Ugh. Parking lot accident. Now what?

[HardDrive]

Baby sitter is in our Lexus today when a lady backs into her. Damage to the rear bumper cover. Almost certainly damage to the underlying bumper structure, as the cover is pulled away from the sheet metal slightly. I'm guessing it will run $1000-$1500. Lady gave our babysitter all her insurance info and admited fault.

Should I bother trying to get her insurance to pay, or just hand it off to Geico?

Sounds like a dumb question, but neither my wife nor I have been in an accident involving another vehicle in 20 years.

[dd74]

Is your babysitter on you and your wife's policy?

[bell]

gieco is always quick to settle, get a few estimates as their adjuster will lowball you.
being a rx330 i think you should more than double what you think it is going to cost to fix properly.....i'm thinking more like $3000-$3500....this is going off of no pics and assuming the bumper assembly needs removed....

[Danny_Ocean]

Originally posted by dd74
Is your babysitter on you and your wife's policy?

Shouldn't matter.

I'd try and jack the at-fault driver/insurance before turning it over to my own. Even though you are not at fault, they could count it as a claim and use it against you in the future. State Farm did this to me.

[bell]

danny said it.....if gieco tries to screw you would be the only time i would turn it over to my insurance......
i too am with sf

[dd74]

Originally posted by Danny_Ocean

I'd try and jack the at-fault driver/insurance before turning it over to my own. Even though you are not at fault, they could count it as a claim and use it against you in the future. State Farm did this to me.

That's exactly why I asked if the sitter was on the policy. It "shouldn't matter," but sounds like it could matter.

[Danny_Ocean]

Originally posted by dd74
That's exactly why I asked if the sitter was on the policy. It "shouldn't matter," but sounds like it could matter.

But it doesn't. If the sitter was at fault, his insurance would still pay.

[HardDrive]

Our sitter is not on the policy. She uses the car occasionally as needed.

[HardDrive]

Originally posted by HardDrive
Our sitter is not on the policy. She uses the car occasionally as needed.

The driver who hit out car is with State Farm, we are with Geico.

Is the babysitter hot?

[the]

Pay it off the hard way?

[competentone]

Originally posted by HardDrive
Our sitter is not on the policy. She uses the car occasionally as needed.

You will probably want to read your policy carefully; most policies require you to list drivers who would use a vehicle on a "regular" basis. I know you say "occasionally," but Geico might consider it differently -- they do have a right to know what their exposure is when they insure you.

Specific to your question; I know in South Carolina, if you put a claim in with your insurance company, even if the other driver is at fault, the insurance company will treat your claim as an at-fault accident and raise your rates. You have the right to fight it, but they have the right to treat the claim as an at-fault accident.

I also had an incident where another driver hit me -- she was completely at fault -- but when her insurance company cut me a check, my insurance company treated the payment date as a date I had an at-fault accident and tried to raise my rates at renewal.

Lesson: keep on eye on what your insurance company says is your accident record after any incident, whether you are at fault or not.

[livi]

Originally posted by the
Pay it off the hard way?

Now then, honey. Letīs see if we can work somethinī out here..

But seriously, sorry to here about the accident. Hope it all works out satisfactory...

[fintstone]

I personally would not volunteer to either insurance company that the driver of your car is employed by you and used the car in the discharge of her duties. They would probably raise your rates.
IMHO, you should turn it over to your insurance company to collect from the other.

[cashflyer]

Originally posted by competentone
Specific to your question; I know in South Carolina, if you put a claim in with your insurance company, even if the other driver is at fault, the insurance company will treat your claim as an at-fault accident and raise your rates.

I have been with State Farm in South Carolina for 23 years and they have NEVER raised my rates for an accident in which I was not at fault.

As to Harddrives question, I would call Geico and ask them for their advice. I know with State Farm, you can have them pay for it and they will then subrogate the claim to the at faults insurer.

If you have your insurance co pay for it without claim to the at-faults insurer, then you are subject to the deductible. If you claim it against the other party, they have to pay in full.

Do NOT tell either insurance company that the babysitter is an EMPLOYEE. It then becomes "business use" of your vehicle - and if you're not paying for that type coverage....

The babysitter was a FRIEND who was doing you a favor. That's it.

[JeremyD]

Lucky she didn't get hurt - worker's comp...

[wrecktech]

Originally posted by HardDrive
Damage to the rear bumper cover. Almost certainly damage to the underlying bumper structure, as the cover is pulled away from the sheet metal slightly. I'm guessing it will run $1000-$1500.

We just repaired a ford focus hit very light in front, just cover and rebar and it was about $1500.

[stevepaa]

Go get an estimate from the local Lexus dealer or whoever does the Porsches in your area. Give the quote to the lady driver with the caveat that it may go higher once the cover is removed. Let her decide if she would like to pay it out of pocket or use her insurance company.