Hello everyone. New to the site. I bought my car after reading every post. Just got my Black rx8. Had it for two weeks and have been careful driving and parking to avoid unnessary contact with non rx8 vehicles. Still has the dealer plate on the back.

After a long day at work though I guess I lost my senses and parked in a grocery store lot. I picked up a few items. Had some chit chat with the clerk and went out to my beautiful new car. That's not a cart next to my car and it didn't hit me. I moved the cart and the light was too dark to see the three gouges that the cart took out of the drivers door with no one in site. I just stood there in disbelief.

I haven't gotten the car to the dealer to see if it can be fixed without paying the insurance deductible.

My question is, is the Grocery Store liable for the insurance deductible cost? Will my insurance go up if I claim a shopping cart hit and run? Should I even contact the insurance company? Can I get any simpathy here?

What to do?

 

You've got sympathy...but I think they only thing you might be able to do is claim it on comprehensive damage...if you have it, and you'll have to pay the deductible...I was a little luckier, made it 2 months before a ding

 

The grocery store is not liable. That jerk in the cart is but you can't find him. Go to a body shop (or three) and find an estimate. Call your insurance company and ask them specifics.

I think you are better off having it fixed without going through insurance. I have a mystery ding too that took off a little paint- It may be a car door. Pics?

 

Nope, It was the cart alright. Still against my door on an angle to really get some good gouges into the steel panel.

 

Don't know where you live, but the store might pay. It has happened, but don't count on it. Bring the car to a good detailer before you start with the body shops. Someone that knows what they are doing might save you a lot of trouble and expense.

 

Damn!! I hate hearing this stuff. I would urge taking your car to a good "paintless dent repair" shop. That's what I did. Took my 2 dings out for $100.00. Yes, not cheap but, a lot cheaper and smarter than getting my insurance company involved. I am assuming just dings. right? No paint broken or shipped?

Good luck!!

- Irish

 

Sorry to hear about your car. Any thread or post that starts with the words 'Shopping Cart' can't be good in a car forum. If it is gouged as you say and that tells me it is deeper than a small scratch and chipped some paint then you will have to go to a shop and have the door repainted. I would recommend paying attention to the paint job and making certain they paint and seal all the way around the door panel. That way it doesn't start chipping where the paint ends. Good luck.

 

as i understand car insurence (granted i'm no where near an expert)if it is enough damage to comtact them..ie more than your deductible...your rates will not go up for damage sustained of this kind. you are not at fault..there for not liable...you will pay the deductible the insurence will pick up the rest and your rates won't go up. (as i understand it...but it woudl be better to contact your insurence company ... or an insurence company and ask.....never hurts to ask).

hope we all helped out:D

 

I work for an insurance broker in Canada - the store should have insurance for this type of incident, and you should approach the store owners/management. They should be collecting carts on a frequent basis - and they may cover your expenses if you approach them.

 

I am currently dealing with repairing my hood, two pieces of trash fell off the back of a truck on the freeway, both dented and scratched my hood, removing chunks of the aluminum. My insurance company is paying for it, under my comprehensive insurance, $100 deductible. Better than the $1K the estimate is. Rates should not go up, that is why, at least this is how I understand it, this type of thing is covered under comprehensive, not collision.

Hope you get it fixed, I always hate hearing about bad things, happening to good cars.

 

I got a $350 settlement out of Jewel food stores here in the Chicago area - just went to the store manager and complained, filled out one form, sent in one estimate, and a check in 3 days. They are in the business of avoiding pissed customers. Your best action however was to go straight into the store and complain. Time passed = opportunity lost.

Also, as long as the pain isn't cracked, split or chipped, you'll be fine with paintless dent repair - they can fix it as if nothing at all happened.

 

Nice!! I never thought they would cough up the dough!!

- Irish

 

I work at Office max and on christmas day i walked outside to get presents out of my car and see a huge 3 inch long vertical dent on my passenger door. My dad said when i take it in to get it serviced they should have a dent guy there that can do it...hopefully!!!

 

You do not want to even mention this (or any incident) to insurance company if the damages are only a few hundred dollars. After paying your deductible, you may not save much, and your rates will go up for a few years after that, probably more than negating the savings.

 

Sorry to hear about that wayward shopping cart. Lots of good advice here that I cant really add to. But I will weigh in.

Soapbox alert!

Here's what I do. I return all my carts to the coral. I dont prop them up on a curb, look for a rut to wedge the wheel in, lean it against a light pole or any other lazy-*** thing I see people do.

Also, when I go to a store, I park in a galaxy far, far away and while I'm walking into the store if I see a stray cart, I grab it and take it in. If everyone did this , no carts would wander the parking lots looking for nice cars to hurt. Something to consider.

 

Did you chase the truck down? Did you see what truck it came from? I would follow that guy and call the cops...I would not let that person take off without paying for the damages they caused. Tell me more...

 

had you reported the loss immediately to the store manager and he documented same, you would have had a shot (although a long one) for their insurance gl coverage to pay for your damages- most stores have signs posted warning people that they are parking cars at their own risk- that's not to say that they do not have an obligation to gather the carts and keep the area free and clear of carts to a reasonable degree, but whose to say they didn't round em up and a second later a patron let his go into your car? liability is impossible to prove but for customer service sake they may have done something- but way after the fact- NO WAY JOSE!