My Camry was in a fender, hood, bumper, and headlight bender

[redpoint5]

I always consider getting hit a great gift. Was hit on my birthday once, and that's what finally got me out of the Subaru Legacy. The kid was apologetic, and I said no worries (and secretly thought this sure is my birthday).

[Xist]

Originally Posted by JSH

Glad you reconsidered and took the payout.

No, I held out until they agreed to waive the deductible.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by Xist

No, I held out until they agreed to waive the deductible.

That is a given - you were not at fault so you don't pay a deductible.

The payout is the same as what you listed earlier and a very good price for your Camry.

[Xist]

I needed it in writing.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Did you never considered trying a makeshift to overcome the need for that plug to hold the lightbulb in the assembly?

[JSH]

Originally Posted by Xist

I needed it in writing.

Of course. But in the end the offer you accepted isn't any different than what you said you rejected earlier.

[redpoint5]

BTW, I've always offered to settle accidents off the record, and to date nobody has taken me up on it. Paying $2,500 for my Subaru in cash would have been cheaper in the long run than the increased insurance premium for the 18 year old kid that hit me, but he and his father wanted to settle through insurance. Perhaps they aren't aware of what premiums look like after an at fault accident for an 18 year old male. Mine went from a liability only premium of $600 for 6 months, to $1,800.

Not sure what the Camry value books out to, plus taxes and registration fees to purchase a replacement vehicle, but overall it sounds like a good outcome. I suspect there's more value left on the table than what is offered since used vehicle prices have increased 30% in the last year, and one must consider taxes and fees in buying another vehicle in AZ, but coming out ahead is good.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

BTW, I've always offered to settle accidents off the record, and to date nobody has taken me up on it. Paying $2,500 for my Subaru in cash would have been cheaper in the long run than the increased insurance premium for the 18 year old kid that hit me, but he and his father wanted to settle through insurance. Perhaps they aren't aware of what premiums look like after an at fault accident for an 18 year old male. Mine went from a liability only premium of $600 for 6 months, to $1,800.

With good reason. Nothing keeps you from taking their money "off the record" and then filing a claim with your insurance.

[freebeard]

When the guy rear-ended my yellow Squareback, I offered to accept a cash-out on the roadside because it was driveable and he was 80 years old in his first [claimed] accident. But then he remembered it would be on him to fix his own car, so his insurance company forced my car off the road.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by JSH

With good reason. Nothing keeps you from taking their money "off the record" and then filing a claim with your insurance.

Except I had liability only. Also a written contract would preclude shenanigans.