Car dented in car park

pitkin2020

Peter, all you need to do for reporting the crime is to call the local police station (don't use 999 like some muppets would lol), explain the situation regarding the damage and the fact that there is the possibility of CCTV footage. They will take all the details and give you a crime ref number. Don't expect them to come out though or take it any further than the telephone call as there won't be a lot they can do TBH, they will more than likely tell you its a civil matter. If they really can't be bothered (which maybe the case) tell them you need to report it so you can get a crime number for the insurers.

Now you have a crime ref number follow newfoundglory's advice in trying to obtain the CCTV footage and take it from there. Hopefully you can get a car reg from the CCTV. If you obtain a car reg go onto the insurance database, pay a couple of quid for an insurance search and contact the other drivers insurance stating you have evidence etc.

I would also go and get a couple of quotes for the damage to be repaired in the meantime so you can contact the insurance company with a figure.

BTW just because you get a crime ref number you don't need to involve your own insurance company, I wouldn't call them at all. You seem more than capable of dealing with this yourself and you will get a far better outcome doing it yourself. Your insurance company won't go to great lengths to make the other person pay.

Good luck

scheming_gypsy

pitkin2020 wrote: »

I would also go and get a couple of quotes for the damage to be repaired in the meantime so you can contact the insurance company with a figure.

personally i'd modify that to..

..... so you can contact the insurance company with a figure if you can trace the other person.

if the OP can't then it'd be cheaper to pay for it himself. Obviously as there's only him involved then there's no chance it's going to appear on any insurance database as being an accident... So if he goes to the insurance company to report 'for information only' it'll affect his premium for 3 - 5 years; and if he claims it'll cost £xxx in excess and then increase premiums. Probably be able to get it pulled out for the cost of the excess.

blacksta

Or the other option is to forget about it - There is more to life than a small dent on a car loosing value every day.

scheming_gypsy

Peter2006 wrote: »

Came down to the car in a Travelodge car park this morning to find a whacking great dent in the driver's door, from what I guess was someone opening their door into mine with considerable force.

?

blacksta wrote: »

Or the other option is to forget about it - There is more to life than a small dent on a car loosing value every day.

little difference there!

not that i disagree fully. Changes are pretty slim of finding out who did it and a door from the breakers / having it pulled out won't break the bank.

Woody._2

pitkin2020 wrote: »

they will more than likely tell you its a civil matter. If they really can't be bothered (which maybe the case) tell them you need to report it so you can get a crime number for the insurers.

If they decide it's civil ie not a criminal matter then why would they issue a crime number?

blacksta

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

little difference there!

not that i disagree fully. Changes are pretty slim of finding out who did it and a door from the breakers / having it pulled out won't break the bank.

Also the cost of the OP premium's going up just because they have made a 100 pounds claim - I guess one would have to consider all options

Strider590

I think I have to agree...... With myself

Probably not worth chasing, you'll pay for it in the long run.

Next time, park further away across the carpark and if it's not busy, take up two spaces. Or just reduce the risk of damage by 50%, by simply parking in a an end space
If anyone says owt, just say "i'll park in one space, when people get some respect for other peoples property".

McKneff

blacksta wrote: »

Also the cost of the OP premium's going up just because they have made a 100 pounds claim - I guess one would have to consider all options

£100
:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

My small boot door from my KA was about £600.

OP, you still have to inform your insurance company whether you claim or not, its in your contract with them.

scheming_gypsy

McKneff wrote: »

OP, you still have to inform your insurance company whether you claim or not, its in your contract with them.

will you stop with that!!!

he's got a dent in his door and he's buying a new door for it / having it removed. There is no need to tell your insurance company unless you're a complete !!!!!!! who enjoys wasting money.

fivetide

McKneff wrote: »

£100

OP, you still have to inform your insurance company whether you claim or not, its in your contract with them.

No he doesn't. He hasn't had an accident or a claim made against him.

If it is 'football sized' is there a chance it was made by a football? Could be kids booting a ball about deliberately.

I had a similar issue in a Tesco car car park. I actually saw the person do it though and stopped them driving off. Police went and interviewed them as it was land open to the public, therefore governed by the Road Traffic Act.

The dent in the door was about a foot in length as the door it's self had a nice shape to it that clearly squashed easy.

In the end a local dent master chap recommended by a dealer sorted it out for £40 as the paint wasn't cracked/scratched. You couldn't tell anything had happened once he'd done.

5t.