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Auto Insurance Claims/To be nice or not to be nice?

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Expert: - 6/5/2007


Question
Our driver took our company vehicle to a car wash. The car wash employee damaged the side of our service truck that has cabinets. The car wash owner would like to keep the insurance company out of it and pay for all the expenses. I want to be nice and work it out, but the cost may exceed his "guesstimate" of repairs. I, in my gut, feel like we still need to report it to our insurance company... because you NEVER know. Should I trust the car wash owner and let him pay...or go with my gut feeling?  

Answer
Hi Davina,

It is good to cooperate and let the party at fault solve the repairs without reporting it to his insurance, BUT ONLY IF THE FULL REPAIRS ARE MADE OR PAID FOR.

Thus, I would get a professional opinion as to the damage, making sure that there is not any hidden or structural damage, and then give the estimate to the car wash owner and let him do with it as he wishes.

If he does have a body shop that will give him a "price" and the repairs are not too significant, then by all means let him do it that way.

But you do not have to take one dent less than full repairs.  Otherwise, if he is just stalling, go ahead and report it to your insurance company.

Best wishes,

Dr. Settlement, J.D. (Juris Doctor)
www.SettlementCentral.Com

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27 years of front line plaintiff`s trial lawyer experience in PERSONAL INJURY INSURANCE CLAIMS. Along with other attorneys and insurance adjusters, we have created a website to help injured people settle their own personal injury claims. With the help from feedback from hundreds of satisfied members, www.settlementcentral.com has become THE AUTHORITY for Internet personal injury insurance claim settlements. I am humbled and honored if people can benefit from my experience and current volunteer work in helping injured people. I hope I can explain things in a manner that is useful for the questioner. If not, do not hesitate to e-mail me and I will take a second shot at it! Best Wishes for your physical and financial recovery.

Experience



Life Experience: 27 years of front line plaintiff's trial lawyer experience

Organizations:
American Trial Lawyers Association
Washington State Trial Lawyers Association

Publications: (Click on Title to Read)
Statute of Limitations
Vehicle Accident
Accident--Adjuster
Demand Letters
Policy Limits

Education/Credentials: J.D. (Juris Doctor) 1977

Awards and Honors: I am humbled and honored everytime I am selected to help injured people. And when people give feedback that they have benefited from my experience and current volunteer efforts, then that is a double honor and award for me.
 

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