Did I take advantage of this situation?

[ohiosmith]

> Woman gouges a six inch section of paint off my truck bumper trying to squeeze by me to get into a turning lane.

> She wants to settle on the spot and not run it through her insurance.

> No way. I get her ID and information but agree to get a quote and give her an opportunity to pay me directly for the necessary repairs.

> I make arrangements to get a quote from a local bumper repair shop.

> She doesn't return three calls.

> Four days later her insurance carrier calls me to let me know that she has reported the accident. I explain that I agreed to give her the chance to pay me directly but am willing to work through her insurance if that is what she now wants. The claims adjuster asks that I take my truck to their designated body shop. I agree as it is operated by a reputable dealer.

> The woman that hit me calls the following day. Says that she still wants to settle directly with me. I tell her that I have scheduled a time to take my vehicle to the insurance company's body shop for an estimate and will not run around getting multiple quotes for her. Tell her if she wants to pay me the amount of the estimate fine. If not I will let her insurer deal with it. She agrees. This was a week ago.

> The repair estimate is $350.00.

> I leave her several messages. No call back.

> Leave her a message yesterday that if I do not have her check in my hand by this week's end I will advise her adjuster that she is unwilling to settle and leaves me with no choice but to make a claim on her insurance.

> She leaves me a message today that the check is in the mail.

I'm fairly certain that I can get the damage repaired for less than the estimate I was provided.

Should I have gotten additional quotes?

Would you have?

[MrCoffee]

1. No extra quotes...if that's the insurance company's estimate,

you're maxing out what they'll pay. but, at the same time, if you can still find a lower price for the repairs, go for it and pocket the difference, no matter who pays.

[ohiosmith]

4. Actually I passed on to her a break on the cost of a rental. The insurance

company's rental car provider said they would give me a 50% discount if I used them. A savings of $50.00.

[MrCoffee]

5. If you don't have the check by Saturday, call the insurance company

Don't let her run you around, just go straight to the insurance company and file the claim.

[Ohio Joe]

2. No, your fine

She just gave you the run around and did not go one bit out of her way to make her mistake right.

[Nicole]

3. No, she did

by ignoring your phone calls.

I would go with their designated body shop & let her deal with those phone calls.

[idgiehkt]

6. sounds like she's given you the runaround a few times.

Your time is important. Pocket the difference.

[HEyHEY]

7. If it's cheaper send her a cheque for the difference

[ohiosmith]

8. Spoken like a true Canadian.

[Oeditpus Rex]

9. Screw her

Can't drive, can't negotiate fairly — christ, she could be Secretary of State. :scared:

[ohiosmith]

10. :

:rofl: