Wrecked a car on a test drive. What's the right thing to do? - Page 2

wdfifteen · wdfifteen's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeanPizzle

The moment I shook his hand with intention to buy the car, it was mine and my insurance covers me on any car I buy immediately.

If this is true I don't see any problem.
Just in case, I would have talked to the owner and agreed in writing that you had purchased it prior to the wreck in order to avoid any "issues" with the insurance co. In the OP you said you were test driving the car. I would eliminate the phrase "test driving" from my vocabulary until this is settled.

Steve Carlton · 11-27-2011, 07:31 AM

I would just be honest with the insurance company and let them sort out who pays. It's going to depend on what state you're in, I think. In CA, the owner's insurance applies first and the driver's is in secondary position. Be sure to find an excellent body shop, not the one the insurance wants you to use. The insurance and the shop will work it out.

Kudos to you. My expectation would be for the driver to say "see you later."

McLovin · 11-27-2011, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

I would just be honest with the insurance company and let them sort out who pays. It's going to depend on what state you're in, I think. In CA, the owner's insurance applies first and the driver's is in secondary position. Be sure to find an excellent body shop, not the one the insurance wants you to use. The insurance and the shop will work it out.

This seems like the right thing to do.

If you accidentally wrecked a new car that you were test driving at a new car dealership, would you also agree to buy that car?

patssle · 11-27-2011, 07:55 AM

1 person test drove my 914 before I bought it off the previous owner. He scratched the side up against the house (garage was in backyard)...there is still a nice white scratch on the passenger side door and the guy ran and was never heard from again. Classy.

Gretch · 11-27-2011, 07:57 AM

Not behaving like a douche bag starts you off on the right foot with me. FWTIW.

johnsjmc · 11-27-2011, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McLovin

This seems like the right thing to do.

If you accidentally wrecked a new car that you were test driving at a new car dealership, would you also agree to buy that car?

I wouldn't but I might offer to pay the deductable. Lucky no one was hurt .Sheetmetal is repairable.

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

I would just be honest with the insurance company and let them sort out who pays. It's going to depend on what state you're in, I think. In CA, the owner's insurance applies first and the driver's is in secondary position. Be sure to find an excellent body shop, not the one the insurance wants you to use. The insurance and the shop will work it out.

Kudos to you. My expectation would be for the driver to say "see you later."

Exactly. The two ins. co.s will figure it out. Even if his ins. has to pay, you should pay the deductible.

Enjoy the car, but change the tires - they may be old too (and thus hard, lacking grip), not just worn down.

Steve Carlton · 11-27-2011, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWebb

Enjoy the car, but change the tires - they may be old too (and thus hard, lacking grip), not just worn down.

I'm reminded of this recently discussed image...

Jeff Alton · 11-27-2011, 10:14 PM

Ummm, did anyone spot the Troll?

KFC911 · 11-28-2011, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Alton

Ummm, did anyone spot the Troll?

I've been called worse

Who dat be iff'n it ain't me?

speeder · 11-28-2011, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Ummm, did anyone spot the Troll?

No. Who is it?

Head416 · Head416's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeanPizzle

Realistically, it was his car in the official sense and his insurance should cover it.

If I crash a buddy's car isn't it my liability insurance that pays for it? Not his comprehensive?

KFC911 · 11-28-2011, 08:18 AM

I thought insurance was on the car(s), not drivers, at least that's how it is here (I think)...let them sort it out is probably correct

intakexhaust · intakexhaust's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Head416

If I crash a buddy's car isn't it my liability insurance that pays for it? Not his comprehensive?

I do believe thats the case in Illinois. But then again, the circumstances of the original post could be brought to court between insurance carriers.

Test drives: Not to hijack the thread but years ago when I sold new high-line cars, I could tell stories that would boggle one's mind about how many idiots I had to deal with the thinking they could drive like an F1 driver. From doctors to pro-athletes... my life was in their hands and I even had to scold a few. We also had cars coming back from non-supervised demo's trashed, busted alloys, bloodied seats and dashboards!

Macroni · Macroni's Garage

Here is my experience; two years ago a branch fell and hit my car, six months after I purchased it. The claim was denied by Hartford because I did not notify properly when I purchased the car. All my insurance was paid up but the car was not listed my previous car was.

IMO, this claim needs to be filed against the previous owner of the car. He had it insured.

scottmandue · 11-28-2011, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RANDY P

I always make the owner drive the car with me shotgun, I'll only take the wheel after I get a good idea the car is OK after that. I actually try to minimize the time behind the wheel - if it's a private party purchase.

rjp

Same here...

AFTER I took possession of my 944 I noticed the tires were a little worn... what I didn't know was one of the rear tires had a slow leak... punched it exiting a turn and did a 180... fortunately it was late at night and no one was around.
No harm, no foul, no ambulance.

Next day got new tires.

Kudos to you for buying the car.

Jeff Alton · 11-28-2011, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speeder

No. Who is it?

Seems like a strange first post from the OP....

Macroni · Macroni's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Alton

Seems like a strange first post from the OP....

Jeff..... I must be dense........ what do you mean?

Jeff Alton · 11-28-2011, 09:49 AM

Whole thing just seems odd to me, that is all. Back to my regular programming!

Sean, do you have any pics of the damage? What does the seller think is a fair way to proceed?

SeanPizzle · 11-28-2011, 05:35 PM

Not a troll. I appreciate the posts. I retrospect the word "test drive" might have been a misnomer, the car was mine the moment I laid eyes on it and we agreed on a fair price. 64K miles, two prior adult owners (I am 43), very babied and a lot more powerful than my last Dinan M3 that I sold in 2002.

I brought the car home, gave the owner a cashiers check and notified my insurance company about my mishap.

Here's a pic of the "good" side

the bad side

and gratuitous shot of my old M3 winning Solo II National Championship (not in my hands) in 2002

And, the car that I drive in the dirt where overcoming oversteer is done by pushing down more on the stupid pedal (FWD vs. RWD). (My race friends have been giving me no small ration of s**t about this incident)

That's my story and I am sticking with it. I