So, two weeks ago, as I was pulling out of somewhere with my eight year old, I backed into a neighbors car. No witnesses, barely any damage. The dilemma started there. Was is bad enough to leave a note? If I do, what if she is crazy and tries to inflate costs? If I don’t, would I be able to look myself in the mirror? Would I be able to look my daughter in the eye?
So I left a note.
The woman never called. I sat on it for a week, then went and knocked on her door. She said that she saw no damage. I walked her out and showed her precisely where I hit, and the small indent. She said she would get an estimate and then get back to me.
Another week passes.
There was a knock on the door today. It was my neighbor with her estimate. $850. Yep, you read that right. EIGHT HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS. Holy snap. That is a lot of money. So I apologized again and got on the phone with my insurance because, unfortunately, I don’t have that kind of money in my back pocket.
Now, long story short, they will pay. In the end, with my rate increases that will inevitably come, and my deductible, I am the one paying in the long run, but for now the cost is covered, and my neighbors car will be repaired.
I am so grateful today that I am blessed with a life that I have the ability to have a car. I am so grateful that I have the finances to afford insurance. And I am sooooo grateful that I was honest.
I guess the cost of honesty is a lighter soul (and a lighter pocketbook 😉 ).
QUICK UPDATE: Looks like I have no deductible since there was no damage to my car, and my rates may not go up because of an accident insurance clause. So, my pocketbook can now worry about other things like the mortgage. 🙂
Catholic Momma 