Help! Girlfriend's Mom just hit the side of my car. Couple quick questions... :-(
03-26-2005, 07:20 AM
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Help! Girlfriend's Mom just hit the side of my car. Couple quick questions... :-(
<center><img src="http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/b/n/bnl107/Accident.jpg"></center><p>
So, my girlfriend's Mom accidentally hit the side of my car when she was pulling out of the driveway this morning. No big deal, accidents happen. It sucks (only had the car for a month now), but it could have been worse. She offered to pay for the repairs out of pocket, rather than reporting it to her insurance company. Need some help/advice though:
(1) First off, is there any reason why it would be better to just go through the insurance company? I guess this isn't the first time this has happened; the family has had a few minor fender benders, and they don't want to become "high risk". I don't mind just having them pay, but are there any reasons why I really wouldn't want to go that route? (I should add that I know they are definitely good for the money, that is not a concern).
(2) Secondly, should I take my car to the dealership for repairs? Does the fact that it is Nogaro Blue limit my choices of repair shops? Of course, I want it to be a perfect repair. Is the dealership usually the best bet, or are independent shops better?
(3) Thirdly, how much do you guys think the repairs will be? My girlfriend's mom said they will just pay for it as long as its under $4000. Otherwise they would just call the insurance co. I can't imagine it being more than that, but I'm not an expert by any stretch. Seems to only be the driver's side door; front fender has a deep scratch but no dent, interior of door seems fine.
(4) Finally, there are a few light scratches on the hood (too deep to just be buffed, though) I've been wanting to repair. The dealership quoted me at $500 for it by itself. If I'm having other body work done, how much extra should I expect to pay if I have them fix the hood, too? Anything else I should have them do? How much are the M3 lips?
TIA guys. Hopefully I'll be back on next weekend with some good repair pics ;-)
So, my girlfriend's Mom accidentally hit the side of my car when she was pulling out of the driveway this morning. No big deal, accidents happen. It sucks (only had the car for a month now), but it could have been worse. She offered to pay for the repairs out of pocket, rather than reporting it to her insurance company. Need some help/advice though:
(1) First off, is there any reason why it would be better to just go through the insurance company? I guess this isn't the first time this has happened; the family has had a few minor fender benders, and they don't want to become "high risk". I don't mind just having them pay, but are there any reasons why I really wouldn't want to go that route? (I should add that I know they are definitely good for the money, that is not a concern).
(2) Secondly, should I take my car to the dealership for repairs? Does the fact that it is Nogaro Blue limit my choices of repair shops? Of course, I want it to be a perfect repair. Is the dealership usually the best bet, or are independent shops better?
(3) Thirdly, how much do you guys think the repairs will be? My girlfriend's mom said they will just pay for it as long as its under $4000. Otherwise they would just call the insurance co. I can't imagine it being more than that, but I'm not an expert by any stretch. Seems to only be the driver's side door; front fender has a deep scratch but no dent, interior of door seems fine.
(4) Finally, there are a few light scratches on the hood (too deep to just be buffed, though) I've been wanting to repair. The dealership quoted me at $500 for it by itself. If I'm having other body work done, how much extra should I expect to pay if I have them fix the hood, too? Anything else I should have them do? How much are the M3 lips?
TIA guys. Hopefully I'll be back on next weekend with some good repair pics ;-)
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03-26-2005, 07:34 AM
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Answers to your questions:
(1) First off, is there any reason why it would be better to just go through the insurance company?
A potential reason to go through an insurance company is that they might provide a lifetime warranty on repairs even though the shop doesn't. You have to check with your company. They might give you hassles to try and send it to one of their preferred shops. Also there are no family/social discomfort issues having the insurance company write you a cheque, this could be stressful between you and the GF/Family. It's debatable which who is harder to get the actual money out of Insurance company or the the GF Family.
(2) Secondly, should I take my car to the dealership for repairs? Does the fact that it is Nogaro Blue limit my choices of repair shops?
A lot of dealerships unless just replacing the entire door, will send this out to a body shop to get fixed anyways. Find an independent shop to do it. It will most likely be cheaper for your GF's Mother and you will get to choose a place that makes you happy.
(3) Thirdly, how much do you guys think the repairs will be?
No idea but it should be a lot less than $4000.
(4) Finally, there are a few light scratches on the hood (too deep to just be buffed, though) I've been wanting to repair. The dealership quoted me at $500 for it by itself. If I'm having other body work done, how much extra should I expect to pay if I have them fix the hood, too? Anything else I should have them do? How much are the M3 lips?
If you want all these things done, you should definitely go with an independent shop. Also, be clear to your GF's Mom that you paid for these other things, just so there is no confusion and they don't think you are making them pay for all these others things.
A potential reason to go through an insurance company is that they might provide a lifetime warranty on repairs even though the shop doesn't. You have to check with your company. They might give you hassles to try and send it to one of their preferred shops. Also there are no family/social discomfort issues having the insurance company write you a cheque, this could be stressful between you and the GF/Family. It's debatable which who is harder to get the actual money out of Insurance company or the the GF Family.
(2) Secondly, should I take my car to the dealership for repairs? Does the fact that it is Nogaro Blue limit my choices of repair shops?
A lot of dealerships unless just replacing the entire door, will send this out to a body shop to get fixed anyways. Find an independent shop to do it. It will most likely be cheaper for your GF's Mother and you will get to choose a place that makes you happy.
(3) Thirdly, how much do you guys think the repairs will be?
No idea but it should be a lot less than $4000.
(4) Finally, there are a few light scratches on the hood (too deep to just be buffed, though) I've been wanting to repair. The dealership quoted me at $500 for it by itself. If I'm having other body work done, how much extra should I expect to pay if I have them fix the hood, too? Anything else I should have them do? How much are the M3 lips?
If you want all these things done, you should definitely go with an independent shop. Also, be clear to your GF's Mom that you paid for these other things, just so there is no confusion and they don't think you are making them pay for all these others things.
03-26-2005, 07:36 AM
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You better be sure that theres not going to be ant bad blood over them coughin up 4-6k cause that
aint gonna be cheap. if you think that may be an issue, i'd just go through insurance so that its all taken care of without tweaking any personal relationships. Did that go up on to the fender?...can't really tell from the pic.