# Fender Bender- what is my best option? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 14, 2009, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fender-bender-what-is-my-best-option/513727 "2009-10-14T00:54:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bootis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@Bootis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootis)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fender-bender-what-is-my-best-option/513727/1 "2009-10-14T00:54:12Z")
I recently rear ended a car, which happened due to my brake lines popping and having no brakes. pretty minor, no cops, and he got my insurance info and phone number. He just called and said the estimate was for 700$. I have no prior accidents, and I’m wondering if it will be cheaper for me to pay the 700 out of pocket, which he’s giving me option to do, or let insurance handle it- will having the mechanic’s verification that my brakes broke be any use to me? ---
**Author:** ![Translucent\_Daydream](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/translucent_daydream/32/16170_2.png) [@Translucent\_Daydream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Translucent_Daydream)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fender-bender-what-is-my-best-option/513727/2 "2009-10-14T00:59:48Z")
Generally no. What I would do is get a copy of the estimate from the body shop and if you are going that route, pay the body shop directly. Just because your brake lines popped isn’t going to make a difference to the insurance company, a claim against you is a claim against you and you should expect your rates to go up for it. Now if they are going to go up 700 bucks over the course of three years that would be up for debate. If your car needs some fixing too and you have full coverage, you might want to go ahead and get it fixed. ---
**Author:** ![Bootis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@Bootis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootis)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fender-bender-what-is-my-best-option/513727/3 "2009-10-14T01:10:00Z")
I’m thinking ill have the insurance cover it anyway, but I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do next ---
**Author:** ![Driver8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5a626/32.png) [@Driver8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Driver8)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fender-bender-what-is-my-best-option/513727/4 "2009-10-14T01:12:15Z")
What is your deductible? Often it will be something like $500, making the decision to pay out of pocket look much better. If you do pay out of pocket, make sure there is a paper trail recording it. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fender-bender-what-is-my-best-option/513727/5 "2009-10-14T01:13:06Z")
Was there a police report? ---
**Author:** ![Bootis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@Bootis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootis)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fender-bender-what-is-my-best-option/513727/6 "2009-10-14T01:27:41Z")
No cops… I guess my deductible will be the deciding factor, but it seems my insurance company wants that to be a secret. Now I’m thinking ill just pay it, I probably have a high deductible anyway, I went with the cheapest coverage. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fender-bender-what-is-my-best-option/513727/7 "2009-10-14T01:41:47Z")
full written settlement agreement and release of liability ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fender-bender-what-is-my-best-option/513727/8 "2009-10-14T01:45:03Z")
> [@Bootis](#): > > No cops.. I guess my deductible will be the deciding factor, but it seems my insurance company wants that to be a secret. Now I’m thinking ill just pay it, I probably have a high deductible anyway, I went with the cheapest coverage. How can you not know the amount of your deductible? It’s written on the policy, and you get a new copy of the policy every time you renew. BTW, check the laws in your state. You may be required to file a report with the DMV if the damages exceed a threshold amount. ---
**Author:** ![Baracus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/2bfe46/32.png) [@Baracus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baracus)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fender-bender-what-is-my-best-option/513727/9 "2009-10-14T01:50:07Z")
> [@Bootis](#): > > No cops.. I guess my deductible will be the deciding factor, but it seems my insurance company wants that to be a secret. Now I’m thinking ill just pay it, I probably have a high deductible anyway, I went with the cheapest coverage. Perhaps I am reading things wrong, but there seems to be an implication that your deductible has something to do with getting his car repaired. It doesn’t. It only applies to getting your car repaired, if you even have collision coverage. ---
**Author:** ![Bootis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@Bootis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootis)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fender-bender-what-is-my-best-option/513727/10 "2009-10-14T01:50:44Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > How can you not know the amount of your deductible? It’s written on the policy, and you get a new copy of the policy every time you renew. > > BTW, check the laws in your state. You may be required to file a report with the DMV if the damages exceed a threshold amount. I have a fairly new policy, I did it all paperless, and when I logn and look at my policy documents, under the deductible column, nothing is written at all. ---
**Author:** ![Bootis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@Bootis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootis)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fender-bender-what-is-my-best-option/513727/11 "2009-10-14T01:54:42Z")
> [@Baracus](#): > > Perhaps I am reading things wrong, but there seems to be an implication that your deductible has something to do with getting his car repaired. It doesn’t. It only applies to getting your car repaired, if you even have collision coverage. Oh ok, I really don’t know anything about insurance, I’ve never filed a claim or had one against me. My car is undamaged, his car has a nick in the fender. So I have to call him tomorrow to let him know what I’m going to do. If I tell him I’m not paying out of pocket, what happens next? Do I do anything? Do I still have to pay something? He has my insurance info.. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fender-bender-what-is-my-best-option/513727/12 "2009-10-14T01:55:04Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > How can you not know the amount of your deductible? It’s written on the policy, and you get a new copy of the policy every time you renew. Hell, mine is on the card in my wallet. ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fender-bender-what-is-my-best-option/513727/13 "2009-10-14T03:48:49Z")
There is almost never a deductable for liability coverage as this would defeat the purpose of mandatory liability coverage. And usually the way you handle it is you give the other guy your insurance information, he calls them and the insurance company tells him what to do from there. They might call you to give a statement, but otherwise that’s it. ---
**Author:** ![Anachronism](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@Anachronism](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anachronism)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fender-bender-what-is-my-best-option/513727/14 "2009-10-14T12:00:32Z")
> [@Bootis](#): > > I have a fairly new policy, I did it all paperless, and when I logn and look at my policy documents, under the deductible column, nothing is written at all. Do you only have liability coverage? As already mentioned, there is rarely a deductible for damage to another persons property/vehicle. If you do not have collision (coverage for damage to your own vehicle that is your fault) then you will not have any deductible listed. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fender-bender-what-is-my-best-option/513727/15 "2009-10-14T13:12:49Z")
> [@GreasyJack](#): > > There is almost never a deductable for liability coverage as this would defeat the purpose of mandatory liability coverage. :looks in wallet: I stand corrected. My card shows deductibles for collision and comprehensive, but not liability. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fender-bender-what-is-my-best-option/513727/16 "2009-10-14T14:00:17Z")
> [@Translucent\_Daydream](#): > > pay the body shop directly. Could you share your reasoning here? Back when I drove junkers, I was hit a couple of times. I would get a legitimate estimate or three. I would get the cash, which I would pocket. Everyone ended up happy. ---
**Author:** ![Anachronism](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@Anachronism](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anachronism)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fender-bender-what-is-my-best-option/513727/17 "2009-10-14T14:18:55Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Could you share your reasoning here? Back when I drove junkers, I was hit a couple of times. I would get a legitimate estimate or three. I would get the cash, which I would pocket. Everyone ended up happy. I assume the concern is the other driver will take the cash and file an insurance claim anyway, not everyone is honest. At the very least I would give them a check and make a note on it that it is for accident damage. Disclaimer - I am not a lawyer, or any kind of insurance expert ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fender-bender-what-is-my-best-option/513727/18 "2009-10-14T14:46:47Z")
You don’t owe him the repair, you owe him the COST of the repair. People cash-settle with insurance companies all the time. Make sure you get a copy of the estimate and keep it along with a copy of your check. That way if he turns around and tries to file a claim with your insurer you can demonstrate that he’s already been paid. Property damage liability coverage is not subject to you paying a deductible. Check with your insurance company to see if there is an “Accident surcharge threshold” and how much it is. The company I work for won’t assess a surcharge if property damage is less than $1,000. An initial estimate may be $700. Once the repairs begin it is entirely possible (and legitimate) for that estimate to increase as hidden damage is found. The trouble with handling this accident on your own is that you are not experienced enough to know when you’re getting screwed by the shop or the car owner. ---
**Author:** ![Bootis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@Bootis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootis)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fender-bender-what-is-my-best-option/513727/19 "2009-10-14T16:43:02Z")
> [@Inigo\_Montoya](#): > > An initial estimate may be $700. Once the repairs begin it is entirely possible (and legitimate) for that estimate to increase as hidden damage is found. The trouble with handling this accident on your own is that you are not experienced enough to know when you’re getting screwed by the shop or the car owner. Agreed- and since there is no deductible, I decided on letting the insurance take care of it. ---
**Author:** ![zwede](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ac91a4/32.png) [@zwede](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zwede)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fender-bender-what-is-my-best-option/513727/20 "2009-10-15T16:33:57Z")
As Inigo mentioned above: Common insurance co practice is to label liability claims as major and minor where the cutoff is $1000. Many will also NOT raise rates if you only have 1 minor liability claim. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fender-bender-what-is-my-best-option/513727.md?page=2)