Not using insurance after fender bender

[SavinMaven]

Our teenager rear-ended another vehicle at low speed the other day, causing minor damage to each vehicle's bumper. We would rather not involve insurance knowing a teen's rates could skyrocket, and the other driver graciously agreed to this. Other driver will get an estimate tomorrow and forward it to us.

Anyone done this before with any advice on what we do then? Do we contact their body shop and pay directly? That seems easiest but also seems like we're semi-assuming the other driver to be dishonest, which seems unfair. Do we venmo the other driver the amount of their repair? What do bogleheads recommend?

[ResearchMed]

Our teenager rear-ended another vehicle at low speed the other day, causing minor damage to each vehicle's bumper. We would rather not involve insurance knowing a teen's rates could skyrocket, and the other driver graciously agreed to this. Other driver will get an estimate tomorrow and forward it to us.

Anyone done this before with any advice on what we do then? Do we contact their body shop and pay directly? That seems easiest but also seems like we're semi-assuming the other driver to be dishonest, which seems unfair. Do we venmo the other driver the amount of their repair? What do bogleheads recommend?

Rear-ended?

1) What if the damage is far more than you are expecting?
2) What if it turns out that someone in the other car ends up claiming any injury?

Are there any deadlines in terms of notifying police or insurers?

RM

[JBTX]

Our teenager rear-ended another vehicle at low speed the other day, causing minor damage to each vehicle's bumper. We would rather not involve insurance knowing a teen's rates could skyrocket, and the other driver graciously agreed to this. Other driver will get an estimate tomorrow and forward it to us.

Anyone done this before with any advice on what we do then? Do we contact their body shop and pay directly? That seems easiest but also seems like we're semi-assuming the other driver to be dishonest, which seems unfair. Do we venmo the other driver the amount of their repair? What do bogleheads recommend?

The problem you can run into is that often insurance companies have leverage and arrangements with body shops. If you, or the other party goes in by themselves, they are likely to get a much higher quote than one procured through the oversight of an insurance company.

[Kagord]

Our teenager rear-ended another vehicle at low speed the other day, causing minor damage to each vehicle's bumper. We would rather not involve insurance knowing a teen's rates could skyrocket, and the other driver graciously agreed to this. Other driver will get an estimate tomorrow and forward it to us.

Anyone done this before with any advice on what we do then? Do we contact their body shop and pay directly? That seems easiest but also seems like we're semi-assuming the other driver to be dishonest, which seems unfair. Do we venmo the other driver the amount of their repair? What do bogleheads recommend?

Rear-ended?

1) What if the damage is far more than you are expecting?
2) What if it turns out that someone in the other car ends up claiming any injury?

Are there any deadlines in terms of notifying police or insurers?

RM

+1, especially if you were at fault, go through proper channels, have good documentation on everything. 40 years ago, I would have said something different, not today.

[Jags4186]

Here is my experience with trying to go around insurance with another party.

The offender says they want to go around insurance

The offended says they will go to their body shop and get a quote

The offended provides a quote to the offender of several thousand dollars

The offender scoffs and thinks they are getting ripped off because after all, it’s “just a little ding” that could be “pounded out” or “touched up”. “Go see my guy” they’ll say, “he’ll take care of you” — as if they’re doing you the favor.

The offended ends up forcing an insurance claim after wasting a ton of time and lots of bad feelings.

Since you are the offender, I would consider how you are going to play this.

[jkhayc]

Our teenager rear-ended another vehicle at low speed the other day, causing minor damage to each vehicle's bumper. We would rather not involve insurance knowing a teen's rates could skyrocket, and the other driver graciously agreed to this. Other driver will get an estimate tomorrow and forward it to us.

Anyone done this before with any advice on what we do then? Do we contact their body shop and pay directly? That seems easiest but also seems like we're semi-assuming the other driver to be dishonest, which seems unfair. Do we venmo the other driver the amount of their repair? What do bogleheads recommend?

As a former teen driver who had two rear endings (both my fault) I would be wary of getting sued.

[Jack FFR1846]

Wait for the estimate. If it's nothing but repainting the bumper cover, that's $500. If there's a crack or more in the bumper cover, it'll be replaced. Even with a junkyard cover repainted and installed, that's $1500. New, $2000. If any parts in addition, you're looking at $4000.

If indeed the estimate, or what the other person is willing to accept is ok with you have an ATTORNEY draw up an agreement that your CHECK pays for the accident and anything or anyone involved in full.

This is a lot to consider. If you're not willing to do all of this, report to your own insurance company and let them handle it. If your car is covered, you'll get your car fixed for the cost of the deductible. Even if you don't, the insurance company will pay out to the other person so your teen's accident will cause your insurance to jump.

As an aside, ALWAYS take pictures of the other car at the accident scene. My son ran into someone. The other car didn't look all that bad. Our car had zero sign that it hit anything. It was a very light hit.....like 0.2 mph. The other car's estimate was through the roof. I sent the adjuster pictures of the front of our undamaged car and the other person's estimate was thrown out and the damage was so low that my insurance was not affected.

[homebuyer6426]

Wait for the estimate. If it's nothing but repainting the bumper cover, that's $500. If there's a crack or more in the bumper cover, it'll be replaced. Even with a junkyard cover repainted and installed, that's $1500. New, $2000. If any parts in addition, you're looking at $4000.

Could be less if it's damage to one piece. Our vehicle had minor rear damage recently and the piece is around $200.

[cyclist]

Here is my experience with trying to go around insurance with another party.

The offender says they want to go around insurance

The offended says they will go to their body shop and get a quote

The offended provides a quote to the offender of several thousand dollars

The offender scoffs and thinks they are getting ripped off because after all, it’s “just a little ding” that could be “pounded out” or “touched up”. “Go see my guy” they’ll say, “he’ll take care of you” — as if they’re doing you the favor.

The offended ends up forcing an insurance claim after wasting a ton of time and lots of bad feelings.

Since you are the offender, I would consider how you are going to play this.

Our kid was on the other end of this exact script last week. Unnecessary stress and a waste of time for everyone.

Cyclist

[lthenderson]

For stuff like this, I always go through insurance no matter how painful any rate increase might be. The risks of having them claim more damage later after fixing the initial damage or claiming personal injury months down the road and suing is just not worth it.

[joppy]

There are state laws on when you are required to report an accident regardless of whether you handle it privately. Here's a list: https://www.enjuris.com/car-accident/ac ... uirements/

You should be able to find the official information for your state on your state motor vehicle department web site.

[MDfan]

We did it a couple of times with fender benders when our kids were new drivers. Had the other party get an estimate, they provided it to us, and we paid it with a check or cash (whatever they preferred). I think one was around $500 and one was about $1000. We did not go through insurance for either one and had no issues at all. I know how expensive a rate hike can be when you have a young driver cause an accident, no matter how minor. I don't use my auto insurance for anything except more expensive accidents (luckily only had one of those and our insurance skyrocketed). I do t eve n make towing clams any more because they will ding you for that, too, if you have too many claims.

[CC1E]

If there’s no police report or video, then it’s he-said she-said at this point. You could do what you want, including stiffing the guy she hit (which I don’t advocate).

Just cut him a check for the estimated repair amount, assuming it seems reasonable. You don’t want to be dealing directly with a body shop.

[tibbitts]

I would go through insurance.

[the_wiki]

Our teenager rear-ended another vehicle at low speed the other day, causing minor damage to each vehicle's bumper. We would rather not involve insurance knowing a teen's rates could skyrocket, and the other driver graciously agreed to this. Other driver will get an estimate tomorrow and forward it to us.

Anyone done this before with any advice on what we do then? Do we contact their body shop and pay directly? That seems easiest but also seems like we're semi-assuming the other driver to be dishonest, which seems unfair. Do we venmo the other driver the amount of their repair? What do bogleheads recommend?

Just be forewarned that car repairs have gone up with inflation and supply shortages. Someone rear-ended my month old car last summer going less than 10mph . It had some tiny dents and scratches in the bumper and lift gate. It looked like a cheap fix to all of us so the woman said she would probably not use insurance. Total was $3100! So of course she ended up having to file a claim.

[firebirdparts]

I’ve done it several times, but a long time ago when painting a bumper was hundreds not thousands. Your best bet, I guess, is to not fix either car and come up with a compensation number for the other party.

If you are going to fix the other car out of pocket then I have no advice. Just act accordingly.

[GeMoney]

I'm not an attorney nor should this be considered legal advice but you should probably have some kind of documentation such as a Release form signed (here's an example https://eforms.com/download/2016/08/gen ... y-form.pdf ) indicating whatever the payment is it is in full settlement for that incident. If not the other party could keep coming back for more.