High school parking lot fender bender - insurance question
yesterday, another student clipped my daughter's car in the parking lot.
Both cars faced forward to pull straight out of spots
Other driver was parked next to her, on the driver side
As other driver pulled out, she turned right, but cut it too hard and clipped the front driver side
My daughter came out a few minutes after, but other driver still there and said what happened - no doubt about who was at fault as our car was legally parked at the time - other driver and her father agree with this.
Damage seems to be mostly cosmetic to front bumper. Scrape, and knocked of a piece of front spoiler that was part of bumper. No dents or damage to lights, but bumper got pulled out of attachments, and hangs down a little bit. I pulled back up so it's almost flush again, but it will have to be re-attached on that side by someone more skilled than me.
I talked to other dad last night - nice guy, concedes that his daughter was at fault and wants to make it right. She was driving on older car, and no damage at all to hers - just a smalll scrape on the side, but he says barely noticeable so he's leaving it as-is.
Both of us have USAA.
He mentioned trying to get it fixed without a claim, which I think will end up costing him more.
Questions:
Should I tell USAA now, knowing that he may come back and say he wants to pay out of pocket?
I don't want to take it all over for estimates, and I definitely don't want it fixed by a fly-by-night place that does all repairs for $195. I want it to be a certified shop...
I don't know what his deductible is, but my guess is they'll come back and say I need a new bumper b/c of some BS reason, and it will be at least $1000.
I'm writing from a MAC, I have no pictures of drivers (shun!), and I drank heavily last night...
thx
24 Replies
6mo
I submitted info through usaa web site, indicated that it's not my claim b/c both parties agree other driver was at fault.
He was going to talk to USAA as well, so we'll see what happens next.
I believe his claim will cover my rental as I have rental insurance, and should cover all repair costs and any deductible for me.
thx to all for input, back to drinking heavily...
(In response to this post by Dan1993)
2
2hhoop3
6mo
with contemporaneous notes and pictures. Hold them in file as back up and work with the other dad to do it off book. If it can be worked out that way everyone will be better off. If not, the documentation is your back up for subsequent actions. If you have a designated rep/agent you have used they could provide input as well.
(In response to this post by Dan1993)
6mo
going up.
If you have some proof of who's at fault, then I'd have the 2 of you agree on a reputable shop, he pays everything and USAA never needs to know.
Do you at least have a police report assigning fault?
(In response to this post by Dan1993)
J
jdkhokie
6mo
do to you. :)
(In response to this post by Dan1993)
6mo
you go that route. Also, you are entitled to a rental vehicle while your car is being repaired, by statute. Does the dad agree with that, too?
(In response to this post by Dan1993)
6mo
I don't know much about repair, but it seems like it could be done without replacing the bumper - just sand out the scrape, repaint, and re-attach.
I do have rental coverage through both my policy and (hopefully) his, as I've had to use that before.
thx
(In response to this post by RhinoVT)
6mo
(In response to this post by Dan1993)
6mo
estimate, wouldn't a repair shop want to know about the accident and who's insured by whomever?
(In response to this post by Stork)
6mo
The shop may ask insurance info, which is fine, but I’d make it clear, no claim for now.
USAA is one of those companies that is very aggressive going against responsible parties. I’d just be careful, especially since other guy has them too. Once contacted, they may get other party involved which may cause problems for the other father.
(In response to this post by PhotoHokieNC)
6mo
him. If he doesn't, contact insurance.
(In response to this post by Stork)
M
MikeVT85
6mo
McDonald's and was heading for the drive-thru when a Mercedes Benz backed out of a parking spot and clipped the rear side of my Honda Accord. The guy that backed into me had brought his young daughter (about 8 years old) there for a McDonald's treat. Considering this I was very low-key with him. He was very gracious, accepting guilt, and happened to be an attorney. He asked to keep the insurance companies out of it and offerred to pay for the repairs by whoever I chose. He worked up the guilt/release legal paperwork himself and it was all taken care of. Not that this is that helpful to you, but it brought something to mind I had completely forgotten about. Good Luck!
** Edited by MikeVT85 at 1/14/2026, 9:40:03 AM
(In response to this post by Dan1993)
6mo
(In response to this post by MikeVT85)
M
MikeVT85
6mo
Though she was very mature for her age
(In response to this post by PhotoHokieNC)
6mo
1) get an estimate. Grease a palm or two to make it hurt.
2) send the guy the estimate and get cash.
3) fix it yourself on the cheap.
4) use the extra money to buy a real computer.
(In response to this post by Dan1993)
6mo
tough news for the other family, but if it's as minor as you say, USAA might recommend a qualified, lower cost repair shop. If your daughter's vehicle value of material importance to you, it has now been devalued a bit, and what doesn't get fixed now becomes a reduced trade-in figure later on. Sounds like you can work with the other family to get the least punitive outcome for you both.
(In response to this post by Dan1993)
6mo
it looks great and runs well. I don't really care about cars, so (knock on wood) I'll keep this one as long as possible.
It's worth far more to me than the USAA appraised value. I wouldn't be able to replace with comparable at that price...
(In response to this post by PhotoHokieNC)
6mo
but have you looked over YouTube videos on how to fix the spoiler damage? I did when somebody in a pickup with a trailer hitch backed in my Accord and poked a hole in what sounds like the same area of your Camry. I went the whole bondo, sanding, sanding, sanding, sanding, and taping and spray painting and sanding, sanding, sanding, and painting until it looked better. Think of the fun times you and your daughter can have in your garage for the next 18 weekends!!!
(In response to this post by Dan1993)
E
EDGEMAN
6mo
I probably would have purchased a new bumper cover and just prepped and painted it to call it a day. More money, but a much easier and quicker repair.
(In response to this post by PhotoHokieNC)
