car got hit... by a roommate...
 

So yeah. Was moving the other day and my roommate made a turn too short and hit my car with the uhal truck WHILE MY CAR WAS PARKED. Now this is my first time ever getting into a car accident. What should I do? My dad told me to take it to the dealership. Now how does this work? Do I just go to the dealership and ask for an estimate? and tell my friend to give me the estimate?

***Forgotto mention this earlier but HE DOES NOT HAVE AN INSURANCE. He told me to get an estimate. Anyone ever had to deal with this?
***

Here are some pix.
He hit the edge of the bumper and sliced through the headlight and also hit the fender as well. I figure its going cost a lot. Anyone know the how much it might cost?


http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/...6/IMG_0081.jpg
http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/...6/IMG_0079.jpg
http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/...6/IMG_0078.jpg

that sucks man, you need to file a claim with your/his insurance companies.

that is going to be a few thousand to fix at least.

Sorry dude! That really sucks. Are you planning on filing a claim with either your insurance company or your roommates? If you are, call the insurance company and they'll tell you where to go or they will send someone to estimate your car. My Z got rear ended a couple of weeks ago and I filed a claim against the driver that hit me. He had State Farm and they told me where to go to get an estimate. Unfortunately, I went to a Nissan dealership body shop that works with State Farm and they did a crappy job on the repair and paint. I've refused to take possession twice now. I hope you find a shop that does decent work.. Learn from my mistake, do your homework. Goodluck!

Since you are in Cali, a person who backs into you is always at fault. However, the thing that will complicate this a lot is the fact that the U-haul truck is not going to be under his normal insurance plan. Therefore, I doubt his insurance company will be covering anything. You can go through your insurance and will likely loose your deductible, but will not experience an increase in your rates as it was not your fault.

By the way, the dealer is not always the best place to get repair work like this done. Do some research to find the best body shops in your area as they often work quicker and provide a higher quality of service and body work.

yea i would not take your car to a nissan dealer. find a good (the best) shop in your area.

yeah dont go to a dealer. Find a good shop. Make your room mate pay for it all and more.

yep, first thing is get your room mate's insurance card and talk to your insurance guy to file a claim. the insurance agents will talk it over and file a claim. their insurance might call you to discuss but probably not since you weren't even in the car. (ive been hit by a UPS truck while my dd was parked at the office..car had 650miles on the odo)

find a good bodyshop (including talking to your dealer if they deal with bodywork or outsource) and get the work going. i DONT recommend going to the bodyshop your roommate's insurance recommends.

just pay the dedictible for now as your roommate's insurance will reimburse you later with a check. good luck.

it's a huge emotional process for first timers but for someone like me that's dealt with accidents and claims (none of which were my fault) it's like going to the docs' office. no biggie. relax and good luck.

Contact your insurance and tell them the story. They will then contact his insurance and the two insurance companies will work it out. You usually do not need to do anything except tell your story.

Mr. Kenchan is right when he says to get all your roomate's information (DL number, insurance, etc.)

Like others have suggested i would put in an insurance claim against his insurance followed by a suplimental claim on the depreciation on the car now that it has been in an accident. There is no way your roomate will be able to comp you for both.

insurance claim and get a new room mate that can drive

Oh forgot to mention...
He does not have an insurance.
He told me to get an estimate.
I am meeting up with the estimator right now.
Did anyone ever done this?

Holy smokes. You are not going to fare well, I am afraid.

uh oh... hope he or his mommy and daddy has cash.

that sucks! Really, no insurance! what a douche bag. If you plan on keeping him as a friend and he cannot pay the few grand to fix that, file it under your insurance and get it fixed. If you dont plan on keeping him as a friend or roommate, and he doesnt want to pay, take him to small claims court. Might help to record your conversation without his knowledge with your phone or something, just in case, ya know.

You're looking at about $3500-$5000 depending on hidden damages and which bodyshop does the work. Definately file an insurance claim! Hope you have uninsured/underinsured coverage. Good luck with the repairs.

Dont you have to show proof of insurance to get a uhaul??? I know here in the sunshine state you cant even have a license or registered vehicle without proof.

yah, i think you do... but since they appear to be in college their mom and dad could sign for the truck and let their kids crash them....

Does Uhaul have insurance on the truck for the driver?

call it in to your insurance and let them deal with him, and get a police report because its probably gonna get messy

What a terrible spot to hit someone at, now you need to get three things fixed.

hey elvis how's that wheel cookin' in the kitchen? :D

I've used Fix Auto many times and was pleased with their work. Top notch quality repair with lifetime warranty.

Unfortunately, they know me by first name basis now since I've been there many times. Everyone was sad when they declared my red Nismo totaled.

So, how much did the estimator estimate??

Wait are you telling me if I go out to my car right now and it's bent out of shape, I can't call my insurance company and tell them someone did a hit & run and please give me monies?

same thing happened to my friend about 10 years ago.

he claimed as a "hit and run" and got his roommate to pay the deductible, pay for his rental, do his laundry for the rest of their 7 years in college and detail his car once a month for as long as they were friends...which they still are and yes his x-roommate still details my friend's car once a month.

i think he had AAA and it wasn't a big deal with them as it seems that it was a common occurrence around UCLA.

:iagree:

How does he not have insurance?

That's called insurance fraud. Posting about it online is probably not the smartest thing to do.

Seriously, when you rent a UHaul, how could you NOT spend the extra $30 for insurance. Stuff like this happens when you use something unfamiliar.

Heck, when I came back to Japan (not driving for nearly a year), I felt like 16 again and forgot how to drive.

Oh wow! He doesn't have insurance?? That blows! I surely hope either he or his parents have the money to take care of this, because it's not going to be cheap.

Sorry this happened to your ride. :(

Thanks guys for all the supports!
Now as for the uhal, we did get the insurance and we got the cheapest. Which only covers uhal itself and nothing else. The reason why we got the cheapest insurance is because our moving location was less than half a mile away. Never thought something like this can happen.
Also the estimate for the repair came around $4500.00.
So am I supposed to let my roommate pay for the deductibles?

Ugh...isn't that still insurance fraud if you're doing the "hit & run" excuse? I thought he would admit to fault?

*sigh* You/your friend are driving a large vehicle where you are unfamiliar of its dimensions and viewpoints. Next time, even if it's 2 blocks away, get full coverage.

don't lie
 

Just tell the truth to your insurance. Your out the deductible but the car will get repaired. As for your friend, he should be helping out. But, what the Hell was your Z in the same state when your friend was backing the U haul?

Best thing would be to have your roommate pay for the damages out of pocket. Chances are, he will have to reimburse your insurance company anyway.

What typically happens when someone gets hit by someone without insurance is your insurance will pay (assuming you have full coverage) but you will pay your deductable. Your insurance company will then go after the uninsured driver to recoupe thier loss. If he doesn't pay they may go to the state and possibly have his drivers license revoked. It just depends on the state. It is something that will follow him around until he settles up with the insurance company. Again, I'm sure this varies by state.

For sure check with your insurance company and tell the truth about what happened. Ask about what will happen to your roommate if they pay your claim. Then you can decide on how to proceed.

Best of luck.

Your insurance will cover it; your roomie should offer to pay the deductable or at least pick up the beer tab for the next year.

man we sound like jock straps or something now... the hell... :ugh2:

the roommate is a girl too, i thinks.... or he thinks she is or

I would make the dealer the last choice.........

if your room mate has no insurance the way i see it hear are your choices

1. Room mate pays for all repairs out of pocket
2. If not then you will have to file uninsured/underinsured claim and he needs to
pay the deductible from your policy. And it still could go on your record depending on how the adjuster writes the claim up. If he can't afford the 4500
make a deal with him than he pays your premiums each month until he reaches the 4500.

Sorry about the accident. It seems like over the last 6 months the 370 has been
a magnet for fender benders. I'm going through one now.

I still don't understand why your roommate was operating a motor vehicle without insurance...:confused: