I used to work in insurance. Depending on where you live, if they’re not 100% at fault, avoid claiming it through your insurance. Check places like online marketplaces for a bumper or a parts car. Sometimes you can find a car like yours with front parts intact, which might be cheaper than using your insurance.
@Chad
They’re absolutely at fault. I was just driving straight, and the guy tried crossing four lanes of traffic and hit me instead.
Misha said:
@Chad
They’re absolutely at fault. I was just driving straight, and the guy tried crossing four lanes of traffic and hit me instead.
Does the police report back you up on that? Insurance will need it to confirm the other driver is fully at fault. Some states are tricky about fault percentages.
@Chad
Yes, the police report says it was their fault.
Misha said:
@Chad
Yes, the police report says it was their fault.
That’s good. You shouldn’t need to involve your insurance then. Just deal directly with theirs and make sure they accept full responsibility.
@Chad
Thanks. My car’s going to the shop tomorrow to see what’s actually damaged. I’m just frustrated because I don’t know how this will turn out for me.
Misha said:
@Chad
Thanks. My car’s going to the shop tomorrow to see what’s actually damaged. I’m just frustrated because I don’t know how this will turn out for me.
Don’t take it to the shop yet. Call their insurance first and start the claim. An adjuster will come check the car and give you a check. If the repair costs more later, the shop can request extra from the insurance. Don’t involve your own insurance unless it’s necessary.
@David
Bad idea. Never let the other insurance company control the process if you’re not at fault.
Glenn said:
@David
Bad idea. Never let the other insurance company control the process if you’re not at fault.
I’ve done it twice without issues. If it’s clear-cut, you don’t need your insurance. Adjusters came, gave checks, and I picked my repair shop. Calling your own insurance turns it into a claim on your record and costs you the deductible.
@Chad
You’re getting good advice here. I work on cars in NC, and this process works.
I’d take it to a body shop and let them check for hidden damage. Even if the outside looks fine, modern cars can have underlying issues that aren’t obvious. For example, when my wife’s car got tapped at a stoplight, the damage ended up costing over $3K because of hidden structural problems.
@Beryl
Exactly. My intercooler is messed up, and who knows what else. It’s going to the shop tomorrow.
Misha said:
@Beryl
Exactly. My intercooler is messed up, and who knows what else. It’s going to the shop tomorrow.
That’s serious. Make sure the repairs use original parts and not cheap knock-offs. A lot of insurance companies try to cut corners.
Misha said:
@Beryl
Exactly. My intercooler is messed up, and who knows what else. It’s going to the shop tomorrow.
Your hood looks misaligned toward the driver’s side. Get it checked thoroughly.
Since you have proof the other driver was at fault, you should file through their insurance. No need to involve your own policy.
Make sure you’ve got pictures of everything. Did you get their insurance info?
Alan said:
Make sure you’ve got pictures of everything. Did you get their insurance info?
Yeah, the police handled all of that, and I just got off the phone with their insurance.
Alan said:
Make sure you’ve got pictures of everything. Did you get their insurance info?
Yeah, the police handled all of that, and I just got off the phone with their insurance.
Sounds like you’re in a good spot. Maybe consider talking to a lawyer to make sure you’re fully covered.
You’re lucky it looks like just brackets and the bumper cover. Usually, these kinds of hits mess up the hood and headlights too.