for an update.

As far as the repair goes, you had a NEW truck before he hit you. He owes you a NEW bumper.

Good Luck!

 

This is what I'd do...to hell with the guy--it's your truck and he hit you. He's worried about $760 and driving a convertible Benz?

Let your insurance company know about the situation...give them all of the other guys' pertinate information. Then, go to a reputable body shop and have it fixed RIGHT!! I'd make sure you have them check out the frame alignment etc. You'd be surprised what can happen in a tiny fender bender...it might "look" fine when in fact something could be tweaked. This could create drivability problems, increased tire wear etc. in the future. Let your insurance co. squeeze the money out of him--it's what you pay them for.

The other guy is probably scared to death because he's definately at fault as he rear ended you.

Like I said, this is just my opinion...

 

Probably a deadbeat, scumbag, slimeball with NO insurance!

...and YOU'RE running around to get LOWER estimates for this dude?

Geez, who gives a crap about him; file a claim and let the chips fall where they may.

 

Acutally the guy has insurance and he is the one find a "cheaper" price and the Benz is old.

 

All you need to do now that you have made the decision not to involve your insurance company is to give him 2 quotes, and then he should pay in cash or a casheiers check (no personal checks) for one of the quotes in full. Then it's all over.

At this point you really can't go to your insurance company as it is too late.

If he is still an *** about it threaten to go to your insurance company (if you have his info) and do everything you can to get the money.

Get it done right have the bumper replaced, it will never be the same just to get it fixed.

 

Really a shame with a new truck. Sorry to hear it.

One thing, about accidents, always get a police report, that doesn't mean the insurance company has to handle it, it only protects you in the event the other guy decides he wasn't there and refuses to cover cost of repairs. The report officially places both of you at the scene.

LOL

 

In San Diego unless someones hurt or there is property damage, the police will NOT come out! I know this first hand as it happened to me (old truck) where a guy hit me and I called the police and basically they asked if anyone was hurt or anyone elses property damaged, otherwise sorry...

 

a gallon of muratic acid placed at the highest point of the car,a small nail hole pierced in the bottom of the bottle and the top removed and the plastic seal removed....only time will tell

 

dcovell, all the more reason to move here to the "right" coast. Just kidding, didn't realize injury had to be involved out there.

I guess if he doesn't pay you fall back to TexfordD's suggestion.

Just seems like if he was interested in paying, he would have already done it after getting the two estimates.

 

When my 87 F150 was a new shiny truck I went up to the local hospital to visit a friend. Sunday morning and I parked way out in the lot 20 spaces away from any other car. Went up to the 7th floor and looked out the window (to admire the truck from an aerial view of course) and saw an old boat of a Buick parked right next to it. Freaked out and with a sick feeling went right out to look. Bright red paint on the Buicks door edge all curled up, scratch down to bare metal on my bright red truck. But, being an adult, rather than tap dance on the Buicks hood with a ballpeen hammer, I went into the hospital and reported to the front desk that there was a grey Buick with such and such plate numbers in the lot with it's light on. Went out in the lot to wait and sure enough, out comes Granny Moses to turn off her lights. Turns out her 69 yr old hubby had a stroke and she'd come back to the hospital, all distraught, to bring his jammies, false teeth etc....got into the back of the Buick to claim all his stuff and rode that 400lb 5ft wide door up and down against the truck and never even knew she did it. I believed her mostly because she was a nice ol gal having problems and because she gave me her vital info etc. admitting the whole thing. Waited to hear from her insurance company and by the next midweek called them. The SOB agent told me that if I didn't have a police report then it was her word against mine and that he was going to go to court with me rather than pay any claim. I keep my ballpeen tap dancin shoes in the truck now a days and may just use em next time. True story.

 

Never, ever, trust someone who has just hit you!! A buddy of mine got burned in a similar situation. Got hit in the door at a softball game. Without a police report, without reporting to the insurance company, and the guy kept stalling about coughing up the money, my buddy ended up getting screwed. A lot of people want to be the nice guy in these situations but end up hurting themselves.
BD

 

Yup, although I would like to think otherwise, it seems no good deed goes unpunished. Too many dirtbags in the world and too many hard lessons learned.

The guy obviously has reason to want to avoid both the police AND the insurance company. That should have been your first clue. The whole situation smells bad to me.

 

I went ahead and gave the perp a call. Asked him how it was going trying to find a cheaper repair bill. The guy told me that he was booked solid and couldn't get to it till maybe Thursday. I told him that I spent my Monday morning running around town getting estimates. He stated that the damage was too insignificant to warrant such quick action. Well I totally disagreed and decided to call my insurance and report the incident before I end up getting SCrewed by this guy. My insurance took down all the info and I am awaiting a call from an adjuster in the following days. Turns out the perp has the same insurance company as I do; see how that plays out. Thanks for all the comments.