mperucho

Hey everyone, I'm a long time lurker of this board, but just recently signed up as a member. I have a 2004 ES330, and today while driving down a residential street where the cars aren't parallel parked but parked with their bumpers sticking out someone backed into it. I had slowed down almost to a stop to decide which spot to park when a woman started backing up (she hadn't been backing up while I was driving) and hit the edge of my bumper.

We both came out to inspect the damage. I had a decent sized scratch and a bunch of little scratches and she had a single scratch about the size of a finger. I asked that we exchange insurance info. She asked me where my place of employment was, and I thought that was odd so I didn't tell her, because I didn't think it was necessary.

I called her insurance company and filed a claim and now i'm just waiting to hear back. Has this ever happened to any of you? whats next? I have no idea how the process goes because this is my first car (bought it a little over two months ago)

Also, any guesstimates on how much it may cost to fix the damage? Will the whole bumper need to be repainted?





Thanks so much!

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

Did you have a police report filed at the scene? That's the first thing you should have done. Calling her insurance company will only work if it's completely her fault...in writing.

mperucho

Damn, no I didn't I thought the police didn't need to be called if it looked like under $1000 in damages

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

If she denies the accident, there is nothing you can do without witnesses. The damage doesn't look too severe, so in the worst case scenario it will be a great life lesson.

mperucho

Does my friend who was in the car count as a witness?

Sh1nra

A witness is someone has no relation to you. So it has to be a random stranger that saw the accident.I don't think your friend will work. Your friend can still give a statement but I'm not sure if it'll help. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Too bad you didn't record the ladies statement on your phone, that probably could have helped.

From the looks of the damage, they might just end up repainting the entire bumper itself.

mperucho

Damn, well hopefully it all works out and she's cool about it. Since she didn't try to avoid exchanging info, hopefully its a smooth process.

msekanha

I Believe you have up to 20 days to file a police report, however, jurisdictions are different. Your local police station will know what to do.

mperucho

Good news!

She admitted it was her fault and I received a voicemail from the insurance people. Kudos to her for owning up to it

Do you think insurance will only pay to touch it up or do you think they will cover repainting the entire bumper to restore it to its original condition?

thanks!

PuReChaos

From dealing with multiple insurance companies (my first car was a target for bad drivers), they never want to go beyond what they have to pay so best case you can get the entire bumper painted. But to be honest, they'll most likely go the cheapest route being a touch up.

brucelee1

iTrader: (2)

You do have to stay on their butts, as normally they will try to keep the claim costs down, no matter what. Ignore the adverstising, you are NOT in good hands with any of them.

Buyer beware.

Natey2

Where I live (southern cal), the police will not come out unless someone is injured. My ES 300 was totaled (no injuries), and they didn't want to come out to take a report.

Chocolate

It might have been better to have her to pay you out of pocket, for that level of damage. If you go through the insurance your car will likely be listed as being in an accident on Carfax and Autocheck, which will greatly lower the value if you try to sell.

mitmaks

You have the right to get 2-3 different body shop estimates and have body shop of your choice do the work. It will have to be repainted (entire bumper cover)