Let friend drive my car, he tore off the bumper

[pergesu]

I sliced up my hand really badly yesterday and was all doped up on percocet. I had to run some important errands, and my friend has wanted to drive my car for a while so I asked him if he'd want to help me with the errands. He was really careful driving, but when he parked he pulled up onto one of those concrete bumper things. When he put it in reverse, we heard a loud snap. Took a look and some underside plastic was hanging off, as was the bumper.

I took it into a local collision repair shop for an estimate. The guy said probably about $500-800. My insurance deductible is $500. What should I ask for as far as payment from him? My initial thought is $500, since that's what I'd have to pay to get it fixed. However if I file a claim, my insurance rate will go up, so that'll end up costing me a lot in the long run.

I don't know if I should ask for the deductible, full repair cost, or split it with him (what %?) What do you guys think?

[bisonbison]

If he didn't offer to pay for it, halfsies.

[SBR]

Half, he was doing you a favor.

[gumpzilla]

For some reason this makes me think of the SNG thread about how real friends don't worry about money.

I think some kind of split sounds fair, particularly since he was doing you a favor by driving you around on your errands. Not sure what a good percentage is; I think maybe the thing to do is say "Hey, I'd rather not file an insurance claim, especially since it's not much more than the deductible. You mind helping me out with this?" and see what he offers. If it's at all reasonable, I'd accept what he says and say that's that.

[pergesu]

[ QUOTE ]
If he didn't offer to pay for it, halfsies.

[/ QUOTE ]
He did say, "Hey I'll pay for it, that's just the way I am." However I think he was talking about paying for some bolts and stuff to get it bolted back on. Not paying to restore it to the previous condition. But I'm not entirely sure about that.

[ QUOTE ]
For some reason this makes me think of the SNG thread about how real friends don't worry about money.

[/ QUOTE ]
Yeah I hear ya. I'll admit the dude and I aren't super tight, I care more about my car at this point than our friendship. We were becoming pretty good friends, and so I guess whether he steps up or not here determines the direction our friendship goes.

[kerowo]

Talk to him and tell him what the estimate is and what your deductible is and see if he flinches. If he does go half and half with him.

[Paul B.]

What kind of car do you have? $500-800 is a ripoff if you don't have a super luxury car. It shouldn't cost more than $200-250 for an aftermarket bumper (check eBay) and it takes maybe 30 minutes max to put it on (labor generally costs ~$60/hour).

I don't think you should ask for any money. If he really is a good friend, he'll offer to pay half.

[pergesu]

[ QUOTE ]
What kind of car do you have? $500-800 is a ripoff if you don't have a super luxury car.

[/ QUOTE ]
BMW Z4

[jba]

i guess i'm in the minority that he shouldn't owe you anything. He's doing you a favor by driving you around.

[Tom Ames]

[ QUOTE ]
i guess i'm in the minority that he shouldn't owe you anything. He's doing you a favor by driving you around.

[/ QUOTE ]

Minority is gaining in numbers.