Located in Alberta, Canada
My partner got into a parking lot accident driving my car. There is damage to my front bumper, no damage to other party’s vehicle since it made contact with their tire; it was a lifted truck. She said it was the other person’s fault. After looking at dash cam footage, I thought it so too or at least 50/50. Filed a claim under emotions of thinking likely to win. That brings us to today where I had a conversation with insurance where based on the footage alone, will likely be at 100% fault. Still not confirmed because they said they would interview the third party witness and, at best, may bring it to 50/50 fault. In hindsight, I wished I didn’t submit the claim but we are here now.
I have a $2000 deductible. The insurance recommended body shop quoted $2300 to fix. I personally think it’s too high for front bumper damage (they are opting to fix and buff, repaint, and reapply ppf, no other
frame or damage behind bumper; all cosmetic):
A few questions:
– Do I need to pay the $2000 deductible if I don’t want to get it fixed? It’s all cosmetic anyways. Are there any repercussions and if so, what are they?
– If I do need to get it fixed since I already have a claim, can I go to a different shop for a different quote?
– I am mechanically inclined and already do my own work on my cars. If I need to fix it to show proof to insurance, how would that work if I just buy a painted bumper and install myself?
Parking Lot Accident claim – Deductible almost same as repair cost. What should I do?
byu/JLRGuard inInsurance
Posted by JLRGuard
1 Comment
Before your questions, consider the tradeoff of filing a claim with a relatively small upside ($300 payable) compared to the effects of a claim on your record, including surcharges or non-renewal.
>- Do I need to pay the $2000 deductible if I don’t want to get it fixed? It’s all cosmetic anyways. Are there any repercussions and if so, what are they?
Not necessarily, but if the vehicle is collateral for a loan, the insurer might include the lender or your body shop on the payment to ensure that repairs are made if the check is cashed. If you cash the check for yourself, your insurer might ask you to prove the vehicle is repaired, and some might decrease your coverage or non-renew you if the vehicle isn’t repaired. Damaged vehicles might be at a higher risk of being in accidents to the extent they might create a hazard themselves.
>- If I do need to get it fixed since I already have a claim, can I go to a different shop for a different quote?
You can change shops. The estimate probably wont change if the new shop wants to charge more, unless there is a difference in the scope of necessary repairs.
>- I am mechanically inclined and already do my own work on my cars. If I need to fix it to show proof to insurance, how would that work if I just buy a painted bumper and install myself?
The carrier should walk you through what they would want. I imagine they could ask for photos and invoices/receipts for the parts.