Time limit to fix car after someone hits it?

Question

Someone hit my car a few weeks ago and we exchanged insurance info and numbers. I got an estimate and sent it to him. However, I am starting school in a week and have no way of getting there without my car. So, it won't be convenient for me to fix the dent until I get time off for Christmas break. He wants to pay cash since going through insurance would cost him more in the long run, but he wants to write the check directly to the place fixing my car. If I hold off on the repair, can he get away with not paying me? Is there a law about this?

Answer 1

i agree wit the last two people & sounds to me he either dnt hve a dl or car insurance

Answer 2

It sounds fishy. He should go through his insurance no matter what. It sounds like he's trying to avoid that so he can avoid having to pay anything at all. You should act on this ASAP.

Answer 3

You don't ever have to have the car repaired at all and you can still collect from him.

He has to pay you for the damage he caused.  You can get a couple more estimates if you want to convince him of how much damage he did, but you don't have to actually fix it.

Tell him to pay you from the estimate or you will go through the insurance companies to get paid.

Also, many states require that you report accidents over a certain dollar amount.  If you live in one of those states, report this to your insurance company today.

EDIT - Protect himself from what?  Like I said, you never have to use that money for your car at all.   Ever.  He has to pay for the damage he caused.   How and when you fix it is entirely up to you.  Hold your ground.  He pays you from the estimates or you call in the insurance co.

Answer 4

There's no law about it but I wouldn't wait - he might change his mind.

Tell him that he pays you directly or it goes through the insurance.  He's not in a position to argue.

Answer 5

If you filed a police report you will have a better chance of getting your car repaired.  If it were me, I would tell him to cut me a check or you will call his insurance company and let them cut you one.  The only thing is what if it costs more to repair your car than you settle for?  Why can't you get your car repaired at school?  It is not his place to decide that he will only make the check out to the body shop.  That is a decision only you have the legal right to make.  Many people take the settlement check and don't bother to repair their car.  It is none of his business whether or not you repair it.