Intermediate Listening Practice

Dana: You know what happened to me on Saturday?

Mike: No. What?

Dana: Someone hit my car. In a parking lot.

Mike: Are you okay?

Dana: Yeah, I'm fine. I wasn't even moving. I was parked outside the grocery store, sitting in the car, checking my phone. And this guy in a big truck just reversed straight into me.

Mike: You're kidding.

Dana: I wish I was. The noise was so loud. I looked up and his bumper was right against my door. For a second I just sat there because I couldn't believe it had actually happened.

Mike: Did you get out and talk to him?

Dana: Of course. I got out and he got out and the first thing he said was, "Why were you parked so close?"

Mike: He said that to you?

Dana: He did. He said I was parked too close to his truck and that's why he couldn't see me. But I was in a normal spot, Mike. A regular parking space. I wasn't over any lines.

Mike: So he tried to blame you.

Dana: He tried. I told him I was parked properly and that he should have checked behind him. He didn't like that. He kind of shrugged and said, "Well, it's just a small dent." And I said, "It's not small, actually. Look at it."

Mike: How bad is the damage?

Dana: There's a big dent in the rear bumper and some scratches on the panel above it. The bumper might need to be replaced. I haven't got a quote yet.

Mike: Did you take photos?

Dana: Yeah, I took photos of everything. His truck, my car, the parking space, the licence plate. I've done this before, unfortunately.

Mike: Did he give you his information?

Dana: Eventually. He wasn't exactly eager about it. I asked for his name, phone number, and insurance details. He gave me his name and number but said he didn't have his insurance card with him. He said he'd text it to me later.

Mike: And did he?

Dana: Not yet. That was two days ago.

Mike: You should call your own insurance company and report it. Don't wait for him. If he doesn't send his details, your insurance company can track him down through the licence plate.

Dana: I know. I've been putting it off because I hate dealing with insurance. The last time I had a claim, it took three months to sort out and my rate went up even though it wasn't my fault.

Mike: That's the annoying part. But if you don't report it, you're paying for the repair yourself, and a new bumper isn't cheap.

Dana: I know, I know. I'll call them today. It's just frustrating because I didn't do anything wrong. I was literally sitting still in a parking spot.

Mike: Did anyone else see it happen?

Dana: There was a woman loading her car a few spaces away. She came over afterwards and said she saw the whole thing. She said it was clearly his fault. I got her number too, just in case.

Mike: Smart. That helps a lot if he tries to argue later.

Dana: That's what I thought. I thanked her about five times.

Mike: Have you driven the car since?

Dana: Yeah, it's driveable. The dent is cosmetic. It just looks terrible and it makes a weird rattling noise when I go over bumps, which is new.

Mike: Get the quote first, then call insurance. And text that guy one more time about his insurance card. Keep it polite, but make sure you have it in writing that you asked.

Dana: Good idea. I'll do that on my lunch break.

Mike: And don't worry about it. You have the photos, you have a witness, and you were parked. It's pretty clear-cut.

Dana: I hope so. I just want my car fixed and I don't want to pay for it.

Mike: You shouldn't have to. That's what insurance is for.