* EXPLETIVE EXPLETIVE EXPLETIVE * >:-(

[csquared]

Damage estimate at this point is $2,000 -- and that's just for what they can see.

Doesn't surprise me. I was going to guess 3-5K. If it is an older car, easily totaled.

[Kheldarson]

Good point.

Also... I'm kinda wondering WHY they're offering cash? Can they afford the repairs? Are they just hiding something from their insurance company? Do they even HAVE an insurance company?

You may be better off with a safe bet of talking to your insurance agent - and having the agent go after them for the funds - vs relying on their honesty.

I had similar happen once; only both of us were driving in a parking lot.

Guy didn't want to report simply because he was an insurance salesman, and that would mean his insurance (tied to his work!) would skyrocket with an accident, even as minor as ours.

It was barely a ding, so I've never worried about it.

[Pixilated]

Damage estimate at this point is $2,000 -- and that's just for what they can see.

[Pixilated]

Hi guys.

Thanks for the quick responses. Brother says the same thing: Go to insurance now -- it's not impossible that they might tell me sure, let them pay cash for the damage. But at least it's on record.

I think they are trying to avoid the insurance company route because it's extremely likely that, since she backed into me, she will be found to be at fault and her premiums will go up accordingly. (Yes, they do have an insurance company; I have the particulars.)

No police report. She was picking her kids up from school to go to lunch and was in a hurry. I was not overly concerned (I'm still not) because there were no personal injuries involved and the damage doesn't look serious. In any case, I could hardly restrain her if she was determined to leave.

Have not yet responded to the phone messages.

[PepperElf]

If you go the cash route, you could find yourself stuck with some or all of the repair bill. Depends on how honest they are.

Good point.

Also... I'm kinda wondering WHY they're offering cash? Can they afford the repairs? Are they just hiding something from their insurance company? Do they even HAVE an insurance company?

You may be better off with a safe bet of talking to your insurance agent - and having the agent go after them for the funds - vs relying on their honesty.

[csquared]

With the insurance company, once you get past "fault", you will probably have few problems collecting. This will also play into the repairs. If additional damage is found while doing the repairs, it will be easier to collect.

If you go the cash route, you could find yourself stuck with some or all of the repair bill. Depends on how honest they are.

The fact that they are trying to avoid the insurance company sends up red flags for me. Was there a police report? Was she ticketed?

[Crossbow]

Go to insurance. Always.

Unless you're a mechanic, you have no idea what kind of frame damage might be there. Don't take the chance. Get insurance involved, and get it looked at by a reputable shop.

[Pixilated]

For the record, I live in southern Ontario.

Had a woman driving a van back into my car this morning, leaving a nice dent in the driver's side. Driver's door no longer opens properly, nor does it close properly. She has left me a couple of phone messages since; 2nd one says her husband is asking me to get an estimate and they will pay cash (or, if it's too high, then we will go through insurance. I doubt it's going to be expensive, but ... I'm no autobody expert).

Opinions? Should I go tentatively agree to the proposed cash settlement or just go straight to insurance?