I had an idiot back into the passenger door of my XF at a strip mall parking lot while I was sitting still. Since there were no injuries the police will not come onto private property. I was able to obtain a proof of insurance card (expired) plus I failed to get information from his drivers license. I contacted my insurance company & fortunately the other driver did have insurance but filed an accident report where he said it was my fault. He also told his insurance company not to release any information to me so I have never seen his accident report.

My 2004 XF is Blaze Red. A really hard color to make a perfect match. I didn't use the insurance companies repair shop with an estimate of $750 & no guarantee of being able to match the color. I used a repair facility recommended by my independent MB shop. The whole side of the car was painted & was a perfect match for ONLY $1650. The insurance paid for the repair except for my $250 deductible. Once the accident reports went to arbitration the other driver was found at fault & I was refunded my deductible. The arbitration process took 5 months.

Lessons learned: Once I was given an expired proof of insurance card I could have called the police reporting a driver with no insurance coverage. The police report would have been available with all of the information I needed & the police would have determined that the other driver was at fault. Also, I should have gotten his drivers license information.

Fortunately the damage only consisted of a crease above & below the intrusion beam & the airbag did not deploy.

Last picture is at the time of the accident with the idiot shown who hit me.

 

I'm glad it turned out in your favor. Back in 2005 I started through a stop sign then halted due to oncoming traffic. The idiot behind me did not and bumped my roadster at 2-3 mph, denting and scratching the rear bumper. Not much, but the car was brand spanking new. His insurance was expired, too. When I pointed this out he offered to pay me cash. Well, being a nice (but potentially stupid) guy, I agreed. He said he would meet me in two hours with the $500. I waited for 10 minutes and he showed up, cash in hand. Thinking back over it, I was damn lucky he did not blow me off and then claim he was not in the vicinity of the accident. If I had to do it over, I should have held on to his license and insurance card. And gotten a picture with my cell phone.

 

both very lucky ! I had an accident where the guy turned in front of me & I couldnt stop in time hitting his truck in the backside rear over his fender well ! Messed the whole front of my car up ! They got out right away telling me they just bought this pickup from their uncle & did not get the plates transferred or ins yet ! They also said they worked with my son & knew him. they also had a baby in the front seat of truck which was ok thank God ! They said they would pay for all my damages too just please dont call the police !!! They never did pay, also filed a claim & said I hit them with my ins company !!! My son told me Dad they have no money to pay ya, after the fact !!! So I learned the hard way too !!! Call the police no matter what !!! I was lucky & did get my car fixed by my ins just took a while to get it all straightened out !! Never again !! Its bad when your kids tell ya Dad what did you always tells us call the police 1st thing !!!