Accident scam?

[woodstock827]

Hey guys, my friend got into an accident and I wanna see what you guys think of it in case it happens to myself in the future.

So my friend was parking, the car skid on some ice and hit the parked car in front. There was no one around, so he left a note on his windshield instead (yes I know you're SUPPOSED to wait until the owner comes, but seriously how many people do that?)
Now that car's owner called back, and they exchanged information. He told my friend he'd only give out his info as long as insurance wasn't contacted, and he'd bring his car to HIS preferred bodyshop for a quote.
The quote came back to about $1800, and the quote faxed was so faint u can't really read anything otherthan the darkened total price. My friend talked to a few friends of ours and decided it's way too high for such minor damage. However, the "victim" won't go to another bodyshop, not even the dealership unless it was towed to the dealership because he said it's "dangerous" to drive it since one brake light was broke (although he could drive it to his friend's bodyshop).

The guy's car is a Tercel, so if he go through insurance, it mite even be totalled. Is it worth it to tow it to the dealership, or better just to pay it although you know you're probably getting scamed?

Thanks.

[nopn]

i am not sure how bad is it, but i can tell you some minor which most people think can cost up to thousand, did your friend took a pic when he hit the car ?

[l69norm]

...However, the "victim" won't go to another bodyshop, not even the dealership unless it was towed to the dealership because he said it's "dangerous" to drive it since one brake light was broke (although he could drive it to his friend's bodyshop)..

Tell him for anything over $1000, get 3 quotes or go via insurance.

At least, get a readable quote from his shop. It sounds like he doesn't have any insurance.

I had a friend cause a collision when he turned in front of a car. The other driver just backed up and drove off! The cops figured either the other driver didn't have insurance or had a suspended license.

Just as a data point, repair for very minor damage (i.e. barely visible) from a parking scuff starts at $1,000.

[Pete_Coach]

Your buddy is holding all the cards. You need to report the accident to the Police and get a file number. The cops do not car about insurances etc so they will not report it but you have a record that you can use against the other guy.
With reporting the accident, your buddy can not be held ransom by some jerk wanting to cash in on your friends misfortune.

[woodstock827]

Just as a data point, repair for very minor damage (i.e. barely visible) from a parking scuff starts at $1,000.

well he talked to a few of his frds who'r automechanics, they say it's too high... you can replace to whole bumper with that money.. and I'm sure it costs a lot more if the frame got damaged.


Your buddy is holding all the cards. You need to report the accident to the Police and get a file number. The cops do not car about insurances etc so they will not report it but you have a record that you can use against the other guy.
Is there a time period within which you have to report it? I think for insurance it's 72 hours?
Technically police has to be called when damage is over $1000, rite? what if you find out only later that it's over $1000 just this case here? You can still contact police afterwards?

[Pete_Coach]

well he talked to a few of his frds who'r automechanics, they say it's too high... you can replace to whole bumper with that money.. and I'm sure it costs a lot more if the frame got damaged.


Is there a time period within which you have to report it? I think for insurance it's 72 hours?
Technically police has to be called when damage is over $1000, rite? what if you find out only later that it's over $1000 just this case here? You can still contact police afterwards?

As someone else said, to estimate damage is difficult. I believe the law requires you to report all accidents but to call an officer into the scene it needs to be over $1000 or have injuries. I am not exactly sure of this. Regardless, for your own protection (as in scams as you suspect) cover your butt. I think you were suposed to report it within 48 hours but you can always say you though it was less until this guy came up with the prices.
By the way, $1800 damage to the Tercel? I am not sure any Tercel is worth that anymore. Didn't they stop making them over ten years ago.
Anyway, call up the guy with the Tercel, tell him you need to report this to the Police because of the amount of damage and see what happens. Chances are he will panic ad the damages reduce dramatically. Even if he goes o under a grand, report to the cops anyway.
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/faq/vehicle.htm#collision

[evolution921]

$1800 can buy him another Tercel!

[corrupt123]

I'd offer the guy a few hundred bucks and call it a day, tops. If the guy didn't want to give you his info for fear of going through insurance, then the odd's of him reporting this to insurance to repair his Tercel are slim to none.

[Engi-Nir]

my bumber was hit from the back, a SMALL crack near the licence plate area, and guess what the total was, 3000, cause they couldn't weld up the crack, normally that is what is done, and inside bumber bracket was also damaged so they need to replace the bumber and bracket, and then paint it...Mine is a 2yr old car, i went through insurance...and I took it to a dealership repair center ...normal shop woud have welded it half ass and charged 400 bucks...but if it was an old car, i would have settled at the halfass weld job.

[RedDeer17]

I'm always confused when I read that police won't come the scene if damage less that $1K. Like was noted earlier it's not easy to estimate damage unless you have an experience.
But let's pretend that damages are indeed less than 1K and you go to the collision centre. How can you prove that was other's side fault if the other side is dishonest? I'm sure it's easier for collision centre to decide 50% at fault in case of a dispute and both insurance companies will be happy to jack up premium for the their insurance policies.

[m4gician]

haha the guys car is a TERCEL are you freaking serious!? www.car-part.com the part should cost you less, and labour to put it on. JEeze no way it's $1800 to fix a tercel, most tercels are worth less than $1500

[D-3vil]

I'm always confused when I read that police won't come the scene if damage less that $1K. Like was noted earlier it's not easy to estimate damage unless you have an experience.
But let's pretend that damages are indeed less than 1K and you go to the collision centre. How can you prove that was other's side fault if the other side is dishonest? I'm sure it's easier for collision centre to decide 50% at fault in case of a dispute and both insurance companies will be happy to jack up premium for the their insurance policies.

Collision reporting centres don't assign fault, they merely take your report (hence the name). The insurance companies then assign fault according to the fault determination rules (available online -- this is for Ontario). If the two accounts of the accident are conflicting, then there will be an investigation.

Tell your friend to man up and know his rights. $1800 is way too much to pay (what's next, the other party will claim back injury, even though they weren't in the car at the time?). He should contact the other party and tell them that $1800 is way too much and he can't afford it (forcing them to go through insurance). He should also be asking to see original quotes of the work to be performed, as well as reserve the right to go to another body shop for price confirmation purposes.
In other words, they should make sure that what they're paying is to cover the amount of damage they did, not a cent more.

Geez, talk about incentive to just drive away next time!

[bobbings]

Collision reporting centres don't assign fault, they merely take your report (hence the name). The insurance companies then assign fault according to the fault determination rules (available online -- this is for Ontario). If the two accounts of the accident are conflicting, then there will be an investigation.

Tell your friend to man up and know his rights. $1800 is way too much to pay (what's next, the other party will claim back injury, even though they weren't in the car at the time?). He should contact the other party and tell them that $1800 is way too much and he can't afford it (forcing them to go through insurance). He should also be asking to see original quotes of the work to be performed, as well as reserve the right to go to another body shop for price confirmation purposes.
In other words, they should make sure that what they're paying is to cover the amount of damage they did, not a cent more.

Geez, talk about incentive to just drive away next time!

+1 agreed

That dude is out to scam you from your hard earned cash. Say you're broke and either take the few hundred that you're offering or go through insurance.

Correct me if I'm wrong but don't both parties need to exchange insurance information in an accident? Unless it's different for an accident where the other guy wasn't in the car when it happened.

If your friend doesn't mind going through insurance and it's the other guy that wants to solve it under the table, the cards are in your hand. He shouldn't benefit from this other than to have the car fixed for the damages your friend caused.

My aunt once backed into some dude who was in the car parked right outside my driveway (God knows what he was doing right outside my driveway) and he wanted to fix the rust that had formed earlier on. He was peesed off because my aunt wouldn't pay him for the rust. He called the police and the police beeched at him for being a prick. My aunt was more than happy to pay for the damages she caused which was a minor scuff but no way was she going to pay for rust on the other side of the car lol

[woodstock827]

thanks for the input everyone!

my friend said the other guy won't budge.. so it's either the $1800 or go through insurance...

he didn't tell me which route he decided to take though... my guess is probably the cash route... since he drives quite a lot now for work purposes and having an at-fault record on him for 5-7 years is just not worth it even if it won't increase his rate immediately. He's on the road a good chunk of his work hours.

[bobbings]

thanks for the input everyone!

my friend said the other guy won't budge.. so it's either the $1800 or go through insurance...

he didn't tell me which route he decided to take though... my guess is probably the cash route... since he drives quite a lot now for work purposes and having an at-fault record on him for 5-7 years is just not worth it even if it won't increase his rate immediately. He's on the road a good chunk of his work hours.

Do you have pictures to show us the damage? I mean, 1800 is a lot but at the same time, it's not depending on the extent of the damage. He won't budge because he wants to pocket some of the cash as well as his Tercel isn't worth it. If your friend is fine with it, then good job and lucky Tercel driver...

Won't budge as in he will not take it anywhere else to get a quote?

Like someone else mentioned earlier, more of an incentive to just walk off with corrupt people like that Tercel driver.

[HammerJoe]

Tell your friend to be done with it and report to the insurance.
Just think of this, one at fault claim will only raise annual premium by $200-$300 tops.
Some companies even offer first at fault waiver, have your friend check with his insurance.

Even if it increases his premium by $300/annual it would take 6 years for him to pay the amount of damage the other guy is asking.
Also after a few year the impact of the claim will be less felt.

Unless you have a poor driving record why go thru the hassle of being scammed and not just report to the insurance.

Like other people said, there could be a reason why the other guy doesnt want to go thru insurance.

[Avatar]

Right. $1800 is a scam for a Tercel. It's not that bad to have your first and only at fault accident. Pretty sure you don't have to pay that much to the insurance for a minor accident like this. I will go to the insurance if he insist and let the insurace take over the case. But he has to send his insurance info to your friend by law.

But again, if he has lots of money and doesn't care about $1800 then pay the guy off and forget everything. Sometime it's not the money but the corrupted money oriented ppl you are dealing with. My van got rear ended last time and left two holes marks on bumper and I let it go.

[Tomy]

i thought a tercel is only worth 1800$..

hwo can a bumper be worth more than the car?

[stevethewheel]

It is possible that the Tercel costs $1800 to fix if they use all new parts and make that bumper look like the car is brand new.

It is true that that is a waste of money on an old Tercel but it's hard to find an old bumper that matches the car. Dude I would not want my rusty fender replaced with another rusty fender if you get my drift.

I suggest your buddy offers him whatever he thinks he can afford ($900?) and tell the guy he doesn't care what he does with the money. (but your buddy gets a note from the guy, signed saying this is the total damages and no future claims) If I was Tercel owner I would rather have the $900 cash, fix my tail light, tie a rope to the bumper and a tree and straighten it out, then put the money in my pocket.

If your buddy goes thru insurance, then Tercel owner gets no money, and a bumper he doesn't need.

[m4gician]

tercel cost is mainly hte labour in this case. The body shop is basically charging their "fair share" even though any of us could the work they're going to do, (unscrew and rescrew bumper after painting it).

[masterballer]

No offence but if your buddy gives in to this guy then he is a sucker.

[romsan04]

thats why I would never leave any notes....

[maxgohan]

sounds like the dude is trying to scam you
tell him you can't afford more than $300 and for anything after that he will have to contact your insurance company,

problem solved

if i had a beater and it got bumped, being as broke as i am now, i would just ask the guy to fill up my tank and throw some $$'s my way for my troubles :)

[T-Man]

I think Tercel latest model was 1999:

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/bm/95-99tercel.htm

Sounds like the other guy doesn't have insurance, so thats why he insisted on avoided them. AS for the faxed, have the other guy use a digital camera and take a clear shot of the quote and E-mail to your buddy. If he can't/won't then you know your suspicions about this guy might be right

[kenchau]

I'll tell you what. Tell your buddy to tell the Tercel guy, he's going through insurance, no buts about it. Your buddy doesn't actually have to go through insurance and can just go about getting the car fixed.

Chances are the Tercel guy won't be going to insurance because the car is worth nothing. But if he does decide he wants to go through insurance, he needs to report it at the collision centre. Then your buddy might be screwed for insurance - but come on, the Tercel is worthless.

Anyone know what happens if only one party reports at the collision centre? I always wondered.

[thelefteyeguy]

Tell your friend to be done with it and report to the insurance.
Just think of this, one at fault claim will only raise annual premium by $200-$300 tops.
Some companies even offer first at fault waiver, have your friend check with his insurance.

Even if it increases his premium by $300/annual it would take 6 years for him to pay the amount of damage the other guy is asking.
Also after a few year the impact of the claim will be less felt.

Unless you have a poor driving record why go thru the hassle of being scammed and not just report to the insurance.

Like other people said, there could be a reason why the other guy doesnt want to go thru insurance.

yes true

BUT strike 1

Strike 2...you'll get the red form ^_^ and prepare to pay $2-3K plus to what you pay now. ;) ...and yes for the next 5 years (usually progressive less each yr) :cheesygri


so you need to roll the dice ;)

[thelefteyeguy]

I'll tell you what. Tell your buddy to tell the Tercel guy, he's going through insurance, no buts about it. Your buddy doesn't actually have to go through insurance and can just go about getting the car fixed.

Chances are the Tercel guy won't be going to insurance because the car is worth nothing. But if he does decide he wants to go through insurance, he needs to report it at the collision centre. Then your buddy might be screwed for insurance - but come on, the Tercel is worthless.

Anyone know what happens if only one party reports at the collision centre? I always wondered.


the insurance company will ask you to report it :cheesygri

[hamant]

tercel cost is mainly hte labour in this case. The body shop is basically charging their "fair share" even though any of us could the work they're going to do, (unscrew and rescrew bumper after painting it).

x 2... the body shop is trying to make as much as they can off this... thats all... he's probably not trying to scam you.

but seriously, anything more than 300 and your friend should call this guys bluff..

go through insurnace....
tell them he hit you..lol

[thelefteyeguy]

can you tell us what the $1,800 is for?

just the bumper?

so far the story is one sided and little info.

It could be fore more items.

Tarcel is small...could be more damage

[woodstock827]

I honestly can't tell you what the $1800 is for since it wasn't myself who was involved in the accident... I saw the fax quote and it was pretty illegible.

Haven't talked to him since then though.. I'll post a follow up when I find out.


yes true

BUT strike 1

Strike 2...you'll get the red form ^_^ and prepare to pay $2-3K plus to what you pay now. ...and yes for the next 5 years (usually progressive less each yr)

That's exactly what my friend is afraid of.. first accident usually don't affect insurance that much.. but with the amount of driving that he does... chances are pretty high that he'll get a strike 2 or even 3.

[Kinki]

I think you need to confirm a bit more details with your friend.

As mentioned the break light wasn't working. So does that mean the bump from behind was actually a hit? Just guessing: cracked tail light, dented bumper, damages to the trunk, possible body damage behind the bumper.

$1800 in OEM parts and labour seems fair if the above damages was done to the Tercel.