Hypothetical Question:

Some of you may know I own a small detail shop with rates that vary from $200 to over $1,000.

Well, yesterday a lady got a service done that was right around $400. As she was paying, she jokingly said "with my luck someone will hit me on the way home & I won't even get to enjoy my freshly detailed car".

Which got me thinking, say that happens; you just paid to have your car detailed & on the way home someone crashes into you.

You're essential out of the money you just spent since your car is now going to the tow yard or body shop & will not be driven around & enjoyed.

Could you sue the driver that hit you for the detail you just paid for or maybe even request reimbursement from the drivers insurance?

I'd love to get y'alls thoughts on this matter.

You can always ask, but the insurance company will claim the rental car they just gave you had to be clean. You drove it fkr a week, and a detail is only good for a week or so.

The vehicle was so shiny it blinded the other driver and caused the crash, counter sue, lol.

Recent repairs, maintenance, and detailing is routinely rejected by the insurance company adjustors. Of course that's part of negotiating with the devil, depending on the jurisdiction you may be able to present those expenses to a jury for consideration. Of course the insurance company knows this and will walk the line as close as possible so that it typically isn't worth the expense and risk of going to verdict.

Insurance pays for car wrap and after market stereo system. I'm sure you can ask and finesse it sometimes. I know paint correction and detail cost 800-1000 I'm sure you can recoup some

Thanks for the feedback. Maybe I'm naïve but it just seems fair that the insurance company or the person who hit you, reimburse you for something you never even got to enjoy.

Thanks for the feedback. Maybe I'm naïve but it just seems fair that the insurance company or the person who hit you, reimburse you for something you never even got to enjoy. Originally Posted by Brooke Wilde

It's sorta like providers who charge a deposit and then ghost on you?

It's sorta like providers who charge a deposit and then ghost on you? Originally Posted by Anonymous01

Not quite, a lady that takes your deposit & disappears is just a straight up scammer!!

This is more like you buy a 6-pack of Miller High Life bottles (The Champagne of Beers) & someone lollygagging on their phone (Snapchat or whatever) bumps into you as you're walking to your car, causing you to drop the case & break all the bottles.

Or a beautiful woman is cleaning and polishing your knob and right before the icing on the cake she has a heart attack because she had the jab, has myocarditis, and you take a long long long time to paint a map of Hawaii. Comeoniwannalayya!

She is very patient and loving but your swimmers require floaties and a lot of tingling motivation to escape the hatch and she went into cardiac arrest prior to launch.

And you paid after arrival at the love shack via Zelle but prior to creating your masterpiece. The bank will not void the cash deposit!

http://www.worldatlas.com/upload/6f/74/cb/hi-01.png

Gentlemen let’s get back on topic

Tell insurance adjuster that the repairs will include a full detail job.
Frankly, the shop is probably going to do that regardless so their work looks nice. Remember, super clean required as basic start work prep.
And they should be looking for hidden/unnoticed damage also.
Btw, with body shop repairs, always require a second coat of clear finish. Some shops won't even do a 1st coat.
Yes, I have access to a shop, and they always detail during the other work.
They tease us about not letting them paint the 4 legger show critters, when we get a pint or so of clear for the hooves.