Hi there, looking for advice how to handle this situation.
I have a Honda Fit 2009 (55k odo). I drove to a dealership and parked in a customer park, while shopping for a second car.

while I was off elsewhere on the lot, an employee working at the dealer backed into the car causing damage to drivers side wheel, door, tyre and window. Possibly structural damage.

the dealership have somewhat accepted responsibility and have put us in a loan car, while getting our car assessed by their panelbeaters. If the damage is fixable, they will repair. If not, we will discuss compensation.

just wondering how not to get screwed here.

If it is repairable, the car will still be less valuable. How do I trust the dealer to give a fair assessment. what are my options?

pics attached

please help if you have any expertise with something like this.

cheers!

 

Um don't ask the internet. Call your insurance company and go get a repaired quote.

 

Thanks for that. We called our insurance, but it's their insurance that is covering it not ours.
Since the dealership want to fix the car themselves, I was looking for advice to see if anyone else had any suggestions about this.

 

That damage should be easily repaired by any competent body shop.

I wouldn't let that dealership touch the car if they have employees that can't even drive them.

I would go with the insurance quote and recommended shop if you don't know of any trusted shops.

I would see if you could get a good deal on a car while you are shopping there now that they have hit your car.

 

Here in California, when an accident happens, if you're fully insured (not just minimal public liability and property damage coverage), your insurance company represents you and handles the accident claim with the other insurance company. When your insurer contacts the other insurance company and it's determined the fault of the accident is the other driver/ dealership's responsibility, they authorize us to take our car to any body shop we choose for an estimate and/ or repair. If the estimated repairs exceed the value of the car at the time of the accident, the car may be totaled. Uninsured motorist damage is covered under another part of our auto policy. That's our process. You would have to compare that to rules in Aukland.

Here in California, we are not obligated to have our car repaired by the body shop of choice of the dealer or other driver. I don't think I would trust a dealer to have the car repaired for you, because of the conflict of interest that would be present. If your car is not driveable now, I would have your insurance company assist you in having the car towed to a reputable body shop for an estimate. Good luck with the repair.