Help NEEDED - Car Scratch that will cost £500!!

Big_Momma_3

I really need anyone's advice on this - as I am totally at a loss at how to deal with this!

I was told that my 5 year old son has scratched a person's car in a car park - with the brake handle of his bike (I presume as the handle is covered in black rubber.)

I have since been asked to pay £500 to have the scratch touched up - as it is a new vehicle and will require the whole door (?) being removed.

I cannot afford to pay out £500 - especially at this time of year, and I wondered what the situation is with claiming on insurance (theirs/ours) and how they can prove that my son did the damage - as I never saw it, and I am not sure who actually saw it happen?!

Any help please?

tomstickland

An independant body shop could probably do the job for 1/5th of that.
Did your son do it? Did you know when he did it? What evidence is there?

Big_Momma_3

I only have their word that my son did it... and there is no evidence beyond that and this scratch.

Can I make them have it repaired where I want - if I am paying... and also does a home insurance accidental damage poilcy cover something like this (which is away from the home and by a child?!)

ritaing

Hi, My husband was in asda car park and a child opened the back door of her car denting the back door of our car my husband told her and she said very little and just drove off.Dont think they can do anything about it he is under age for prosecution i think but not sure.

Februarycat

We got our car scratched and dented in the car park about a fortnight ago, it cost us £150 which was bad enough, but £500 does sound a lot. Unfortunately we had to pay ourselves. I would have thought they would have not charged you anything with it being a 5 year old who did it. Hope you manage to find a solution
:snow_grin

Aletank

Have a look at Chips Away http://www.chipsaway.co.uk/repair/index.asp normally charge about £80 a panel and are spot on !!
Get your Yellow Pages out for yor local franchise.
Tell the person you will have the car repaired and if they are not satisfied with the repair to take it where they want then.

Bossyboots

My friend's new car was recently damaged in a car park just days after taking delivery. He bought some touch up paint and repaired the damage himself.

I think you are being taken for a ride (so to speak).

Also, if they cannot prove your son did it, why are they saying he did and what does your son have to say about it?

losgiganteskid

If you have house contents/buildings insurance you will find that your policy will cover you or members of your family for claims against you of this nature - personal liability. Suggest you put this matter in the hands of your insurers who will, investigate on your behalf the circumstances, request witnesses etc, and deal with what could be an over priced estimate.

tightrs

i had my car repaired after a hit and run that cost me £250 and was at a mates housewhen a child of about 8 rode down the side of my car i was annoyed but surely this boy and yours are under any age for criminal acts and they have not done it on purpose. i would tell them to whistle for their money and t cut it out.i did mine with t cut and could hardly notice it after.

Bossyboots

They may be under the age for criminal responsibility, but it is never too early to start teaching them moral liability. If the OP's son did cause the damage to the car I do not think it unreasonable to ask them to pay (although in reality I would like to think that most people wouldn't) but the people involved here are clearly trying to milk the situation. My friend mentioned above considers his car his pride and joy and even he was prepared to sort his own paintwork out.

I would ask the lad whether he is likely to have caused the damage and/or ask the car owner what proof they have that he did. It is one thing to take responsibility for one's own actions, another entirely to have someone rip you off over a simple mistake, particularly one involving a small child.

Big_Momma_3

Thanks for the link to CHIPSAWAY! I will give them a try - as they come highly recommended by the looks. I do want to do the 'morally right thing'... so just hope they have a franchise locally.