Broke neighbor's windshield: moral dilemma - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Asian Lilliputian · 07-26-2007, 07:24 PM

Hey everyone, I broke my neighbor's rear car window when a rock flew out of my rusty lawnmower. It shattered completely.

Stupid me, I knocked on his door and told him about it, when I could've very well ran inside and hid for a week (he wouldn't have known).

Now he's trying to gouge me for repairs. We don't know each other, so we're basically strangers.

The question is: would you have 'fessed up to something you could have gotten away with, even knowing the headaches (monetary and otherwise) that would inevitably follow? Obviously, it would be different for family and friends, but to a total stranger, would you have told him?

Azure · 07-26-2007, 07:24 PM

I would have....honest is always better.

Displaced Flames fan · 07-26-2007, 07:29 PM

Yep, well done.

If the roles were reversed you would've wanted to be told wouldn't you?

That's how you resolve those dilemas.

Dion · 07-26-2007, 07:35 PM

You did the right thing by fessing up.

If you don't trust the neighbor, phone a few glass shops and get some quotes on replacing his rear window. This will give you an idea if he's gouging you or not.

urban1 · 07-26-2007, 07:37 PM

karma baby.

you did the right thing.

Burninator · 07-26-2007, 07:37 PM

That's a complete freak accident. I hope your neighbor isn't expecting you to pay for the whole thing. I would think splitting it 50/50 would be fair.

Resolute 14 · 07-26-2007, 07:39 PM

If he is going to gouge you, tell him to talk to his insurance about replacing it.

If he is going to be reasonable, negotiate.

Either way, you did the right thing by telling him.

GoinAllTheWay · 07-26-2007, 07:40 PM

I'm assuming you have home insurance? This may be a good case of using coverage many do not know exists. It's called voluntary property damage and should be applicable in a case like this. Would not advise using it if you have a claims free discount on your policy though as it will only get your around $500 so you have to weigh that one out long term.

What kind of car is it? You would be amazed at what some windshields are worth these days.

edit - nm, rear window, sorry. Still pricey though as the have the defrosting elements in them.

Resolute 14 · 07-26-2007, 07:40 PM

Especially a rear windshield, with the heating lines.

ricoFlame · 07-26-2007, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burninator

I hope your neighbor isn't expecting you to pay for the whole thing. I would think splitting it 50/50 would be fair.

i don't know about that. if he offers to pay for some, great, but fessing up to the accident is the right thing to do, and expecting to pay for it comes with the territory. karma though, what goes around comes around, you did good.

ken0042 · 07-26-2007, 07:44 PM

OK- some clarification. Is it the windshield or rear window? You mention both.

And yep- you did the right thing. But call around and get some quotes so you know if he is charging the right amount. I also disagree with Burninator; although it was an accident, I always look over my lawn to make sure there is nothing on it before I mow it; because I know a rock can fly out and cause serious injury. In this case it was just a car window- fortunate that nobody got hurt.

Slava · 07-26-2007, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

I'm assuming you have home insurance? This may be a good case of using coverage many do not know exists. It's called voluntary property damage and should be applicable in a case like this. Would not advise using it if you have a claims free discount on your policy though as it will only get your around $500 so you have to weigh that one out long term.

What kind of car is it? You would be amazed at what some windshields are worth these days.

edit - nm, rear window, sorry. Still pricey though as the have the defrosting elements in them.

This is definitely the way to go. The policy pays because you are not technically liable for the damages, but you want to be a good neighbour basically.

Hemi-Cuda · 07-26-2007, 09:36 PM

if some guy came to my door and told me that he broke my windshield i would expect him to pay for it completely, accident or no. just because it was one of those freak things you could never predict doesn't mean it's not 100% your fault

Flames in 07 · 07-26-2007, 10:17 PM

You did the right thing, and you owe him for a new window. Not 50/50.

It may have been an accident, but unfortnuately this was your accident.

CaptainCrunch · 07-26-2007, 10:31 PM

Why should he have to split, he's allowed to park his car there.

If he wants to gouge you, tell him that you'd prefer to either go through insurance, or you'd like to get an estimation from the place where you got your last windshield done (lie a little)

I applaud you for being honest with your neighbour. You might not know him, but it dosen't hurt to have good relations (especialliy if he's got a hot wife)

SeeGeeWhy · 07-26-2007, 11:20 PM

I wouldn't assume he is gouging you... it may be a case of him being gouged by the place he is going. Go get some 3rd party quotes (3 is best to get a decent cross section) to compare to what he is going to charge you.

The onus is on you to find the cheapest if you are offering to pay.. He just wants it fixed and doesn't care who does it. Refuse to pay if he is going with a company that is more expensive than what you found.

WinColumn · 07-26-2007, 11:29 PM

I would say kudos for fessing up and facing the music. Your parents raised you right

Last winter I slid my car into a parked truck. I could've totally gotten away with it as there were no witnesses. I was so tempted to drive away, but I asked that question mentioned above. How would I want others to behave. I can't complain about our degenerate society if I was part of the problem, so I left a note and ended up paying a lot. The guy appreciated the honesty and my conscience is clear.

I would also say that you are 100% responsible to pay for it. Not the 50/50 thing. I hope the insurance route works for you.

Reggie Dunlop · 07-26-2007, 11:36 PM

First of all, it's the neighbour being inconvenienced. It should get fixed wherever is the most convenient for him regardless of cost to you.

If he's a reasonable person, you might convince him to get more than one estimate. Try pointing out that you were honest with him. But really, the bill is your problem, not his.

ken0042 · 07-27-2007, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

First of all, it's the neighbour being inconvenienced. It should get fixed wherever is the most convenient for him regardless of cost to you.

###.

A couple of years ago my neighbour hit my parked car. Not abig deal; but it was easily over $1000. There was a bit of a fight (ie- standoff) about where I wanted to get it fixed. Because it was autobody work, I wanted it done by a dealer. I explained to him that any work I ever had done at a dealer was great, and with a non-deal; not so great. I even went so far as to get estimates from non-dealers, and showed him that the one dealer I wanted to do the work was the 2nd cheapest of anybody; and the cheapest place was $8 less.

He kept insisting that he knew "a guy who could get him a deal", but I finally insisted, and reminded him that the favour I was doing him was letting him pay rather than going through insurance.

With something as like a window its easy to get a quote over the phone. If he's getting quotes of $1600 and you get quotes of $1400, then pay it. If he's telling you $3000, and you are seeing $1400, then go through insurance.

mykalberta · 07-27-2007, 09:04 AM

I would get an estimate from the cars manu dealership. That will tell you the high end of the price spectrum. You have to be willing to pay that price becuase alot of car owners are anal about that kind of thing and wont take it to a non manu place for repairs.

If he agrees to dealership have it arranged with the dealership that you will pay for the damanges, that way he doesnt gouge you.

Apart from that tell him to take you to small claims court - record all prior actions.

Also agree with Ken042.

MYK