Garage door collision - Please help - URGENT

[maverick601in]

Hi, need your help urgently and hope you can help..

[user01]

Couldn't you use your insurance to cover? Just call your insurance company and tell them what happened.

[sickcars]

At this point since you hit the door because of your mistake I dont think you have anything working for you that would get you out of paying for the damage even if the sensor was not working.

yes I realize you were there for 2-3min and its on video tape and so on but Still you dont smash into things when they dont work (not that you did it on purpose) just giving an example, you should of just parked the car and told the owner about it.

So anyways the door NEEDS to be fixed ASAP because of constant cars and security reasons so I dont think you can say hey I dont want to pay an extra $300 to get this fixed when Company B will do it for cheaper since youbroke the door.

My suggestion, pay for the door and go on with your life, you cant win this one.

[mkerian]

The cost of avoiding insurance will most definitely be much higher than going through insurance. And face it, you drove into the garage door, any argument you try to field will always be met with that.

This is what insurance is for, mistakes. I'd use it and move on.

[goleafsgo5]

Your automobile policy liability coverage should handle what...... if you don't want to go through insurance.... your cooked you don't have a leg to stand on....... sorry it sucks but your cooked

[UberDave]

I highly doubt that paying for the garage door out of your pocket will be cheaper than facing increased insurance rates you will face.

Call your insurance co. asap.

[thelefteyeguy]

I highly doubt that paying for the garage door out of your pocket will be cheaper than facing increased insurance rates you will face.

Call your insurance co. asap.

well since we don't have all the info (ie his driving record)...i dont think we can assess which one is more expensive.

if he has already 1 claim on his record...another one might put him into facility insurance....on a new car would easily be 6K+ for 2/3 years...4-5K for the remaining few years to 6 years.

so you do the math...


(btw...he doesnt need to call insurance yet...just wait for the quote first)


also to the OP...you are shiet out of luck on choosing who to repair the door since you are the one that doesnt want to go thru insurance...the condo manager can just be an ass and go through insurance if it must.

[blainehamilton]

An automated condo door costs a couple of thousand or more to install. Even if just the door panel needs replacement, your bill is going to be 4 digits.

[thelefteyeguy]

An automated condo door costs a couple of thousand or more to install. Even if just the door panel needs replacement, your bill is going to be 4 digits.

insurance can run you 5 digits over 6 years...



(btw...to the OP...did you dent it or totally demolished it...ie will the quote be for a new door or repair?)

[thelefteyeguy]

The tracks, the sensor, and the other mechanical parts were all undamaged. However the entire door panel was squished...it looks like that its going to be a new door.

are you over 25? and have a clean claim record? or how many claims do you have?

[UberDave]

OP, do you have an insurance broker or do you deal with your insurance directly? ie a company like State Farm.

If you have a broker you can call them and talk it through with them to get some advice without actually making a claim. Brokers are great and will be able to tell you what the best direction is for your wallet. If you deal directly with your insurance co. though don't call unless you decide you want to make a claim.

Also, if damage is over $700 here doesn't the law require police be called regardless of any charges? or is that only for car on car collisions.

[thelefteyeguy]

OP, do you have an insurance broker or do you deal with your insurance directly? ie a company like State Farm.

If you have a broker you can call them and talk it through with them to get some advice without actually making a claim. Brokers are great and will be able to tell you what the best direction is for your wallet. If you deal directly with your insurance co. though don't call unless you decide you want to make a claim.

Also, if damage is over $700 here doesn't the law require police be called regardless of any charges? or is that only for car on car collisions.

the problem right now is he doesnt have a quote for the door...not sure if the broker can help that much.

[Pete_Coach]

Do you have home insurance? You may be covered as it can be classified as damage to part of your home. Worth a try.:)

[thelefteyeguy]

Do you have home insurance? You may be covered as it can be classified as damage to part of your home. Worth a try.:)

i think he's a tenant at a condo...so prob not, secondly the garage area wouldnt be covered under the suite insurance anyways.

OP...you are likely to be kicked into facility insurance so 5-7k could be in order per year on the premium. You could call your broker to see if the insurance company would still cover you if you have 2 claims within 2.5 years apart.

[golden]

If a double home garage door costs couple thousands, the condo one will be much more expensive. Plus damage on your car (which is likely another few thosands $ with bumper, headlight, and prossibly hood damage). I think insurance is the way to go even if it means increase in premium.

[TrevorK]

My questions are:
1. I am concerned that if the quote from the particular garage door company is too high, can I do anything about it?
- I mean can I get a quote from some other company and try comparing them ?

2. The problem is that the door is going to be replaced today or tomorrow, so even if I get a quote from some other company (say for ex, company B), the original company A was already contacted by property management, and they might have already started working on that door.
- Do I have any say or option in this matter, since I am the one who is going to pay for the door ?

You have no right to influence them as to where they choose to get the door repaired. They will go through their preferred vendor to get the repair done to the quality that they expect. You can express your concern, however you truly have no say. If you refuse to pay they will sue you, or their insurance company will.

If you were in a car accident, with another driver at fault, and they found a body shop in a rough part of town for 35% less than the dealer would you agree to have your car fixed there? Of course not.

[thelefteyeguy]

If a double home garage door costs couple thousands, the condo one will be much more expensive. Plus damage on your car (which is likely another few thosands $ with bumper, headlight, and prossibly hood damage). I think insurance is the way to go even if it means increase in premium.

i think either way...OP is going to take a huge hit.

Trust me...facility insurance is like jail (first hand experience in the past)...since OP has about 2.5 years from the previous claim...insurance will be about at least ~$3K more for about 4 years.

[number8888]

Yes just go through insurance. Condo garage doors are for industrial use and should be much more expensive than residential ones.

[UberDave]

This is why a broker is so valuable.

2.5 years ago; was he at fault, shared blame or not at fault? Was there any traffic offense linked to the accident? What kind of car? It's new so you are probably required to have collision coverage?

If the OP makes a claim then he may be into facility which will be bad for sure and maybe not a road worth taking(I've been there too, many years ago). But, as you say, a lot depends on his previous claim(s). And it is likely your broker will be the only one able to tell you the right path to take.

[COSMIC5]

Usually 2 at fault collision claims in 5 yrs will result in non renewal..

i think he's a tenant at a condo...so prob not, secondly the garage area wouldnt be covered under the suite insurance anyways.

OP...you are likely to be kicked into facility insurance so 5-7k could be in order per year on the premium. You could call your broker to see if the insurance company would still cover you if you have 2 claims within 2.5 years apart.

[thelefteyeguy]

Usually 2 at fault collision claims in 5 yrs will result in non renewal..

that's what happened to me...facility insurance hell...learnt my lesson...not going back again...

knock on wood


my bet is the door is cheap than facility insurance for 4 years.

[COSMIC5]

I agree, we are here for advice.

This is why a broker is so valuable.

2.5 years ago; was he at fault, shared blame or not at fault? Was there any traffic offense linked to the accident? What kind of car? It's new so you are probably required to have collision coverage?

If the OP makes a claim then he may be into facility which will be bad for sure and maybe not a road worth taking(I've been there too, many years ago). But, as you say, a lot depends on his previous claim(s). And it is likely your broker will be the only one able to tell you the right path to take.

[COSMIC5]

Facility would be the last resort, there are other companies out there that would write this type of business at a lower cost.

that's what happened to me...facility insurance hell...learnt my lesson...not going back again...

knock on wood