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Old 18 January 2018, 04:18 AM   #1
Tri-Tip
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Minor Accident, Car Insurance Question

Had a minor fender bender this morning, other party admitted guilt. Looks like just the bumper cover scraped up on my Lexus GS350, but would probably need to be replaced...I'm guessing $2,000.

Other party wants to pay out of pocket (pending estimate) rather than going through insurance.

If I don't report immediately to my insurance, do I waive my right to file a claim later if other party flakes out on me a week or two down the line?

This is in California.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
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Old 18 January 2018, 04:20 AM   #2
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Minor Accident, Car Insurance Question

I would report it to your insurance company to document it and make a record of the accident. Inform your insurance that the other driver is taking liability and he intends to pay out of pocket. I’d still absolutely make sure he provides you with his insurance information regardless of whether he intends on using it. Your insurance company may want to get that documented. In the event he doesn’t come through m you can then have your insurance company go after his insurance for payment. If he admits liability his insurance should have no issue covering.


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Old 18 January 2018, 04:30 AM   #3
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I would report it to your insurance company to document it and make a record of the accident. Inform your insurance that the other driver is taking liability and he intends to pay out of pocket. I’d still absolutely make sure he provides you with his insurance information regardless of whether he intends on using it. Your insurance company may want to get that documented. In the event he doesn’t come through m you can then have your insurance company go after his insurance for payment. If he admits liability his insurance should have no issue covering.


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Ditto. CYA while you can.
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Old 18 January 2018, 04:34 AM   #4
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Absolutely I’d report it, immediately.
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Old 18 January 2018, 04:39 AM   #5
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Absolutely I’d report it, immediately.
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Old 18 January 2018, 04:39 AM   #6
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Back in 2012, the valance on my 2000 Acura TL got smacked by a smack. I *think* it was quoted as a $650 job for the valance, painting the valance, new clips to install it, and labor. I took $200 from the guy and called it even, as all it needed was a good shove to pop it back into place, and it was already pretty scuffed up.

FYI: The $1,000 job quoted to a walk-in is performed at a discounted rate by the shop, like $600 or so. Whenever someone wants to pay I get leery (experience on this one).

A separate incident: In a California parking lot a driver backed into me as I was backing up. We agreed to settle our issues personally and separately. I do not recall giving her my insurance information but maybe I did. Months later I find out she claimed I was responsible, went after my insurance company, and my rate went up.
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Old 18 January 2018, 04:45 AM   #7
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Were the police called to the scene???? I hope they made a report. If not, the other person's story may change. Even minor accidents should have a police report made on scene. I've gone to minor accidents where the people want to handle it themselves ( not investigated by police). I have the people fill out a form that describes by each party what happened, it protects everybody involved. People are less likely to develop amnesia if the police were called to the scene. Reporting something late may or may not help depending upon the people's recollections. Once cars are moved, and witnesses disappear, the ending may not be a happy one for the victim.

Last edited by Widows Son; 18 January 2018 at 04:46 AM.. Reason: spelling
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Old 18 January 2018, 05:07 AM   #8
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I would report it to your insurance company to document it and make a record of the accident. Inform your insurance that the other driver is taking liability and he intends to pay out of pocket. I’d still absolutely make sure he provides you with his insurance information regardless of whether he intends on using it. Your insurance company may want to get that documented. In the event he doesn’t come through m you can then have your insurance company go after his insurance for payment. If he admits liability his insurance should have no issue covering.


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Good advice, probably what I will need to do. I called my insurance company anonymously and they said I didn't have to report it, could report it later, but if I do report, it could affect my "good driving record" even if I'm not at fault.

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Were the police called to the scene???? I hope they made a report. If not, the other person's story may change. Even minor accidents should have a police report made on scene. I've gone to minor accidents where the people want to handle it themselves ( not investigated by police). I have the people fill out a form that describes by each party what happened, it protects everybody involved. People are less likely to develop amnesia if the police were called to the scene. Reporting something late may or may not help depending upon the people's recollections. Once cars are moved, and witnesses disappear, the ending may not be a happy one for the victim.
In Los Angeles, police won't come out unless there are injuries. They probably would if there was a city vehicle, bus, etc. involved, but not for a minor fender bender.

The other party texted me that they wanted to settle it personally and I replied confirming that they were at fault, and they acknowledged this. Sounds to me like she has a record of quite a few fender-benders as on the scene she said she had to take her car to the body shop "anyway".
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Old 18 January 2018, 05:08 AM   #9
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Did he/she even have insurance?
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Old 18 January 2018, 05:15 AM   #10
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Old 18 January 2018, 05:21 AM   #11
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Good advice, probably what I will need to do. I called my insurance company anonymously and they said I didn't have to report it, could report it later, but if I do report, it could affect my "good driving record" even if I'm not at fault.


I’m not an auto insurance expert but I believe what your insurance company was implying was that if you file a claim on your insurance and they pay it out your rate can be affected. Even if you’re not at fault.

If however your insurance company doesn’t pay the claim just reporting it to them should have no impact on your rate because they essentially aren’t doing anything but documenting it.

Again, I don’t know CA laws. But I assume you have the right to have your insurance company pay the claim regardless of fault. That would indeed impact your rate. Hopefully that’s not the cause because if the guy who hits you pays you’re good.

Regardless, get his insurance information. He’s required to have it and if he doesn’t end up paying you will have more recourse. However in that situation he will have to admit fault to his insurance company. If he’s an honest person it’s nothing to worry about. Otherwise it will become an investigation and hopefully there’s enough evidence in your favor for his insurance to take the liability.


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Old 18 January 2018, 05:32 AM   #12
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If it is reported, 2 things happen.

1. It goes on your insurance permanent record as an accident, regardless of fault.

2. It goes into that "cloud" we all see advertised and marks your car as having "collision damage" for the next owner or Dealer to see, that you want to sell your car to in the future.

To me though, the bigger issue is getting the other party to actually pay. We had a rear valence bump and after evaluation by a proper repair agent, the support flanges, braces, and collapsible shocks were all damaged and that $2,000.00 valence repair becomes closer to $5,000.00 for a proper repair.

Is she really prepared for this, and what do you have to ensure reimbursement?
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Old 18 January 2018, 06:46 AM   #13
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I would got get a repair quote ASAP. (today) Forward it to them and give them one day to give you the money. Otherwise you need to report it. I had someone change their mind and I got screwed.
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Old 18 January 2018, 07:39 AM   #14
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Play it safe, report it. Once the other party sees the estimate, they may change their minds.

If your insurance company doesn't have to pay out, it should have no bearing on your rates.
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Old 18 January 2018, 09:42 AM   #15
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It's really easy if you both have the same insurance company!!!
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Old 18 January 2018, 09:44 AM   #16
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She does have insurance, and I got the impression that she has used it many times, and so wanted to keep this off her record.

Going for an estimate this afternoon and I expect when she sees the cost that she will want to let insurance pay. If I don't receive a quick and favorable response from her on paying I will report it no later than Friday.
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Old 18 January 2018, 09:48 AM   #17
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Play it safe, report it. Once the other party sees the estimate, they may change their minds.

If your insurance company doesn't have to pay out, it should have no bearing on your rates.
Hmmmm... sorta maybe. It still shows up on your driving record as an accident and may come into play if you switch carriers.

We have alot of car vs deer accidents. I will usually encourage the driver to use a separate form for these. Afterall, are they going to try to sue the deer??? I've never had an insurance company refuse a claim using these forms. Then in the future if they want to switch companies, the animal crash won't show up on their record.
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Old 18 January 2018, 09:55 AM   #18
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As a former Angeleno...

Go get a repair quote today and give her the dollar amount tonight. If you don't have a check in your hand by Saturday. Just call your insurance company on Monday.

Should not be a problem to report a fender bender within a week. That is what I have done in the past and it worked out fine for me.

Best of luck.
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Old 18 January 2018, 11:26 AM   #19
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She does have insurance, and I got the impression that she has used it many times, and so wanted to keep this off her record.

Going for an estimate this afternoon and I expect when she sees the cost that she will want to let insurance pay. If I don't receive a quick and favorable response from her on paying I will report it no later than Friday.
Give her a deadline and make it clear. Estimate from my company at this time. If no payment by this time, claim reported. Get her insurance.

If you make claim,carfax will reduce the value of your car big. Not a big deal if you keep 100k miles. But if newer, big hit.
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Old 18 January 2018, 11:27 AM   #20
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Brian, you have 10 days in Ca. https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/forms/sr/sr1
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Old 18 January 2018, 11:31 AM   #21
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Be wary... only take your car to fixer of your choosing.

DO NOT be talked into by the payer to take it to his shop for repairs he's paying for.

We've had scams lately where your car is either never seen again or big blackmail extortion trying to get it back from dodgy repairer.
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Old 18 January 2018, 01:55 PM   #22
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If insurance pays a claim on it the car is going to have Carfax and Autocheck report notations indicating an accident. If the car is a daily beater that you plan on running into high mileage that's not a big deal, but if you trade cars often and it's fairly new with low miles you're going to take a 10-20% hit on value when you go to trade or sell it. Most Lexus dealers won't resell a car with a bad Carfax, so it's going to a bottom-feeder wholesaler or to an auction. I'd get an estimate from the Lexus dealer and an independent bodyshop that's reputable. Average them and give the other party a couple of days to pay you with either cash or a cashier's check. Even if the other party disappears on you, I'd personally keep my own insurance out of it and just fix the car. I carry the highest deductibles I can and I don't make claims for anything under $5k. Insurance should be for catastrophic loss in my opinion, but I have 7-8 vehicles at any given time and look to save as much as I can with high deductibles and no claims.
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Old 18 January 2018, 02:06 PM   #23
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Same here, would report it to my insurer right away.
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Old 18 January 2018, 02:41 PM   #24
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Got a quote from the bodyshop associated with the Lexus dealer where I purchased. Based on what they see, they can remove the bumper cover, strip the paint, repaint and reinstall for just under $1,200.

Other person got quotes based on her photos for $600-700 from other shops with "good Yelp ratings"...told her the car is new (8 months old) and I want it fixed to Lexus standards, so she said to go through insurance.

Will make the call to the insurance company tomorrow.
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Old 18 January 2018, 09:08 PM   #25
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Thanks for the update, good deal.
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Old 18 January 2018, 11:40 PM   #26
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I want it fixed to Lexus standards, so she said to go through insurance.

Will make the call to the insurance company tomorrow.
Great conclusion to the incident. That was very nice of you to give her a chance.
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Old 19 January 2018, 12:29 AM   #27
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Talk to insurance company about diminished value claim. Once a car gets a dirty carfax, it’s values drops thousands.
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Old 19 January 2018, 02:34 AM   #28
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Got a quote from the bodyshop associated with the Lexus dealer where I purchased. Based on what they see, they can remove the bumper cover, strip the paint, repaint and reinstall for just under $1,200.

Other person got quotes based on her photos for $600-700 from other shops with "good Yelp ratings"...told her the car is new (8 months old) and I want it fixed to Lexus standards, so she said to go through insurance.

Will make the call to the insurance company tomorrow.
Yes, good call. A car that new, and a premium car should definitely get the dealer treatment.

"Sam's auto body" may be good, but why risk it?
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Old 19 January 2018, 02:47 AM   #29
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I was rear ended about a year ago in my Mercedes. It didn't look THAT bad and there was no damage to the quarter panels or frame damage but it did almost $10k worth of damage to my car (that was the repair cost anyway).



I'd let your insurance company handle it and call Lexus for a recommendation on where to take it. Just to have some minor scuffs on the rear bumper of our ES350 fixed cost $800 and that wasn't replacing the bumper cover.
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Old 19 January 2018, 02:53 AM   #30
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Got a quote from the bodyshop associated with the Lexus dealer where I purchased. Based on what they see, they can remove the bumper cover, strip the paint, repaint and reinstall for just under $1,200.



Other person got quotes based on her photos for $600-700 from other shops with "good Yelp ratings"...told her the car is new (8 months old) and I want it fixed to Lexus standards, so she said to go through insurance.



Will make the call to the insurance company tomorrow.


Awesome call. Yelp is ok for food only imo.
As a former body mechanic & used car salesman, I can definitely say that going to the dealer for the repair is the best course of action. You could lose some percentage on resale when negotiating, but having repair paperwork from a dealer limits (sometimes eliminates on the back end) the amount deducted.

I can’t count the number of times people have tried to hit me with the “but it was repaired by a shop with good history” ploy. I’ve seen talented body men do great work at junk places like Earl Scheibb & seen Mickey Mouse hack jobs at Caliber and above.


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