Parking garage valet damaged our car (1 Viewer)

[huthut]

My wife parks in a parking garage for work, it is valet only. You let the valet know ahead of time when you are coming for the car, and they bring it out from whatever elevator storage system they have and park it at street level. They always back it into parking spots, so my wife did not see the damage because she just got in the driver seat and left. When she got home from work, she noticed a large deep dent (over one square foot) on the passenger rear corner, and some scrapes along the passenger side nearby. The plastic of the bumper is completely cut through, and all of the reflectors and stuff are just gone. She called the garage but the attendant would not say anything, and just said she can talk to the manager tomorrow. To me the damage looks like the car was backed into something. It was definitely not there this morning.

I am somewhat worried that since she did not point out the damage in the garage, they will deny they did it. I don't know what type of information they will allow us access to (video, parking spot etc.), especially if it could put them at fault. I don't even know what direction to take this if the garage fights us. Do you go through your insurance, get a lawyer? Anyone have any experience to something similar to this?

Also, I don't think my wife did it, because she would just tell me if she did. 

 

[Binky The Doormat]

You are hosed.  

End of thread.  

 

[gianmarco]

Call your insurance. 

 

[sports_fan]

Post on a football forum

 

[Galileo]

Start hiding keys

 

[boots11234]

You’re screwed. Claim hit and run. You’re insurance shouldn’t go up. 

 

[wilked]

The garage almost certainly has cameras. Check before and after going in and out of garage

 

[rockaction]

Did the wall leave a note? 

 

[stlrams]

My wife parks in a parking garage for work, it is valet only. You let the valet know ahead of time when you are coming for the car, and they bring it out from whatever elevator storage system they have and park it at street level. They always back it into parking spots, so my wife did not see the damage because she just got in the driver seat and left. When she got home from work, she noticed a large deep dent (over one square foot) on the passenger rear corner, and some scrapes along the passenger side nearby. The plastic of the bumper is completely cut through, and all of the reflectors and stuff are just gone. She called the garage but the attendant would not say anything, and just said she can talk to the manager tomorrow. To me the damage looks like the car was backed into something. It was definitely not there this morning.

I am somewhat worried that since she did not point out the damage in the garage, they will deny they did it. I don't know what type of information they will allow us access to (video, parking spot etc.), especially if it could put them at fault. I don't even know what direction to take this if the garage fights us. Do you go through your insurance, get a lawyer? Anyone have any experience to something similar to this?

Also, I don't think my wife did it, because she would just tell me if she did. 

First, did you wife sign a contract or anything with company that runs garage?  Or some garages give your wife a ticket each day, read the back of ticket. You need to find this document and read.  Technically valet are responsible since they are taking what’s called care, custody and control of your vehicle but it’s a high bar since you must prove damage done by them.  Good luck...

 

[Dan Lambskin]

Sleep with the valets wife

 

[culdeus]

This is a call your insurance issue.  

 

[Osaurus]

Berate the alleged wall 

 

[TLEF316]

The valet parking service will definitely have GL and garagekeepers coverage.  They're a valet parking service... The nature of their business is taking other people's vehicles into their care, custody and control. This is what their insurance is for.

Either they'll pay for it or they'll have some sort of risk transfer agreement in place for the building owner (who hired them) to pay for it on their insurance.

And if you put in a claim, the insurance company is unlikely to fight you on it. They'll spend more time and money researching it and trying to prove innocence than they would just cutting you a check.

 

[eoMMan]

Take pictures.

Post them here.

Let us decide.

We'll rate the pics 1 to 10.

Go!

 

[SWC]

i cant afford no valet but even if i did and they wrecked my car i guess with my pos car i would probably have a hard time telling brohans what i am saying is i drive a pile of crap and i feel pretty bad about it most days take that to the bank 

 

[UOFI_316]

Give the guy a Fiver next time and ask him to take extra special care of the car.  A Finski will do wonders to a guy's attitude.

 

[stlrams]

The valet parking service will definitely have GL and garagekeepers coverage.  They're a valet parking service... The nature of their business is taking other people's vehicles into their care, custody and control. This is what their insurance is for.

Either they'll pay for it or they'll have some sort of risk transfer agreement in place for the building owner (who hired them) to pay for it on their insurance.

And if you put in a claim, the insurance company is unlikely to fight you on it. They'll spend more time and money researching it and trying to prove innocence than they would just cutting you a check.

I agree but had my new car keyed in valet parking lot several years and couldn't prove it happen while in their CCC.  My claim was denied and having been in insurance for 30 years contemplated taking to small claims court but ended up just filing claim with my insurance.

 

[Major]

Acorns

 

[ChainsawU]

I would just roll thru there and be like "Yo, my car got damaged in your garage. What are the next steps we take to get this fixed?" Like it was a given that they'll take care of you. I wouldn't walk in with a chip on my shoulder. Accidents happen. No need to speculate. Get it taken care of. Maybe even roll thru there with an estimate in hand. Although that'll probably be handled thru email. Also, on the flip side, I've found myself blaming "the victim" a lot lately - so I'd have to take a long look in the mirror and ask myself if my wife could or would have done anything to deserve this. But that's just my little personal touch, thanks for letting me participate. If the valet manager gives you any push back or you become uncomfortable for any reason, just take a step back and let the professionals handle it (insurance company). But this type of thing probably happens all the time.

 

[Beef Ravioli]

You better find out where your wife really was at. 

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Start hiding keys

And any loose change.

 

[huthut]

No real updates, got the run-around with two managers each saying I need to talk to the other one. Escalated up the chain further. 

 

[culdeus]

No real updates, got the run-around with two managers each saying I need to talk to the other one. Escalated up the chain further. 

Call your insurance, full stop.  Let them take care of it.

 

[huthut]

Well, I guess if you guys are dying for an update - everything was fixed without going through insurance. The parking garage people seemed kind of sketchy in that they were definitely avoiding us and we could only get a hold of them by calling with a different phone number, but once they got somewhat cornered they paid for everything and a rental car while it was in the shop. To be fair, I think $2000 is a fair price to get my wife to stop talking to you.