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thoughts on damage estimates - at fault accident

deav

deav

New member
Joined
May 18, 2007
Location
here and now
Moto(s)
'72 cb450
i had a little get-off on the golden gate last week and hit a small lexus suv. my fender hit his rear right corner bumper and scraped the paint off without denting it.

he seemed cool about it at the time and said he might not even get it fixed because he pretty much had the same type of scrape on the other corner already, as well as scratches all along his bumper.

well, i got a call and two estimates in the mail from him yesterday. one is for $350 and requires me to pay cash, written on one of those generic bid estimate carbon papers, the other was for $750 and looked a lot more official with itemized amounts. he also said these two amounts are to repaint and refinish the entire bumper, not just the corner scratch that i caused.

what im wondering is, in a situation like this, do most shops typically repaint the entire bumper or can they do a good repair job on just the affected area? im definitely going to call him and qualify these estimates, but i want to know if its standard procedure to redo the entire bumper.

Also, the cash deal sounds a little shady. i mean, what kind of reputable shop only takes cash?

although i admit fault in the accident, i dont think i should have to pay to repaint his entire bumper, which was pretty messed up to begin with.

Any thoughts on this?
 
While they may repair the entire bumper you are not required to pay for what you didnt damage. He should get an estimate for what you did and the remainder he should pay for or he can open multiple claims at once for each ding. his insurance company will love him for that. :laughing
 
deav said:
i had a little get-off on the golden gate last week and hit a small lexus suv. my fender hit his rear right corner bumper and scraped the paint off without denting it.

he seemed cool about it at the time and said he might not even get it fixed because he pretty much had the same type of scrape on the other corner already, as well as scratches all along his bumper.

well, i got a call and two estimates in the mail from him yesterday. one is for $350 and requires me to pay cash, written on one of those generic bid estimate carbon papers, the other was for $750 and looked a lot more official with itemized amounts. he also said these two amounts are to repaint and refinish the entire bumper, not just the corner scratch that i caused.

what im wondering is, in a situation like this, do most shops typically repaint the entire bumper or can they do a good repair job on just the affected area? im definitely going to call him and qualify these estimates, but i want to know if its standard procedure to redo the entire bumper.

Also, the cash deal sounds a little shady. i mean, what kind of reputable shop only takes cash?

although i admit fault in the accident, i dont think i should have to pay to repaint his entire bumper, which was pretty messed up to begin with.

Any thoughts on this?
Click to expand...

When you hit other people's cars and don't go through the legally required channels (cops, insurance) you're not in a position to make demands.

Knock it up to your insurance, let them deal with it.
 
i would just pay the $350 even if the guy pockets it without repair. you were at fault and damage is present. if i were him, i'd put a claim against your insurance because likely he could get an estimate much more than $350 and still pocket the insurance money. at least this way, your insurance won't get involved and maybe raise your rates.
do get somekind of release from him when you pay up.
 
From my experience. ANY part of the bumper is damaged the insurance company will replace it for 'safety' reasons. for 350 its a deal but i'd be scared he would just call the insurance company and say yeah this guy hit me here is his info and keep the $. Contract maybe.

deav said:
Also, the cash deal sounds a little shady. i mean, what kind of reputable shop only takes cash?
Click to expand...
Ever have Asian food? :)
 
McBride61 said:
From my experience. ANY part of the bumper is damaged the insurance company will replace it for 'safety' reasons. for 350 its a deal but i'd be scared he would just call the insurance company and say yeah this guy hit me here is his info and keep the $. Contract maybe.

Ever have Asian food? :)
Click to expand...

Definately.

Add to the contract that this payment of $350 releases you from any future liability.
 
Last edited:
thanks for the input.

pretty much my thoughts as well. theoretically, i know i shouldn't have to pay to fix the entire bumper, but $350 is a relatively small amount to just be done with it. i think i know whats going on and i feel like hes saying, "give me some money and i'll go away or get your insurance involved. i don't care." its a win-win for him.

i think having something signed is a definite.

and i know a lot of places, including restaurants, take cash only. just seems strange for a body shop to take only cash, when the fees for service usually range in the hundreds of dollars.

thanks again.
 
deav said:
thanks for the input.

pretty much my thoughts as well. theoretically, i know i shouldn't have to pay to fix the entire bumper, but $350 is a relatively small amount to just be done with it. i think i know whats going on and i feel like hes saying, "give me some money and i'll go away or get your insurance involved. i don't care." its a win-win for him.

i think having something signed is a definite.

and i know a lot of places, including restaurants, take cash only. just seems strange for a body shop to take only cash, when the fees for service usually range in the hundreds of dollars.

thanks again.
Click to expand...

Chances are he has a friend at a body shop which is why he said cash only. Regardless, $350 is a bargain to get it over with.
 
Hi. I work in the insurance claims business.

I have a legal Property Damage Release CA insurance companies use. I can send you one with the amount of $350.00 already entered. You could fill out the rest.

I would suggest the following:

Check the title/pink slip of the Lexus to make sure you are paying the legal owner of the vehicle. Otherwise, you could end up paying twice with no recourse.
When filling out the Property Damage Release I would make sure to have it notarized with both of you present at the time of signatures.

You do not owe for the unrelated damages. Usually an estimate is written up for the related damages only and another one for the unrelated damages so that it can be deducted from the total to replace or repair the bumper.

Two things to keep in mind which are usual and customary in the claims industry:
1. Bumpers are safety items and if there is damage to the bars underneath then the entire bumper assembly is replaced. No one wants the liability.
If it is truly just a small scrape/gouge then there probably won't be any damage to the bar underneath.
2. Repainting the entire bumper is usually done because the law requires the part to be back to pre-accident condition and a spot paint job would not meet the requirement. Insurance companies are required to guarantee the workmanship when you choose one of their shops. So, rather than paying twice for chipping,etc later on they will cover to have it completely repainted and done correctly the first time. Also, shops like to guarantee their quality workmanship and it simply won't look very well with a spot job.

Lastly, he/she/Lexus owner does not have to repair it if they don't want to.
Just cover your butt to prove you came to an agreed settlement and they have no recourse after the Property Damage Release has been signed by the legal owner.

Pm me with your address or fax # and I can get the release to you!
Good luck and best wishes:twofinger
 
Psychochik said:
While they may repair the entire bumper you are not required to pay for what you didnt damage. He should get an estimate for what you did and the remainder he should pay for or he can open multiple claims at once for each ding. his insurance company will love him for that. :laughing
Click to expand...

If its metallic/3-stage paint, in many cases you need to not only repaint the entire part, but some of the mating body panels as well for the colors to blend perfectly
 
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