Scam

[Kitty]

One of the attendants was washing windows today and somehow, inadvertantly touched a vehicle with a bench he had moved. The bench made a discoloration within the bumper on a 2003 Honda Civic. He barely touched the vehicle, the owner had noticed he touched her car as he licked his finger in hopes of wiping away the mark. The owner never said anything to the attendant, but moved her car a few spaces from the oringinal spot. Within 10 minutes she left, only to return a half hour later with an estimate for repairs.

This is when I was made aware of the incident. I asked for the estimate, and went to view the car. As we were discussing this mark, I noticed far left a 1/4" dent. As I was speaking to the woman, I told her I would have to call the estimator as I was sure the estimate contained repair costs for the dent, the dent that was not discussed as being part of what the attendant did. The attendant is sure he never did anything but slightly touch the vehicle. However, she immediatly changed her story and said he did both marks. The attendant replayed the event that caused the mark, and as the larger dent far left is out of line for any direct hit from the bench. As the bench cannot be manipulated to make a turn! It is apparent to me she dented her car and is trying to get us to pay for the cost. The estimate came to 400 for mere discoloration, but funny how she now states he made the dent also.

I told her the owner would contact her in a day or so and copied the estimate. I had both attendants, including me hand write an incident report and have faxed everything to the insurance agent. I will be flabbergasted if they pay anything and I hope they threaten her with fraud!!

[Anonymous]

Why not just tell her to take it up with the attendant - the attendant is the one that did it - not your business. Once she is told that, and that there are no deep pockets, it will go away. It seems far fetched for you to be liable for what an employee does to someones parked car.

[Kitty]

I would gather that since the employee was conducting a duty while on the clock, the business is liable for his actions.

If he did do something that warrants a claim, then the business would certainly pay damages. However, when it is apparant is someone making a false claim, then the problems arise.

It is always best to contact the agent and be specific with the issue. Many times they would rather not pay these smaller claims . It is the job of the insurance companies to eliminate these smaller, incidental claims as they add up to a huge amount of losses that should not have been added, although most of us know, they pay as it is less trouble. If they have reason to deny a claim they will certainly do so. As it is a small incidental amount, I hope her claim is denied, as if she wins........the scam will be won

[Anonymous]

I would have told them to call the Police and we could fill a Police report out. I would then tell them it probaly would be a waste of time since the owner or insurance company would never pay the claim since it was a small claim.

[Coinwash]

Originally posted by Laundrypro2000
I would have told them to call the Police and we could fill a Police report out. I would then tell them it probaly would be a waste of time since the owner or insurance company would never pay the claim since it was a small claim.

This was the right answer. Call the Cops.

This is a good reason to have a camera handy. So you can take a picture of the damage right away.
Get a newspaper in the picture too so you can date it also.

[CharlieS]

#1 - The customer never discussed this with the attendant, or called in additional verification. (ie. police) Instead, they took the car and left the scene. There is virtually no way for them to verify that the dent was caused by the attendant. The attendant has already admitted the minor discoloration that he/she did cause, and there is no evidence to the contrary that he/she did more.

#2 - The quote is too high anyway. Offer to have the car professionally buffed and polished. You may have a minor dent removal company that can remove the dent and rebuff for less than $100.

#3 - How valued is this customer? Is he/she a regular, with a large weekly spend? If so, consider the lost income if you blow them off.

#4 - Do not offer any cash settlement. Only offer to pay the buff/polish detailing service.

#5 - Don't turn it in to the insurance company, because its too low a claim and will only bump your rates.

[buddy]

If she is trying to scam you than you should give her a taste of her own medicine.

Just deny the whole incident. She left the scene without calling the cops or mentioning anything about damage to her car and therefore you are not responsible.

If people could collect damages that easily, you would have people driving from all over and claiming every damage to the their car from you. She did not follow proper procedure therefore as far as you are concerned, you don't know what she is talking about.

[Kitty]

Update

The insurance lady called BD the other day and said that the company will not come and view the damages under a 2500.00 loss, they simply pay the claim. You wonder why the hell the rates are outrageous.....Anyway, he initially said to pay the lady the 410.00 for the mere discoloration the attendant admitted to doing. The 410.00 would essentially pay for the dent that was already there, thus she would win and because of this others will definatley get wind and try to scam others in the same fashion. I raised hell! I couldn't believe they would simply cut a check. I suggested, that we take a wait and see direction. I feel she knew that I thought her claim was BS, so she may have second thoughts on making the claim in a more demanding fashion. So far we have yet to hear from her, I believe we will not. But, if we do, the company will pay versus giving her some poop. Insurance companies could use a better system as I would guess the under 2500 dollar rule ends of costing millions in claims.

[kyle mcpeck]

The same thing happened to me involving a claim I had around XMAS. She got $1200 for nothing. Pure scam...

[Anonymous]

Tell her to go pound salt. I'm sure they will move on to a easier prey.