Got new car and rear ended! Minor scratch. What should I do?
Posted by saumyadabhi@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 18 comments
I got rear ended today at the red light. The scratches are minor, just two of them. The lady who hit me was apologizing and being cooperative. We exchanged information and everything. I bought this car two days back on finance. I have insurance. What should I do? This is my first time owning a car so please help me. Thank you!
bigkutta@reddit
Depending on the speed, there could be unseen damage. Report it to your insurance and have the car inspected and repaired. Your insurance will go after hers to get it fixed.
voucher420@reddit
If OP felt it at all, then it is very likely that there is hidden damage under the bumper cover.
shunsh1ne@reddit
Unlikely, it’s called a bumper for a reason, ya ever taken the plastic cover to find out what’s underneath? I’ll tell ya, it’s a steal beam across mounted to a hard point in the chassis. I understood the post it’s just paint damage.
voucher420@reddit
A lot of modern bumpers have impact foam under the bumper cover that once compressed, needs to be replaced.
shunsh1ne@reddit
You are right, I looked em up for mine and the girlfriends car, they in the $50-$100 range, one time use item, I got one of em in the garage, used, technically but perfectly serviceable. They help deaden impact, happy bumping to yall.
saumyadabhi@reddit (OP)
I was on the red light stopped and she came behind me also stopped. She might have put her foot off of the gas paddle and slightly rear ended me. When you said have the car inspected should I take it to the dealership from where I bought it?
bigkutta@reddit
Call your insurance and report it. They will tell you to take it to a repair shop that they suggest, or one you want to use. Then you’ll get an estimate and submit to your insurance. Then get the car repaired even if it’s a few scratches. It’s a new car
saumyadabhi@reddit (OP)
Thanks buddy for sharing the process!
Firestone5555@reddit
Forget it....tell her not to worry about it. Take some pictures to cover your ass. Feel good about it, you're not part of the problem....you are one of the good ones!
saumyadabhi@reddit (OP)
Wise words!!
headbangerzrock@reddit
I ised to work insurance so take this information however you qant. You have (depending on your insurance) 3 to 4 options
1:Create a claim on the vehicle that hit you insurance where you will pay 0 dollars and be provided a rental.by that person's insurance
2: If your insurance has collision and rental coverage you can file with your insurance and they will atempt to get the payments from the other person's insurance
3: You can figure it out w/ the person (0/10 don't recommend) but nothing is binding so if they ghost you before repairs are made then you are kinda SOL.
4: can always do nothing :)
saumyadabhi@reddit (OP)
What if I can just ask the dealership people to check on it for any hidden damages? If they find it, then can I claim it? Or is it necessary to let the insurance people know first and then follow their recommendations?
shunsh1ne@reddit
Call insurance first, the dealership will charge you something to look at it, I’d guess
R0ck3tSc13nc3@reddit
Contact your insurance company, make sure you have the person who hit yous driver's license and insurance information and provide it to your insurance company. Tell them that you're not at fault, that you were rear-ended, damager's minor but you need to have the car return to perfect condition because it's financed, if you've got a loan on that car it has to stay perfect and that means you have to go get it fixed. Even scratches
HotmailsInYourArea@reddit
This is the sort of thing that needs a picture...
GeologistPositive@reddit
I've been in the same situation. Bought a car a week prior to being rear ended. It wasn't severe, and hardly left a mark. I was angry about it, but decided it wasn't damaged enough to warrant the hassle of dealing with insurance and being without my car for a few days to a week. In the end, it's all up to you. I'm 99% sure you won't be at fault, so you can deal with their insurance right away and get it taken care of. In my case, I got rear ended two more times in that car. The 2nd time cracked the bumper so I had it fixed. The 3rd time shattered the bumper and wrinkled the trunk lid, so I definitely had that fixed.
saumyadabhi@reddit (OP)
Thank you for sharing the information!
shunsh1ne@reddit
Sell the car, buy one you don’t mind scratching up.