[perezr10]

So today while I'm eating lunch at a Subway restaurant someone hits my car. I always sit by the window so I can see my car. My wife thinks I'm paranoid, but today proved me right.

I see a lady back up her SUV without looking behind her. I'm thinking "Watch where you're going, my car is behind you!" I just don't understand how people can go into reverse without looking behind them.

She proceeded to hit my passenger side front corner. Very lightly though. It appears to have only pushed in my reflector and now there's a gap between the bumper and my headlight.

My auto insurance deductible is $1,000 so I'm not sure it's worth reporting. I think this looks like a fairly easy repair?

Does anyone know if it'll be difficult to get rid of that gap by the headlight? I'm kinda worried the headlight was pushed in somehow.

[Tommy_hf]

As the SUV lady hit your car, isn't she paying for the damage?

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by Tommy_hf

As the SUV lady hit your car, isn't she paying for the damage?

That's not how insurance works here. Your own insurance covers the damages less the deductible. If the other person is insured you may be able to recover the deductible from their insurance carrier. If the other person is not insured you're on your own to sue to recover it.

[perezr10]

I'm now thinking about asking for cash in return for not reporting the accident. Then I can go buy an M Sport bumper.

[goj]

The lady is at fault. Get her insurance and file a claim

[BMW11]

did the lady in the suv wait around for you to come out or did you have to chase her down and confront her did it appear like she was gonna just leave? usually people that "dont look" while backing up are scatter-brains and are sneaky and can't be trusted LOL

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by Tommy_hf

As the SUV lady hit your car, isn't she paying for the damage?

Originally Posted by Billfitz

That's not how insurance works here. Your own insurance covers the damages less the deductible. If the other person is insured you may be able to recover the deductible from their insurance carrier. If the other person is not insured you're on your own to sue to recover it.

Actually that's exactly how it works here. There's no requirement that the "injured" party file through their insurance company. The offending party and/or their insurance company is 100% responsible for paying for the repair of the damage. Somewhere along the way lazy Americans got the notion it was easier to just go through their own insurance company and let their company subrogate the claim. That practice is a relatively new development in the insurance industry. I suppose it grew in "popularity" because of so many uninsured drivers these days in the U.S.

[CalCarNut]

Bumper covers are 500-600..plus paint..reflector if its broken. I'm guessing its at least 1000. Hopefully the headlight is 100% ok. Those things are like $1300 EACH.......

[Wires]

Headlight looks like it's pushed down...

[perezr10]

Originally Posted by BMW11

did the lady in the suv wait around for you to come out or did you have to chase her down and confront her did it appear like she was gonna just leave? usually people that "dont look" while backing up are scatter-brains and are sneaky and can't be trusted LOL

Well, cuz I was sitting by the window next to the door I immediately went out before she had a chance to leave. There was absolutely no damage to her vehicle so she could have left if she had wanted to.

It pays to sit where you can see your car at a restaurant if you have the option.

[perezr10]

Thanks everyone. I'm new to Louisiana and didn't realize that her insurance would pay for everything so I just filed a claim with her insurance company. After I looked at the damage better when I got home from work I could see that my headlight is messed up. It's pointing down at the ground.

I grew up in Michigan where everyone goes through their own insurance company regardless of who is at fault.

[BMW11]

any damage is a pain it doesn't look too bad good luck getting it fixed. things like this demonstrates how its important to have a dash cam these days with the stuff that goes on around you I always make sure the dash cam is working you never know what is gonna happen next

[perezr10]

Well, her insurance just cut me a check for $1,812.

$900 for a new refurbished headlight, $200 for paint and other materials. The rest is labor.

I'm now thinking if I can repair my headlight without replacing it that I can get an M-sport bumper. They totalled the headlight because there was one broken tab. Otherwise, the headlight looks completely undamaged. It works fine other than pointing down towards the ground.

[Reauxtide]

She hit you! The first place my car would be is at the dealership body shop. Your car had an undamaged OEM bumper and headlight that was aimed correctly when you pulled into the parking lot. When she hit you, her insurance is obligated to make it that way again. You have the right, by LA law, to request OEM parts and have the work done at any body shop of your choice.

If you chose to negotiate her cutting you a several $K check instead of filing with her insurance that would be one thing. It's been filed with insurance though, go ahead and get it fixed correctly

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

. Somewhere along the way lazy Americans got the notion it was easier to just go through their own insurance company and let their company subrogate the claim.

Lazy? Hardly. Anywho, time was everything went through the courts, causing delays and increased costs. 'No-fault' was instituted, so that you got your car fixed right off by your own insurance, and let the legal stuff happen at its own pace without you being without a car in the meantime.