GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

So, my 6-month-old '94 auto base, with a whopping 7500 miles on it, was just in a *very* minor fender bender. I was not in the car, but my wife told me she was waiting to turn right at a light, and the guy in front of her started to pull out. She looked left and took her foot off the brake and bumped the guy.They pulled over, got out, and the guy said, "Well, there's no damage. Let's just let it go." Of course, my young wife, nervous as can be, didn't argue and drove home.I took a look and there aren't any scratches or anything, but the right front panel doesn't quite sit flush with the fender. It's less than a quarter inch off, but it still worries me. I took the car out for about ten miles on a combination of surface streets and highway driving. There were no rattles, the alignment was fine.So, should I call the insurance agent, without the info for the guy she hit, or better spend my $500 deductable on flowers for my frazzeled wife?

If you decide to call them, I suggest you do what I did and report it as a hit and run. Tell them it just happened in the parking lot while you were in the store. That way it won't go on as "your fault" per se. I backed into a lady in my S-10, but she didn't have any damage. I called it in as a hit and run later in the day, and without someone else calling it in the same from the same place at the same time, you should be safe. Your deductible may be lower that way too. I know mine was, but it ended up being the same amount as the damage! At least I got it fixed and it didn't go on my record. Can't do it too often, though, obviously.

You should do what your wife and you think is best. My opinion is if there is very minor damage (have an auto body shop look at it you are unsure of the extent) then just use it as a learning experiance, and forget about it. The down side of the insurance claim is, rates may go up, deductible to be paid, body shop may or may not fix it to your liking, paint may not match, you will be without your car while it is being fixed etc. etc.

Ponder heavily...My advice, if it's THAT minor, don't claim it through insurance. Too many claims, big or small, and they'll flag you, and possibly raise your rates.Might ask the dealer what it would cost to readjust, can't be more than $20-$3o in labor i suspect...

Your wife did the right thing, the other alternative would be to get the police involved, file insurance claims, maybe she'd get a ticket, lots of complications. Now it's just up to you to either live with it or get it fixed. Do you have/can you post any pics of the damage? Ragingfish seems to always be taking the front end of his apart and putting it back together, maybe he can offer some tips about adjustments. Might be a relatively simple fix. Maybe just loosen some fastener, pull it back into place and tighten it back up, but I really do not know. if she was going to be in an accident, then it sounds like a good one to be in. some of the accidents vibes see have been "significant". Check out the pic in http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=11448

True...Can you take a pic of your "damage?"I can't quite picture how you describe it...I might be able to guide you in realigning the panel...

Looks to me like any "fault" would be your wife's - she hit him in the rear. Best resolution is to be thankful you don't have a ticket to pay and points. just get your car fixed and pay the price and go on with your life. Lying to an insurance company is fraud. If it's over your deductible and you want them to pay just tell thruth and they will do so - but you may face higher future premiums or cancellation.

Quote, originally posted by cvd6262 »So, my 6-month-old '94 auto base, with a whopping 7500 miles on it, was just in a *very* minor fender bender. '94?

Quote, originally posted by scherry2 »'94? Yeah you know, he got one of those concept Vibes they developed in 94 but never sold. I saw one in Popular Science back then when I was taking Piano lessons, my teacher used to have those mags... well most of that is true... I think he hit 9 instead of 0.

Thanks for the advice. I'll see about the pics, but looking at it today in the light, I could hardly see the damage.BTW, it is an 04.