Should I persue this small car insurance claim

drkildare_2

Had just parked up and was about to remove child from car seat when noticed a girl in a battered old ford focus crunch my bumper as she tried to get out of her space.

So knocked on her window got her to get out an examine the damage. Which to be honest is fairly minimal, small chip in the paint 1cm x 2mm and another fine scratch few centimeters in length.

She said this was nothing and was very surprised that I wanted her insurance details. She became a bit abusive and refused to give me her name or any details. So police were flagged down who agreed damage was minimal but if I wanted to persue a claim she should give me her details. Which she refused to give and drove off.

I've got her licence plate. I phoned my insurance company for advice (didn't give then any of my details) who told me this sounds like it would be settled as a "no fault" claim and would not affect my NCD, but couldn't gaurantee it wouldn't effect my premiums. To make things more difficult this happened in France and it may be more difficult for them to trace her insurance.

If I hadn't witnessed the girl drive into my car I wouldn't really bother with having it repaired but I feel there is a matter of principle now. Should I just accept that my car will gradually look more French every time I park on the street?

And can anyone afford to make "no fault" claims for small scratches and dents, if it affects their premium (even though NCD remains)?

scheming_gypsy

If you have UK insurance then the chances are it'll go down that you've had an accident and therefore more likely to have another one, so they'll increase your premium for the fun of it.

personally I wouldn't bother.

thegirlintheattic

May increase your premiums even though your not a fault - I personally would get out the T-Cut.

I'm more concerned about the woman refusing to give her details in front of the police and them doing nothing *eek*

Quentin

Get this checked out at a bodyshop (some bumpers contain "single use" crumple zones which absorb the impact once and need replacing - so could be a lot more involved than the small damage you see - and should you get another bump there will be no bumper to do its job causing the impact to cause much more damage to the whole body.)

rodenal

That's not quite true, there will be a crash bar(s) and or springs but the bumper itswlf does nothing. Somebody reversing out of a space certainly wont cause it to need replaced, unless she was gearing up for a J turn when she hit the op. If it was a low speed rear impact pulling up to traffic lights or such then this would possibly be the case though.

thenudeone

Are you saying that police officers were present at the scene and allowed her to drive away without taking her details after they knew she had damaged your car and refused to give you details (which is an offence)?

If so, they have clearly neglected their duty. You should make a complaint to the police.
Separately, you should ring up to report a "fail to stop" road accident and insist that it is properly investigated with the information you have.

Use the askmid website to obtain details of her insurance company for £3.75, which you can then claim from directly if you wish (although I expect there may not be one).

Gloomendoom

It happened in France. UK laws do not apply and they have a different culture when it comes to getting in and out of parking spaces. I'm not at all surprised the other driver was a bit taken aback at being asked for her insurance details.

steveo3002

use a touch in pencil and forget it , if you mention it to the insurance you will have a claim against you and have dearer insurance for the next 5 years

thenudeone

The Insurance details are shown on a green card in the front window of every car in France. perhaps that was why she was surprised to be asked.

drkildare_2

Thanks for the replies!

OK, I agree with everone that it will cost me more to take this to the insurance company. Will try the DIY option when I get home.

The French are a bit more "carefree" with their parking and explains some of the girls reaction and also why the poilice didn't take action over her failing to give her name. I didn't know about having to display a green card.

Although this specific case happened in France I could have faced exactly the same dilema over make a claim if in the UK.
For example, the other driver does give me his name and details, but doesn't want to settle it without going through the insurance companies. (the threat of loosing a no claims discount is usually enough to avoid the other party wanting to contact insurance companies)

So UK or France, your left the question, How big does the damage have to be before it makes finacial sense claim on the insurance?

A £50 pound scratch, a £100 dent or only when the bumper or only when a £500 panel is hanging off?


Whilst in my case we are talking about a £50 scratch on a vw golf would it be different if it was a buggatti veyron?