My son was driving his ’96 Toyota Camry when another driver ran a red light and hit him. Thankfully, it was only a fender bender — the car still runs and drives. Police came, ticketed the other driver, and both parties exchanged insurance information.
Now the other driver is offering us $1,500 if we agree not to go through insurance. We’re unsure what the smarter move is, since the car itself is probably worth about that much.
Do we take the cash and move on, or go through insurance and see what they’ll pay out? What would you recommend? We are in Florida which is a no fault state if that matters.
Posted by ChocolateContent8233
21 Comments
https://preview.redd.it/hikvtvnn6elf1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=47d9dbbcc374cf200b6dce3df0099c09c0ca7a6d
The damage
No fault means nothing here if you aren’t injured.
Its completely up to you, 96 Camrys probably aren’t worth much and the damage could total it. So do you want to pay for repairs above the $1500 or file through his insurance (if he has any) and risk getting that amount or less (or even more) and be potentially out of a car?
I’d take the money.
The smarter move is go through insurance.
Go thru insurance
1500 ain’t enough to repair the car or buy you a new one
If the other driver is at fault and gets the ticket, absolutely go through insurance.
They’re trying to play games and not let this go on their record, I call BS, they need to be held accountable! If you don’t involve insurance, it’s likely that down the line, they will again try this on someone else. I wouldn’t want that on my conscience.
I would go through the insurance. If they decide to total the car just buy it from them with the insurance settlement as long as the car still drives that is.
The simple question is can you replace your car for 1,500?
If not then use your insurance your not at fault so no excess applies. Your insurance will either repair the car or write it off and pay you out.
Its possible the payout may be more than what your being offered.
Go through insurance. Your son isn’t at fault.
I would probably take the money so I can keep my title clean. You would probably get about that if you handled through ins anyway and they would definitely total your car.
Get a quote for the damage from a shop and decide from there. You at least can ensure you will be able to get the damage paid out, and your insurance rates won’t go up and the title looks clean. Based on the picture, there is not enough damage to total the vehicle. If it costs more than what the driver is offering, then ask for more. If they say no, then file a claim.
The driver of the other car didn’t offer cash because he’s a nice guy, he doesn’t want his insurance company to hold him accountable. If he doesn’t double the offer, go through your insurance company.
I’d take $1,500 from the at fault driver outside of insurance and NOT fix the 96 Camry. If it runs and drives and is worth not much more than $1,500, your son basically now has a free car.
You are potentially owed a rental car through insurance – while the shop does the estimate /totals the car out etc. I’d go through his insurance. This seems like a run around and dude probably doesn’t want his insurance holding him accountable. First make sure his policy is active for any potential injuries that may pop up in the next couple days.
Even if they offer less – the rental and medical portion is worth it. 96 Camrys are between 700-4000k in value according to blue book. So it’s a similar value that would possibly be paid out
Check the prices for the same car and mileages. What does a “new” one cost.
Check if you can push the guy to a higher price, the first offer is never the best offer.
Then buy a new car, and see what you get for the totalled
Push them for $2,500….
This happened to my son with his 2000 Toyota. Rear ended at light. Other party at fault which is pretty standard when rearended. His car only had 45 k miles. Old lady special. The other company wanted to total his car. I didn’t want due to low miles and tbh just the trunk is not sealing right. That thing is built like a tank. I had to take the 1600 and run. I didn’t want a salvage title I couldn’t insure.
Remember: no fault means YOUR FAULT.
They will raise your rates if you go through insurance. If the car is worth about $1500, i would take the cash.
If you go through insurance, they could say the car is worth $1,000 and if you have a $1,000 deductible, they will raise your rates but pay you nothing for your wrecked car.
Take the money. You still have a car thats running.
If there are no injuries, take the $1500. If you can press them for an extra $500 don’t but that car will be totaled. The cost to replace the headlight without bodywork would probably do it. If insurance totals it you may be able to get $1500,possibly as much as $2000 but likely it will be closer to $1200. If you then wanted to keep the car and fix it on your own you would have to buy it from the insurance company. That isn’t a fixed cost but rather what the market predicts it will fetch at auction. Could be $100 could be $1000
Depends on how valuable the parts on the car are.
If it’s a simple cash exchange without anything written up, you still have the possibility to go after him (his insurance) of there are any injuries. It’s dicey ground but can be done.