Joe is right. You shouldn't have to pay it all yourself, but neither should your buddy. Could have been ANY ONE of you! Split it four ways, it won't break anyone's bank that way.

Good luck,
Karl

 

If it was me and my truck, and I had let someone else drive it and they ran through a patch of ice even though they were being careful, I'd pay the whole thing.

Reason is, I made the decision to let someone else drive. If the situation were different and the friend driving was being negligent, then it's on him.

This is all predicated on how good the friend is also. A good friend is worth way more than an argument over $2100.

 

I didn't mention that he wouldn't slow down when i told & told him it looked icy He said "what i can't see won't hurt me"! Then after a few more warnings he said "you sound like my dad" He is willing to pay the deductible. I agree that under normal circumstances it should be split 4 ways to pay the deductible.

 

I think that changes the outcome, if you told him repeatedly to slow down and he ignored the request then it is on him to have to pay it.

 

Not to hijack this thread, but be careful when calling your insurance company about claims. My basement was flooded when Ivan came through a few years ago, Agent came, said its not covered since it was considered wind driven rain, so no payment. A few weeks later we had a major wind storm and ripped off a few rows of shingles off the roof, agent came and said the damage isn't higher than the deductible, so again no payment. Then 3 years later someone hit my car parked in my driveway so I called to see what I needed to do since I wasn't really involved in an accident and wasn't sure if it fell under the home owner or the auto insurance, since they each have different deductibles ect...was told it didn't meet the higher of the two deductibles. That was in the summer, renewal date is (or should I say WAS) in Feb. In December of that year, I got a certified letter in the mail from my insurance company saying that due to me exceeding the number of claims within a 5 year period they were not renewing my insurance. thank you and have a nice day. I called the agent since I knew him was a customer for more than 20 years and his response was, "yes you had to many claims and that they changed their policy that calls to inquire about what is or is not covered can be considered a claim if an agent is sent or reviews damage in person." I was really taken back and didn't know what to say other than that after 20 years or so of paying every year and never had a payout that he was going to loose a customer over a very questionable policy, then i would gladly find another agent to do business with and made sure that all of my family and friends that were customers of that company left, which they all promptly did.

 

The insurance industry is discriminating/ruthless/mandatory. That's why im going to fix my truck without the insurance company involved. I will use them when a serious accident occurs, thanks for all the advise.

 

That changes everything. Make him pay. Forget what I said before.

Oh, and FWIW, my FiL was in the insurance business for 35+ years and NO you do NOT want to involve them in this. You're right to handle it yourself.

Karl

 

Absolutely. Couldn't say it better myself.

 

Sounds like he owes you more than the money, he owes you a big apology to not only you but to the group as a whole.

 

I have never heard of this, and I've been in a bunch of group trips.

The driver is responsible, period.

Sure, chip in for fuel, food, whatever, but just because this is a group trip doesn't automatically mean the collision expense gets split just because you're part of the group.

What if the collision was worse and someone in the Ex...one passenger...got seriously hurt and needed surgery? Are you guys gonna split that expense too?

What if the driver hit another car and killed someone in that car, got sued, and lost. Are you guys gonna chip in and help pay a portion of the judgement?

I know those are kind of extreme examples, but unless you guys talk about collision coverage and damage being shared by the group if it happens BEFORE the trip, it isn't right for the owner of the vehicle to assume it's gonna be split among all parties.

Stewart

 

Stewart,

The new information from Curt above that he had asked and warned this guy to slow down based on road conditions and the guy argued with him and disregarded the warnings...so the accident is clearly on that guy.

As far as the group trip and what should be "split"...your examples are certainly extreme...but I can say this...the group of guys I traveled with would step up and split the cost of a normal accident where there was a $1000 deductible...clearly where there is negligence...that guy is on his own.

Every group will be different...but while it never happened to us...I would be confident my group would step up because it could have been any one of us driving when a mishap happened...again negligence like in this case aside...

Joe.

 

I agree, this issue needs/should be talked about before the trips start. My sleding buddy was an *** clown for not slowing down. The way I look at it is what would I do, if I was driving someone elses truck, and was in an accident? I would offer to help by at Least paying the deductible!

 

Yeah, I know. But my opinion was in spite of all that.

Joe, the way I feel has nothing to do with stepping up, and everything to do with communication.

Right now, if I were planning to go with a group on an excursion (no pun intended) and it was communicated that if something like this happened (negligence/*** hattery aside) the cost would be split between the group, I wouldn't go. I couldn't take the chance because there's no way I could pay my portion if something happened.

Without that communication, and without the chance to decline the invitation, nobody in the group should be expected to pay.

Now, if you guys have the same group of guys that get together and do hunting/fishing trips or whatever, and there is a group dynamic and an understanding of shared cost, I can understand your attitude of "stepping up" and expecting your buddies to pay.

I would hope though, if you invited someone who was not a "regular," the shared cost expectation (to include the collision deductible) would be explained to him so he could decline the invitation if he didn't want to assume part of that liability.

Honestly, until I read it here in this thread, I've never heard of a collision deductible being split between the passengers/group in the vehicle.

Because he was driving like a fool, and you instructed him to slow down and he refused, he should claim it on his insurance if he can (homeowners policy?), as well as pay the deductible.

Stewart

 

I use my Ex for group trips. Even when I pay for no fuel, as the owner you are still coming out on the short ends of the stick IMO as far as true operating and wear cost go. Especially if you consider the the gubment allowes .555/mile. I dont really mind that, that's the reason I wanted an Ex. It will all even out amoung friends in the end.

If i was driving someone elses vehicle and had damage. I would feel obligated to make it right.

Like x hemi guys says, I dont think its unreasonable to ask the group to help. I believe this is fair. A true friend should not have a problem with $250. If so, next time charge them a deposit.
I'm just glad it was no worse. Consider the what ifs' now as well. Is the stuff on your trailer covered under your insurance, ususally not.

If i was driving someone elses vehicle and caused damage, I would feel obligated to make it right.

Oh, i just read about the slow down warnings.....It definatly on the driver now.

 

The car/truck owners insurance covers all the drivers and trailers. Im sure there are exceptions. My homeowners has a rider for my sleds. There was no damage to any of the 4 sled. We had a flat tie on the way home, and the driver wanted me to claim a new tire & 2 broken hinges on the front ramp. I told him to @#$% off!