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I don't think you should make him pay at all. He's an inexperienced driver and you let him use your car. Your parking space is admittedly tight. It was an accident. Why make him feel worse about it? Also, don't you have insurance? If you don't have insurance on a car your kid drives, then that's totally your fault and you deserve to pay.
1) it's not about making him feel worse (which is why I specified I wouldn't punish him), it's about helping him to understand that part of growing up is taking responsibility for things, even when they are unintentional.
2) No one else was involved and the cost to repair the bumper outright, without claiming it on insurance, is most likely less than the potential increase to the policy for a 17 yr old male driver.
You let a teen drive a relatively new car and are upset that it got dinged? Teens are still learning, and cars will get dinged. Do yourself a favor and have him get an old beat up car for a few more years.
1) it's not about making him feel worse (which is why I specified I wouldn't punish him), it's about helping him to understand that part of growing up is taking responsibility for things, even when they are unintentional.
Sorry that happened. But...You are worried he won't know how to take responsibility? You need take responsibility for loaning your car to your teenage son, and the risks that come with it. I can't imagine you'd even consider making him pay. It's not wise to give a nice car to a teenager, especially if you know you're so into looks a ding will upset you.
I've done really stupid things, far far beyond your circumstance. so please don't think I'm judging you. You should bear the burden for your lack of judgement. again, sorry that happened but it's not unexpected considering his age.
You are worried he won't know how to take responsibility? You need take responsibility for loaning your car to your teenage son, and the risks that come with it. I can't imagine you'd even consider making him pay for your lack of judgement. It's not wise to give a nice car to a teenager, especially if you know you're so into looks a ding will upset you. Not wise. But I've done really stupid things, far far beyond your circumstance. so please don't think I'm judging you. Sorry that happened
I'm not the OP (sorry for the confusion). Not everyone has the space to keep or ability to provide a "beater" car for a teen to drive. It was just "one of those things". It happens - but as parents it is our responsibility both to be compassionate and understanding of accidents as well as easing them into the responsibility of adulthood. If I, as an adult, have an accident, I will be paying the deductible and any rate increase as a result of that. I think having the son help with that is a reasonable way to allow him ownership of what happened without being punitive.
My son has had his license for about 10 months and has never had any tickets, never been pulled over, and has never been in involved in any accidents....until today. He went to Target to buy me some stuff, and returned home. In between the two parking spaces my husband and I own is a stone pillar. Today the parking space adjacent to mine had a minivan in it, making it a tight squeeze for parking. Unfortunately, my son turned too late and hit the pole. The car is fine, but has a 3-inch-wide dent and some small strips of paint were scratched off. I'm afraid I might have to replace the whole bumper for almost a grand..... Should I give him a warning this time, and make him pay in full for the next accident (hopefully there will NOT be another accident in the forseeable future!!), or make him pay me the sum it costs for the bumper? Thanks!
This is why you should have good insurance with a low deductible on all cars your children drive. And no, he should only pay for damages if he showed gross negligence. He is a kid and he was running errands for you.
If you asked your sister to run errands for you in your car for whatever reason would you expect her to pay it? I should hope not. If you chose not to use insurance it does not mean anyone you lend your car to is responsible for the entire cost.
With a young driver in the house it is likely to happen again. I wouldn't replace the bumper.
I wouldn't either. There is a difference between damage caused by negligence, and damage caused by inexperience. You son is in the latter category. Until he gains more, I would leave the car the way it is, and hope that's as bad as it gets.
Punishing him, or making him pay? Neither. Accidents happen.
2) No one else was involved and the cost to repair the bumper outright, without claiming it on insurance, is most likely less than the potential increase to the policy for a 17 yr old male driver.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eresh
You let a teen drive a relatively new car and are upset that it got dinged? Teens are still learning, and cars will get dinged. Do yourself a favor and have him get an old beat up car for a few more years.
It was an accident while doing an errand for YOU. The increase on insurance might not make the claim worth it. It sounds like he is a responsible driver. I would definitely get him out of the newer car and into a beater. We bought my son an older full size pickup (tank).
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Should I give him a warning this time, and make him pay in full for the next accident (hopefully there will NOT be another accident in the forseeable future!!), or make him pay me the sum it costs for the bumper? Thanks!
It was an accident while doing an errand for YOU. The increase on insurance might not make the claim worth it. It sounds like he is a responsible driver. I would definitely get him out of the newer car and into a beater. We bought my son an older full size pickup (tank).
