At Fault Collision: Insurance Q

I would go thru the insurance. No use paying more then you have to. Maybe the insurance will be kind to you since it is your first. Of course, it may not matter (if you pay your own or not) since they are paying on the other vehicle any ways. I would also go with the more complete work estimate. Better to replace parts like fenders instead of just fixing the dents. Better to have it fixed correctly the first time. If you don't know a good reliable place, just ask around and see who people trust. Of course, just my opinion. :-)

That's very short-sighted.

She'll end up paying much, much more down the line thanks to her claim record.

Bad idea.

They don't have to pay on the other vehicle. The responsible party may pay the entire thing out of her own pocket.

Nothing says it MUST go through an insurance company.

And she didn't mention another vehicle, anyway.

Yeah she did "Had a fenderbender last night, hit car in front. :("

"Matthew Rebbert" wrote

since they are

responsible party may

The OP's insurance company may require reporting of every accident s/he has. Such a requirement happens to be very common.

To the OP: Call your insurance company now and ask. It's important that you don't end up committing fraud here.

Do you have any violations on record in last three years? If so, try to avoid the insurance company. Try hard. And even if not, it's probably a good idea. But do note the warnings of TeGGeR® and others.

This is only for your own car, there is no damage or claim from the other party (eg, a tree?) As soon as there is anything like that, and of course if there is any claim to injury, I'd say it goes back towards doing it all thru insurance.

And that's assuming you have a clean record, which given your question, I guess is true.

Also, if your car is on lease, you'd probably have to go for the full repair. And on a 2004 TSX, I'd say you'd want to, anyway.

Good luck, ain't nothing new here, keep kewl, J.