My neighbor accidentally dented my new car by tripping and falling into it. They initially offered to pay for the damage, but after getting an estimate, the repair cost is $1700. If I file a claim with my insurance, they’ll cover the repair minus my $500 deductible, but my premium might increase even though I’m not at fault. I feel bad asking my neighbor to pay the full $1700 instead of just $500. What’s the best way to handle this? Any advice would be helpful.
If you file a claim, your insurance will likely pursue your neighbor for the full $1700 anyway. This could end up costing them more if you have rental coverage since that would be added to the total. You might also want to check your state laws regarding when insurers can raise premiums for not-at-fault claims.
You should talk to your neighbor and explain the options. They might decide to pay the $1700 out of pocket or file a claim through their own insurance. Keep in mind that if you need a rental car during repairs, that could significantly increase the overall cost. Rental fees can add hundreds of dollars, making the situation less straightforward.
Off topic, but I’m curious how the insurance company would classify this. Falling object? Live animal? It’s such a unique situation.
Nico said:
Off topic, but I’m curious how the insurance company would classify this. Falling object? Live animal? It’s such a unique situation.
It would likely be classified as a collision. Hitting a pedestrian or a pedestrian hitting a car doesn’t fall under comprehensive coverage.
Your neighbor might be able to file a claim through their own auto insurance, even if they didn’t damage your car with their vehicle. I’ve seen a case where someone fell into a parked car, and their auto policy covered the damage. It’s worth having your neighbor check with their insurance company to see if that’s an option.
Keep in mind that if you file a claim, insurance may not pay the full $1700. They’ll often negotiate lower labor and parts costs with the repair shop, so their payout might be closer to $1000–$1200. Also, filing a claim could result in the accident being recorded on your car’s Carfax, which might affect its resale value.
Have you tried a paintless dent repair shop? They’re often much cheaper and don’t require body filler or repainting.