MMD: Should I make my son pay for his mistake?

mike_x1x

make him pay any excess, that seems a fairer lesson.
After all the damage was minor and that's why we have insurance anyway.

crmism

By the time I was your son's age, I'd had two motorcycles and bought myself a car. I'd had one minor incident and dealt with the repair costs and insurance claim myself, and certainly did not expect my parents to bail me out.

In your case, I rather think it's time he bought his own and took full responsibility for his actions. The premium loading for you is bad enough post-accident, but there's no reason why he shouldn't pay the full cost of repair and replacement as a lesson to drive more carefully.

There are plenty of cheap second-hand cars on the market, and the spares for them are easily obtainable and affordable, and the insurance costs are comparatively low. Your son will quickly learn how to maintain one and, knowing that it's his, will drive defensively. Your vehicle and insurance can then be left intact.

artroc42

If it wasn't fully discussed and agreed beforehand then no you should not make him pay.

Disneyparisfan

Seriously? Why let him use your car (and pay the additional premium for having a young driver) if you are going to go all victorian dad if he has an accident? Or was this a thought that it would be cheaper with him on your insurance than helping him fund his own car and insurance?? if so, caught out on that one. It could be worse I'm sure. The rozzers could have been uppity and he could be getting charged with careless driving (which would have set you back a lot more than a repair!) or worse, he could have been injured! He paid his dues to use the car. Man up and take the hit. If you're so put out that you might have to pay for higher premiums next year then then don't put him back on your insurance.

Patricia01

If he pays towards the running costs, presumably that includes the insurance - and the increase after the claim. Doesn't that count as responsibility?

Fireflyaway

It was an accident. If it can be repaired with cash then that might be preferable to denting the no claims and increasing next years premium. Maybe pay some each? I'd like to think if my child did similar he would offer to pay. However that would be sufficient, I'd pay the bill.

Throwaway1

The insurance should cover it, with your son paying the excess. If the reason the dad is wanting paying is because you are avoiding going through the insurance then that isn't your son's fault or choice so he shouldn't have to pay for the decision. The premium going up is a risk you take regardless of who has the accident so I think the only thing he should pay for is the excess (and if avoiding the insurance then the dad should pay any difference on top).

1886

I'd say cut the kid a bit of slack. He's a new driver so he has v little experience. There can't be many new drivers out there who haven't had a scrape. All of our work fans are trashed from young lads driving them with v little experience

You don't have to get it repaired. If the car isn't worth much there's not much point. Also, him being on your insurance means he isn't building up his own no claims. He needs to start at some point

I would let him off as you say yourself it's quite a small dent

PasturesNew

Is it a posh car? Does it really matter too much?

You might give him the option of having a go at working out how to fix it himself, with/without a couple of mates.... on the basis he can't make it worse. But not if you've got a posh car. He could get one from a scrappie maybe, bit of spray paint and some fine sanding paper to match it in, job's a good 'un ... but probably not if you've got a posh car.

Or you might decide "that's what bumpers are for" and learn to laugh about it "you should've seen the other car!" ....

It depends how important it is in the big scheme of things. And how much it will really have affected the value of the car at the time you come to flog it.

Cathykjz

It was your's and your husband's decision to allow him to use your car, knowing full well the risks that entailed.
If you didn't want to take such risks then you shouldn't have allowed him to drive your car.
Your insurance will cover it, just as if it was you or your husband who had the accident. Would you or your husband be punished financially for a similar mistake?