Teen in minor accident - wwyd?

[Anonymous]

My teen was following a friend home the other day and rear ended her. Damage was minor but her car will still need fixing. No police report was filed...DH is awaiting an estimate to fix her car and doesn't want to involve insurance. Her parents seem to be okay with this. Is this a bad idea? What am I missing?

[Anonymous]

I was rear-ended by someone and they didn't want to involve insurance. Sent me a check for the cost and it was fine.

[Anonymous]

You're not missing anything. DH is right.

[Anonymous]

This is the right way to handle it. Even though it’s a friend, I’d get it in writing (even just via an email chat) so you have proof they agreed and can’t go after you later.

[Anonymous]

So long as you are all willing to pay for the full amount of the damages without inconveniencing the other family and also willing not to contest the costs, then it isn't a big deal. But two things. Are you going to pay for the towing if it is/was necessary. Also are you paying for their rental car or are they going to forego that? A repair might not be that inexpensive.

[Anonymous]

Your dh is doing it that way because if you go through insurance your rates will go up far more than what the repairs will cost.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your dh is doing it that way because if you go through insurance your rates will go up far more than what the repairs will cost.

True. My worry is future lawsuits.

[Anonymous]

The accident was your teen’s fault so it’s not up to you or your DH. It’s up to your teen’s friends parents. If they’re giving you the option of paying out of pocket, you should expect that they choose how and where the car gets repaired and if they want or need rental car it’s on you.

I will also add that car parts may be on shortage. Check with repair shop on availability of any parts you need. This will add to the hassle and any rental car.

The easiest thing to do is to go through insurance.

[Anonymous]

It’s fine but I would be not letting her drive until she pays for the repair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The accident was your teen’s fault so it’s not up to you or your DH. It’s up to your teen’s friends parents. If they’re giving you the option of paying out of pocket, you should expect that they choose how and where the car gets repaired and if they want or need rental car it’s on you.

I will also add that car parts may be on shortage. Check with repair shop on availability of any parts you need. This will add to the hassle and any rental car.

The easiest thing to do is to go through insurance.

PP is right about this. And, a lot of people won't accept junkyard parts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is the right way to handle it. Even though it’s a friend, I’d get it in writing (even just via an email chat) so you have proof they agreed and can’t go after you later.

+1

Also definately the best way to handle it. Let the other kid's parents select where to get their car fixed and you pay whatever it costs. (Even if it's the top body shop around---you'd want the same for your car if it was reversed). you pay because a teen with an accident will raise your rates a lot, and it sticks for 3-7 years (depending upon the accident and the state). If you file with insurance, the rates go up and it's one accident for your kid, so if they have another accident that must go thru insurance, it will be #2+ and you might find yourself dropped from insurance completely.

[Anonymous]

Just a warning that it will be way more expensive than you think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The accident was your teen’s fault so it’s not up to you or your DH. It’s up to your teen’s friends parents. If they’re giving you the option of paying out of pocket, you should expect that they choose how and where the car gets repaired and if they want or need rental car it’s on you.

I will also add that car parts may be on shortage. Check with repair shop on availability of any parts you need. This will add to the hassle and any rental car.

The easiest thing to do is to go through insurance.

PP is right about this. And, a lot of people won't accept junkyard parts.

Nor should the other driver's parents accept it. They are entitled to get the car repaired with dealer parts at the top body shop/repair shop in town. It will still cost you a lot less than if you file an insurance claim.

[Anonymous]

Your DH is right. Accidents happen. No one was hurt. Move along.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was rear-ended by someone and they didn't want to involve insurance. Sent me a check for the cost and it was fine.

Same happened to me. I chose the repair shop and got the quote.