Urgent! Shopping cart hit the car

[xyz161]

What is the name of your state? NJ

I was putting the grocery in my car, and the empty shopping cart ran away from me due to the slope, and hit someone's car parked making a dent. I called the party from the store, and explained. We didn't call the insurance and exchanged phone numbers. She got two estimates for the repair, but I want to get another estimate from my mechanic. She is refusing asking to go through the insurance route.

My questions are:

- What are my responsibilities?
- How does the insuracne co. get involved since I didn't hit by my car.
- Any other suggstions?

Thanks in advance,

 

[racer72]

Because your own auto was not involved, your auto insurance probably will not cover the damage. If you do not want to pay out of pocket, you may have to file a claim with your home owners insurance.

 

[HomeGuru]

What is the name of your state? NJ

I was putting the grocery in my car, and the empty shopping cart ran away from me due to the slope, and hit someone's car parked making a dent. I called the party from the store, and explained. We didn't call the insurance and exchanged phone numbers. She got two estimates for the repair, but I want to get another estimate from my mechanic. She is refusing asking to go through the insurance route.

My questions are:

- What are my responsibilities?
- How does the insuracne co. get involved since I didn't hit by my car.
- Any other suggstions?

Thanks in advance,

**A: how much are we talking here, $250?

 

[xyz161]

more qs.

Thanks guys:

1. I will have to check, but even this accident did not happen in my house (it was in the shop's parking lot), I wonder even my home ins. will cover this.

2. First the party said the estimate is 520, but I'l get another estimate. The next days she said it is 475. Then I said I'd like to go to my shop since I know the person. I gave the address etc. Now they say my shop gave 540. I had already informed my shop to call me when a case like this come. The haven't called, so I called the shop and they say nobody came for the estimate! I asked the party to send me a fax of the 3 estiamtes. She turned angry and said you are not believing and I have gone through enough trouble. I just have two estimates (520 and 540). The one for 475 was verbal as written estimate costs $25 so she hasn't got it. So, I said ok send the two estimates and I'll write a check to the shop. So, again she was angry and said if you want to pay the shop bring your registration etc., and let the insurance company pay it. She want s the check in her name. Now, I think she is trying to get the check herself for a higher amount and then get the job done for less amount and keep the difference. My questions again are:

- I agree it was my fault that the cart hit the car, but it was an accident due to the slope, and even if I am willing to pay for it, is it fair onm my part to aske for the estimates?

- Should I call the police next time when she meets, and get this reported?

Thanks again,

 

[Souix]

Re: more qs.

Thanks guys:

1. I will have to check, but even this accident did not happen in my house (it was in the shop's parking lot), I wonder even my home ins. will cover this.


**Check your policy. You may have liability which would cover you on things like property damages or bodily injury away from home. I know I have it on my homeowner's policy.


2. First the party said the estimate is 520, but I'l get another estimate. The next days she said it is 475. Then I said I'd like to go to my shop since I know the person. I gave the address etc. Now they say my shop gave 540. I had already informed my shop to call me when a case like this come. The haven't called, so I called the shop and they say nobody came for the estimate! I asked the party to send me a fax of the 3 estiamtes. She turned angry and said you are not believing and I have gone through enough trouble. I just have two estimates (520 and 540). The one for 475 was verbal as written estimate costs $25 so she hasn't got it. So, I said ok send the two estimates and I'll write a check to the shop. So, again she was angry and said if you want to pay the shop bring your registration etc., and let the insurance company pay it. She want s the check in her name. Now, I think she is trying to get the check herself for a higher amount and then get the job done for less amount and keep the difference. My questions again are:

- I agree it was my fault that the cart hit the car, but it was an accident due to the slope, and even if I am willing to pay for it, is it fair onm my part to aske for the estimates?


**I would think so, since you have offered to pay for it.


- Should I call the police next time when she meets, and get this reported?


**What do you mean "next time when she meets"?

I would think this to be a minor scratch or dent, how come so much money?

Thanks again,

 

[xyz161]

next meting

Thanks Souix for the quick reply.

She is asking to meet me since she does not want to fax me the estimates and since I said I'll pay to the body shop instead paying directly to her, she said she will exchange registration/insuracen info. in person. That's why I said "when we meet next time".

I was thinking about this on the way home, and I thought that if i am paying it is like I am the insurance co. Will the insurance co. just pay to her? I don't hink so. The ins. co. would ask to go THEIR PREFERRED body shops, get estimates, and then get it repaired by the lowest bidder, and pay to the shop. I am trying to do the same, but she says since I hit her car, she is trying to accomodate me by providing the estimates.

Anyways, i am thinking that when we meet next time, I'll get the police report, and let her go to the small claims court.

Let me know if anyobody has any suggestions ....

I feel that this is such a small thing but taking unnecessary energy from me.

I appreciate all your helps ...

 

[Souix]

Re: next meting

Thanks Souix for the quick reply.

She is asking to meet me since she does not want to fax me the estimates and since I said I'll pay to the body shop instead paying directly to her, she said she will exchange registration/insuracen info. in person. That's why I said "when we meet next time".

I was thinking about this on the way home, and I thought that if i am paying it is like I am the insurance co. Will the insurance co. just pay to her? I don't hink so. The ins. co. would ask to go THEIR PREFERRED body shops, get estimates, and then get it repaired by the lowest bidder, and pay to the shop. I am trying to do the same, but she says since I hit her car, she is trying to accomodate me by providing the estimates.

Anyways, i am thinking that when we meet next time, I'll get the police report, and let her go to the small claims court.

Let me know if anyobody has any suggestions ....

I feel that this is such a small thing but taking unnecessary energy from me.

I appreciate all your helps ...

***For such a small thing, it sounds like you are being scammed. But, of course, I only know your side of the story. Tell her you would like to get a few estimates yourself since you are paying for it, and if she says no, tell her you are not going to pay until you are satisfied with the estimates she has provided or the ones you get yourself. I don't see what the police can do for you, hopefully they have better things to do.

What happened to her car anyway? Don't you wish you wouldn't have been such a good citizen and opened this can of worms?

 

[ohfiddle]

Re: next meting

You caused the damage to her vehicle. Your homeowners insurance may cover it, you should check with your agent.

If this lady has two legitimate written estimates to repair the damage, she does not have to go to the repair shop of your choice for a third estimate, nor go there to get the work done. It is up to her if she even has the repair work done.

The point is - you caused damage to her vehicle. If you had backed into her car in the parking lot and turned this claim over to your insurance company, they would have sent an appraiser out to look at her car. Then, once an agreed amount was reached, they cut a check to her. They would also have her sign a release. She can take it and have the damage repaired, or she can cash it and go play bingo with it.

Try your homeowner's coverage first. If they don't cover it, and you and the other driver can't agree on a settlement amount, then her recourse is to sue you in small claims court, where she is likely to prevail against you.

She is asking to meet me since she does not want to fax me the estimates and since I said I'll pay to the body shop instead paying directly to her, she said she will exchange registration/insuracen info. in person. That's why I said "when we meet next time".

 

[xyz161]

damage

Souix: The damage is a dent on the passenger side front door on a mazda (protege I guess), the model seems to be 95-96. it is not in the best condition.

I understand it is my side of story, and i am not doubting even her estimates. I just want it to be done from my shop so i can bargain a little.

"Don't you wish you wouldn't have been such a good citizen and opened this can of worms?"

you bet !!!


ohfiddle: Thanks for your input. I'll check with the homeowner's ins. But I was surprised to know that the ins. co. after the assessment pay to the party and not to the shop. Anyways, if that is the case, I'll accomodate to her request if homeowner's ins. denies it.

By the way, if the homeowner's ins. pays this claim, will my premium be affected (I mean increased?) I heard that most ins. cos. look at the record that whether I made claim or not, if yes, evenually they increase the premium and get their money back.

 

[RunningOnEmpty]

You are talking about the energy you have spent on this incident....what about the other person? They have gotten two estimates! Now you want to send them to another shop to get a third one? It sounds like you are being unreasonable.

This is the reason that most people, who start out agreeing to allow the responsible party to pay out of pocket, change their mind and decide they want the insurance company to handle it. Nobody wants to be made to jump through hoops, especially when they are the wronged party. They are under no obligation to do this.

Your insurance company would most likely send an adjuster to look at the vehicle, write an estimate and give this person a check. The person has the choice to fix their car or not. And yes, that person could decide to have the repairs done at Cheapie Auto Body and pocket the difference. That is entirely their business.

Why on earth would you want this person to take you to small claims court? They could just as easily give those same two estimates to the judge, who is going to order you to pay. Then you're going to have a judgement against you. The judge certainly isn't going to make them obtain more estimates, until they obtain the one you like.

Yes, your insurance premiums might increase. If you have turned in other claims, you might even get cancelled. For such a small amount of money, I would just suck it up and write a check for the lessor of the two estimates they provided.

Good luck!

 

[xyz161]

case closed!

I paid the check to the party, and got the receipt signed for the same. The case is closed!

Thanks all for your thoughts. It was a good learning lesson overall.