Auto Insurance Claims: Neigbor bumper gets damaged, claims advice, claim help

Question
I went to go to work one morning and my battery was dead. I text people I know and asked if anyone had battery cables.. to no avail. While I was outside looking at my car my neigbor came out and offered to push our car with her vehicle so we could pop the clutch. She was driving her car and my boyfriend was driving ours. When the clutch popped her front bumper got a crack in it. She of course became upset and when I got home from work that day I offered to give her 80 dollars towards the damage. Wich she at the time accepted and actually thanked me and told me I didnt need to do that cause it was an accident. WEll when I took her the 80 she by than had decided that I should have given her more and because I didnt she was going to go and get an estimate on her bumper and expect me to pay the whole thing...the whole thing was her idea and she told us she was nervous about it because her car was smaller than ours but still wanted to help, and I gave her money even though her bumper in no way shape or form needs to be replaced or anything...I gave her the money trying to make things right and because I felt bad because she was trying to help me get to work. So what is my and my boyfriends liability on this issue? can she sue us to replace her entire bumper?

Answer
Hello Carrie,

I'm not completely clear on the details.  You state,"When the clutch popped her front bumper got a crack in it."  How did that happen?  Did she lose control of her car?  Did she rear-end you?  Or did your boyfriend suddenly slam on the breaks?  Or did your car suddenly stop?

The mechanics of the accident are important in determining who is at fault.  If either of you were to report it to your insurance company, they would require to know the exact details in order to establish fault.

Your neighbor can choose to report her damage under her collision policy - if she has one - or under your property damage liability coverage.  In either case, the insurance company would need to sort out the details to determine fault in the accident. If they decide she was at fault, she could only receive payment under her own collision and not your property damage.  If they decide you are at fault (and each insurance company could come to a different conclusion), then your property damage coverage would be on the hook.

Depending on what state you live in, each of you could also be found partially responsible, and a settlement could be based on the degree of fault.

If you are personally assuming fault, you can provide her with your insurance information for her to file under your property damage.  Beware, though, this could possibly increase your rates when your policy renews.

I can tell you that it is highly unlikely that any bumper can be repaired for $80.  Depending on the extent of damage, and whether or not it needs to be repaired or replaced, you could be looking at anywhere from $200 to $500, possibly more depending on the type of car.

Hopes this helps.

Jane Pytel
http://SolutionsForYourInsuranceClaim.com