Someone scratched my car when it was parked and they offered to pay for it?

When the other person says they're willing to pay for your damage, it means they want to do it outside of insurance. It's called a private settlement, and it's perfectly legal in almost every civilized jurisdiction. It's also easy to mess it up, however, so make sure you do it right. Here's how to do it right.

First, there are things to remember. 1) You're doing him a favour by not going through insurance, because he probably doesn't want his rates going through the roof. That means you call the shots here, not him. Remember that. 2) It's your car, so you and you alone decide who will fix it. He can recommend a repair shop, but he can't insist on anything. 3) If he doesn't agree to your terms, you do this through his insurance company.

What you do is get a printed (or written) repair estimate from a shop of your choosing, and present it to him (keep a copy for yourself) without delay. He then has 48 hours to come up with full payment in certified funds. Whether he pays it to you or the repair shop makes no difference, but 48 hours is the maximum and it has to be certified funds. That means cold hard cash, certified cheque or confirmed credit card payment. You'll provide a signed receipt of course, and you'll agree that his payment represents full and final settlement for all loss or damage arising from the collision with his vehicle that happened on the __th of August 2016.

If you want, especially if it will take longer than an afternoon to fix your vehicle, you can also include the cost of a rental replacement vehicle while your car is in the shop. He is responsible only for the daily rental cost, nothing more, and only if you choose to include it.

If he says "no, not that shop, you have to take your vehicle to my buddy at this address", you respond by telling him you're going through insurance. If he says he can get the money no problem but not until next Thursday, you respond by saying it has to go through insurance. Because you're the one doing the favour, so you get to call the shots. Remember that.

You need to make the call. It's your car, your damage, your claim, your responsibility.

You only need to communicate with your own company.

you SHOULD call in a claim

ok if the other person offered to pay for it, and it is only a snall scratch she may choose not to go through the insurance company

The person who hit your car and has insurance would have to call their insurance first to report a claim. If you or the mechanic does it, then the insurance will not pay, and you will have to pay for the repairs yourself, with your own money.

Call the guy and at least give him the opportunity to pay out of pocket.....If its something that could be buffed out or just touched up, it might only be a couple hundred bucks....But if a claim is filed, his insurance is gonna go through the roof......Tell him your willing to work with him, but only give him a week or two to take care of things

Danny,

Simply turn over all information you have about the incident and the other motorist to your insurer. They will take care of all contact with the other driver and their insurer. Don't allow the other motorist to suggest they will pay out of pocket. Reason being there would be no way you could hold them in doing so without representation from your insurer. Let your agent take care of any and all details, that is the job you pay them to do.

You need to file a claim with the other driver's insurance company.

Yes you need to call their insurance and yours for the policy number