Personally, I'd still make the Lexus owner pay for the damage. If he is not a jerk, then he shouldn't have a problem taking responsibility for his mistake. If he uses his insurance to pay for his own repairs, then it shouldn't make any difference to him if the insurance covers your costs as well.
If you do try the "tree think", keep in mind that if it does work the reciever may become a dangerous projectile. A "Darwin Award" is a definite possibility.