Supermarket Car Park 'Touch' - Am I Being Stitched Up?

datostar

Returned to my car parked in a Supermarket Car Park this morning to find a note on the windscreen alleging I had damaged the back bumper of a car parked in front of me. When I parked the car there was no indication whatsoever of any impact with the car in front of me. The allegedly damaged car had gone. Telephoned the fellow who left the note who said that my car had been touching his and had caused £200 of damage to the back bumper. I've thoroughly checked my own car and there's no trace whatsoever of any damage to the front bumper or even any sign of contact (pics taken). Suggestion made that we might be able to settle this without involving insurance - not acceptable to me - let him get on with it. If I have damaged another car I can't think that I wouldn't have been aware of it and can't help wondering if I'm being stitched up for existing damage. We've exchanged details over the phone and I'm inclined to let the insurance companies get on with it. I'm on a lifetime protected NCB.

DirectDebacle

Well you either touched his bumper or you didn't. If you didn't and the guy is not lying then how come your bumpers were touching when he returned to his vehicle?

Did he set his hanbrake properly. Did you?

Did someone push his vehicle into yours or vice versa.

Furthermore even if there was no more than a cigarette paper thickness between his bumper and yours how does he know that the damage was not caused by any vehicle parked in your space prior to you parking there?

In short there is no evidence that your vehicle caused the damage he claims and there is no evidence that if it was your vehicle that caused the damage that you were responsible.

As you say there is no evidence that his bumper was undamaged at the time he parked his vehicle, other than his say so. I think most drivers would have hung around for quite a while for the other driver to turn up and discuss the matter. Unless there was some pressing reason no to. Like it never happened for instance.;)

worried_jim

Leave the insurance company to sort it out- it's what you pay them for and with your protected ncb you have no worries regarding costs- although I do think you are being stitched up!

creased-leach

Very similar thing happened to us. We parked at Tesco in Crawley to get some in-flight munchies en route to the airport as we had time to kill. Just me & the OH, parked at the end of a row, so there was only a car on one side. Returned to find a note on the car saying "Commen (sic) courtesy. you have hit my car. There is paint, green paint, on my car. Please call XXXXXXXXX with your insurance details"

We were pretty astonished, as there is no WAY we'd hit anything. Went away for the week leaving the note in the car intending to deal with it when we got home. Arrived home to a letter from the insurers about the "Incident." Pointed out that A) we hadn't done it. we drive an espace- plastic trims go so far up the side that paint transfer would only really be likely onto a sherman tank and C) Our car is blue. :cool:

We told the insurance company that we'd be livid if they paid out. All went quiet from the other side, and there was a deadline for responding of last week- must go & get him to ring them & find out what happened.

Op, if you're sure you're not to blame, stick to your guns- I think this is happening more & more.

DirectDebacle

worried_jim wrote: »

Leave the insurance company to sort it out- it's what you pay them for and with your protected ncb you have no worries regarding costs- although I do think you are being stitched up!

Not the point. There are limitations to the amount of claims that are protected and this will use one of them up. If a claim goes against the OP then it is likely his renewal premium will increase.

paulw98

well you either hit it or you didnt?

rev_henry

Call the supermarket and ask them to check their CCTV. They're often pretty good at doing so...

datostar

paulw98 wrote: »

well you either hit it or you didnt?

Well if I did I certainly wasn't aware of it - no sudden stop, no noise, no feeling of impact, no movement of the car in front of me and not even the slightest mark on my car. I just can't see the credibility of a claim that £200 worth of damage was caused in such circumstances. Physicists tell us action and reaction are equal and opposite and forensic scientists tell us that every contact leaves a trace. No reaction effect to my car and no trace of contact!

datostar

rev_henry wrote: »

Call the supermarket and ask them to check their CCTV. They're often pretty good at doing so...

Good idea, I'll speak to them.

Thanks

aqueoushumour01

you feel even the slightest touch in a car so sounds like he's trying it on

mark5

The CCTV sounds like a good idea, if you touched his car you would have felt it.