... They won't know for sure until they disassemble the entire rear-end. As a result the tailgate won't close properly.
The initial estimate was about $2,500, but with a big cautionary note that when disassembly starts, it could easily go up to $4,500.
Now, a question for the group: The other driver is a little anxious to settle this outside insurance, so as not to affect his business.
You stand to gain nothing by letting the other driver skirt insurance. You've been rear-ended... it's the other guy's fault, and that's exactly what insurance is for. His rates go up, too bad for him... he should have left the 3-6 second margin.
Your dealer said it could have damaged the Tridion and they won't know until disassembly. I'll tell you now, if the core of that Tridion's bent, it's not street legal and possibly unsafe. A tridion bent on the outside isn't so bad, that's cosmetic surface. But if it absorbed a collision from what looks like a truck 5-10 times your mass, it may be bent beyond repair. And that means a new car.
Protect yourself in this deal. Call YOUR insurance agent for advice, they'll probably tell you to deal within the insurance system.
Another vote for involving your insurance company. That's why you pay for insurance. To protect your interests and smartie's as well.
The truck driver's situation is unfortunate, however, your safety and welfare is more important. Trust your insurance company to make your smart safe again.
(IMHO)
although i'm not an insurance advocate - in this case, since you don't have a firm estimate of the damage. In fact they don't even know for sure what all has to be repaired or replaced, you better go to your insurance co.
What if they open up and find it costs - say 50% of the value of the car to repair. Your insurance co would probably elect to total it. Things can go downhill quick. Too bad we can't just work things out "man to man" anymore.
I agree with everything that SuperGeek said!! Too fast for conditions.....following too closely.....inattentive driving....perhaps talking on the cell phone or who knows what else! There's usually an underlying reason someone wants to avoid going through the insurance company, and NONE of them will benefit YOU......just the other driver who was AT FAULT!! Just my 2 cents, but you were totally NOT AT FAULT, so you have nothing to lose! Plus, the majority of the time when someone wants to "handle it without insurance", they're thinking, "Ah, it doesn't look that bad. Couple thousand should take care of it!" Then when they find out what the REAL cost is going to be, then they start back-pedaling!! Then that's when you end up having to take him to court, or the business who can possibly afford a better legal defense, etc. It's just not worth it! Even if you have him sign something, in a lot of places, it's still not a legal document unless it's witnessed & notarized! So it's just one hassle after another, and that IS what you pay for insurance for, after all!!!
Id say go through insurance. Whenever you get rear ended its always the driver in the backs fault at least from insurance stand point, so you dont have to worry about your rates going up. When I took my smart in to get the tags put on I got a chance to talk to the smart tech for a while about smarts in accidents. He said that the only way they total them is if the roof is damaged because of how hard it is to repair but he did go on to say that the entire frame can be taken apart in pieces and easily replaced. He also said that the engines are made to easily be replaced in rear end accidents only one electrical harness and a couple bolts and its out. Sounds to me that they designed these cars to take a beating and not just throw aways after every fender bender. Anyway just my 2 cents.
After working 30+ years in insurance, I say TURN IT IN! both to his insurance company and to yours. Legally it's his fault (always in in rear-enders) and not turning it in will never benefit you. You need to find out if your state requires filing an accident report and your agent will know that.
Hopefully your smart will be all okay and be back with you soon.
If you do it inside insurance, you are covered more. If there is another problem with YOU, like you got hurt and it does not show up for a week. You are covered. Always take insurance and if it hurts his business, that is his fault. You are driving in adverse conditions and he should of not been so darn close. What if he says 5 grand. Then after the car is fixed, a hairline crack shows up on the tridon, total loss. Who is going to pay for your car that is a total loss. If anything, you could try to do it thru your insurance as non insured motoists. Which I doubt they will do since he has a business and has to pay for the stuff. Maybe his insurance said if you get in one more accident, you will be cut off. Might just be a bad driver. That is not your fault. I say go thru the insurance companies and let him deal with it. Not your fault so why deal with the hassel?
I would tell him it could be up to $2,500 -???? ( price of car if totaled ) I would call our Insurance agent and ask him for advice. if he/she is like mine he will give you some good advise
Once you talk to an insurance agent or broker they are REQUIRED to tell the Insurance company so think twice if you think you might do it directly with guy who hit you
Because it is a company i would not be as hesitant as an individual but you would want to do a BBB check etc to see how good they are - lots of companies don't carry insurance for things if they can do so legally and just pay as needed.
Another vote for involving your insurance company. That's why you pay for insurance. To protect your interests and smartie's as well.
The truck driver's situation is unfortunate, however, your safety and welfare is more important. Trust your insurance company to make your smart safe again.
(IMHO)
I totally agree with Supergeek and Besmart! His fault... his lesson learned, even with his company finding out... and his company definitely needs to know what happened!
I say go with your insurance company and do it the right way, especially if a new car might have to be obtained as a result of the damage!
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
So it's just one hassle after another, and that IS what you pay for insurance for, after all!!! 
Today
Linear Mode
