1. My wife had an accident few days ago. Someone hit her car from the back she was driving alone. She was fine but the car suffered some damages. She called in to inform me and tried to manage the situation by herself. Since both of them were ladies, I trusted her and asked her to keep me updated. It was about 11 already, I said I will take half-day emergency leave and will be coming shortly.
2. Both of them went to a nearby workshop for costs estimation. The workshop said they did not do that kind of fixings, and advised them to go to a nearby service centre. There, a guy estimated the cost of fixing around 600.
3. Both parties were advised by that guy to file police reports. Due to traffic offence, the other party had to pay penalty for 300. Later, all the claims will be charged as third party. So, less hassles for the hitter.
4. After Friday prayer, I brought the car to the service center. They asked me to request few documents from the insurance company such as copies of registration cards and insurance policy. Unfortunately, it will take 3 to 5 working days starting from Monday. Then, it will take another 2 to 3 weeks to fix everything
5. Later at night, my wife and I discussed and decided to fix the car at own cost. We could not wait that long since we only have one car. We told the service guy on our plan. Then the drama started. In the name of Melayu, he said he could arrange the car to be fixed at the nearby workshop within 3 days. He would handle everything including bringing my car. They will claim the charges on third party insurance. I made few phone calls to few friends to check his story. I got advise, to drive my own car and bring it to the workshop myself. That was what I told that guy and he paused for a while.
6. That morning, the guy called me again that he could not come with me but he will share the workshop's location to me. Then he said, in the name of Melayu, he arranged a car for me to be used while my car is being fixed, at F.O.C. !!! The workshop happened to be 20km from the service center. Then, I called my brother in law, who happened to be a police. According to him, that is very risky move because if the car has any bad records, the police will arrest the driver first. Plus, why sending the car to a far workshop. Why not around? Then, I took a long pause, and decided to fix the car on my own.
7. I brought the car to the nearby workshop and asked them to fix the damage. Guess what, the cost to fix the bumper was less than 100. The dent was very minor and I can always fix it later. While waiting, the double agent called again. I said, I am not comfortable with the workshop in the middle of no where, nor driving the unknown status car. Then he said, there is another workshop within 1km radius. I ended the call due to too much bullshits.
Lessons learnt;
1. Request for the soft copies of your car documentations now. It will be handy during rainy day.
2. Don't let your ladies to handle this kind of problem alone. People tend to take advantage on them. If you are ladies and you got no backup, ask around, ask lots of questions. Get to know basic knowledges on your car and reliable nearby workshops.
3. Prepare some cash at disposal, for the rainy days.
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