Job Discussion Forums

ssjup81 · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 11:28 am Post subject: Could use some opinions

Hi all. So, about two or three weeks ago, I had a very small fender bender, if you could call it that. I was backing out of the parking lot at the conbini and tapped, barely, a parked car in the side parking area of the lot. I backed up so far because I didn't feel I had enough space in front of me to start turning in fear of tapping the car in the space next to me.

Of course the cops were called and stuff. We swapped information, the norm. When the police were investigating, they were having a tough time even finding where I'd bumped the other guy's car. It took forever to even find the scratch on mine (even in the sunlight) and the same with his car, but to be fair, it was night and they were using their flashlights, but unless you were looking for it, you wouldn't notice or see it. They found the scratch, no dents on the bumper or anything since I was going super slow anyway since I was backing out.

His insurance company is now saying that I have to pay for the repairs, understandable, it was my fault and I'm not going to deny that fact. I misjudged the distance, but they want me to shell out ￥80,000 for a blue scratch on a light-colored car that's barely noticeable unless you have bionic eyes or know exactly where to look for it. My insurance could pay this, but that'll cause my insurance to go up and I personally don't want this and feel that ￥80,000 is beyond excessive.

I'm not even sure what I should be asking here....I guess I'm venting, but has anyone ever been in this situation? Even in the US I've never had this type of experience, so this is new for me. I guess I'm a bit perturbed because up until this point, I've never had anything negative on my driving record in my nearly 16 years of driving, and now I'll probably have some type of a negative on my record....well, for Japan anyway.

Could this be a case where I'm being screwed over because I'm a foreigner? I don't like to think about that type of thing and not the type to think that anything negative that happens is because I'm a foreigner and everyone is out to discriminate against me....or could the other party just be greedy?

Maitoshi · Joined: 04 May 2014 Posts: 718 Location: 何処でも

Even for small stuff, it can get quite pricey, particularly since they need to match the paint and likely need to paint a whole panel to make it look like nothing ever happened. As you admit fault, chalk this up to experience and try to be extra cautious so that you don't have to worry oh this kind of stuff too often. 80,000¥ in 16 years? I say you've gotten off cheaply. Just my 2 yen, though Smile

ssjup81 · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 11:53 am Post subject:

Well, I was including my US time too. I've only been driving in Japan for almost two years now. Maybe about 1 1/2 years.

Oh and I found out that they want to remove the entire bumper, hence the price I suppose. Seems it would be cheaper to paint it than to remove and replace the bumper.

Big_H · Joined: 21 Dec 2013 Posts: 115

If it was your paint that got onto theirs, couldn't you (or they) use some paint polish to take it out? It's cheaper than dirt.

Then again that is if the damage really is as little as you'd mentioned

mitsui · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki

You were told the higher price. They don`t care how much it costs you.
If you just hit a wall (as I have done) you could pay less.
More if you get a new bumper or less if it is just a paint job.

I paid 40,000 when I hit some frozen snow and made a dent. It
cost me 40,000 and that was a rock bottom price.

fluffyhamster · Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2014 4:59 pm Post subject:

You think they're going to use much independent judgement, do anyone a favour and NOT do things by the book, regardless of cost (=just profit for the insurers)? Welcome to Japan! Smile

ssjup81 · Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2014 5:43 am Post subject:

Master Shake · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1202 Location: Colorado, USA

Do you have the contact info for the person you hit?

If it's not too late, why don't you call them and ask if they would be willing to drop the claim against your insurance company in exchange for some cold hard cash?

My guess that 40,000 20,000 or even 10,000 yen is much more attractive than a bumper replacement.

fluffyhamster · Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2014 11:08 am Post subject:

ssjup81 · Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2014 1:11 pm Post subject:

It's probably too late and I found out that it wasn't the insurance company who insisted on the bumper replacement but the driver. -_-

SunShan · Joined: 28 Mar 2013 Posts: 107

Pitarou · Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 1116 Location: Narita, Japan

SunShan · Joined: 28 Mar 2013 Posts: 107

[/quote]
That's because of perverse incentives in Japan's medical system, not OTT worrying. Basically, doctors get rich by prescribing heavily.[/quote]

I understand that and it's a fair point, but the Japanese are way OTT and paranoid about health. Examples I've witnessed: Going to the doctors with a cold; swilling mouth out with water every time one enters their apartment (to wash out germs - presumably the terrors that the face-mask can't handle); face masks; construction workers exercising in unison every morning before the start of work, under instruction from a megaphone. Some of it obviously works though: ageing population and all that...

Pitarou · Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 1116 Location: Narita, Japan

SunShan · Joined: 28 Mar 2013 Posts: 107

.[/quote]
For most of your examples, I don't think it's OTT. I think it's a matter of different perspective and priorities..[/quote]

OK, this is somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but my perspective and experience of the Japanese obviously differs from yours in that I find a lot of everyday trivial things absolutely ridiculous. A typical example:

How about being criticised for using too much washing-up liquid and not rinsing the plates properly? (I like bubbles and was rinsing the plates properly with lovely hot water btw) - "what about the chemicals?".
My answer: "What chemicals? What about the chemicals in the beer you drink everyday, and the seven tablets you take for a cold?" (I know the doctors are trying to make money, but these tablets are still being taken religiously).

Point taken about the doctors, but swilling your mouth out after going outside?