If you have to pay for damages on another persons car and you don't have the amount requested what do you do?

Answer 1

First, negotiate the amount down. Then try to pay it in installments. The other person probably got an estimate from a friendly body shop person who might have given an estimate on the high side. There is no such thing as a perfect estimate. They all have ranges and theirs is probably high. Negotiate by getting your own estimate, although this will cost you. You will probably get a lower estimate. Offer to pay this amount only or let them take you to court. Going to court will take time and maybe money if they have to hire a lawyer so they might think it better to take the smaller amount now rather than go through a costly time-consuming lawsuit, where they might lose anyway. If it came to a trial the judge would most likely try to convince both sides to settle the case and meet halfway anyway. So, why not do it now rather than months later. Plus, it's very likel;y that the car will be fixed for that lower amount anyway. Another way to get to a lower amount is to tell them that you can't pay it all right away and if they want the money, they will have to sue you, get a judgment and garnish your salary or levy on assets, (which you don't have anyway if you can't pay the amount in full. People understand that they can't always get what they want even if they are entitled to it. You may be completely liable for all the damage but if you can't pay then you can't pay. They have to face reality. If you can't pay the amount they want or even a lesser amount in full right away offer to make monthly payments toward the lower amount. Remember, always get their initial amount down before you start talking payments. Knowing how these things with estimates work, I would bet that they can get their car fixed for that lower amount. Remember also that even though the damage may be your fault, the amount of money to fix the car is probably not the amount they say it is, even if they have an estimate.