Door was dinged; now what happens?

[Eos]

We stopped at Crown Point to take some photos and parked in a standard striped spot, head in. When we returned, there was a different vehicle on my left, and I noticed right away that my door had something on it. I looked closer and there was damage. We waited for the them to return, and exchanged insurance info.

I immediately called my insurance agent to file a claim. But I don't know what's next for me. I've actually never had a car damaged by someone else. It's always been me doing the damage except for that deer, and it was uninsured...

 

[tailes151]

If there's no indication that the "new" car was the one that hit your car door, and not the old car that would have needed to leave, then it's a case of word vs word and you're likely to be SOL.

The burden of proof is on the one claiming the damage. As such, you'd need to show that the 2nd car (whose insurance info you now have) caused it exclusively.

They could always state that it was pre-existing, that it was caused by the car that was parked there before you, etc...

Unfortunately, I think you're either going to be paying out of pocket or turning it in as a first-party claim. That is if it even exceeds your deductible.

 

[Squeetard]

I got a door ding. Cost me $50 cash to have a dent repair guy come out and fix it. Looks absolutely perfect.

 

[Insomniator]

You filed an insurance claim for a door ding?

 

[JulesMaximus]

I got a door ding. Cost me $50 cash to have a dent repair guy come out and fix it. Looks absolutely perfect.

Agreed. I had a few of them on my previous car and paid about $75 to have them all removed.

 

[SithSolo1]

Im surprised they didnt laugh in your face and drive off. Just pay for dent repair, no need to take an insurance hit for a non-issue like this.

 

[Eos]

I appreciate the help to let me know what options I have. After speaking to State Farm, they gave me these two:

use collision coverage, pay deductible of $250, repair happens now, and it is unlikely that I am to be found at fault once the investigation concludes.

or

determine liability, then the repair takes place (eventually) under their coverage if they are found liable.

I chose the second. And I failed to note in the first post that paint was chipped off, down to the primer. No metal is exposed. I think.

 

[boomerang]

n/m

 

[tailes151]

I appreciate the help to let me know what options I have. After speaking to State Farm, they gave me these two:

use collision coverage, pay deductible of $250, repair happens now, and it is unlikely that I am to be found at fault once the investigation concludes.

or

determine liability, then the repair takes place (eventually) under their coverage if they are found liable.

I chose the second. And I failed to note in the first post that paint was chipped off, down to the primer. No metal is exposed. I think.

Prepare to have the other party not found liable. Even if State Farm tells you they find the other person is at fault, the other party's carrier isn't going to.

 

[JEDIYoda]

I appreciate the help to let me know what options I have. After speaking to State Farm, they gave me these two:

use collision coverage, pay deductible of $250, repair happens now, and it is unlikely that I am to be found at fault once the investigation concludes.

or

determine liability, then the repair takes place (eventually) under their coverage if they are found liable.

I chose the second. And I failed to note in the first post that paint was chipped off, down to the primer. No metal is exposed. I think.

personally I think by taking the second choice your making a huge mistake and if it was me I would think you were being an ass about it! Especially if you had no conclusive proof that I had done the damage...

 

[cabri]

Unless you have proof that the other party caused the damage, you will be SOL.

Either

• physical evidence - paint chips on both vehicles match
• admittance by the other driver that they were at fault.

State Farm will not volunteer to pay out if you can be conned into filing a claim against some one else.

and more than likely a ding will be less than $250

 

[Insomniator]

You are being an ass about this and causing trouble for people with no proof.

You won't get anywhere with your claim. Dings happen, its a meeeannnn world out there, bring it to a shop and fix it or put some touch up paint on it and call it a day.

 

[Eos]

"picture removed"


It appears you do not know just how the garage works...?
Do this again and you will find out...

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Bartman39