Paying Car Repairs Privately - my fault

Mojomarm

Hi everyone - I'm after some advice please. I've had a quick look through the forum and couldn't spot a similar thread.

A few weeks ago I had an 'incident' in a multi-stoery car park and ending up scratching the bumper of the car in the space next to me. I ended up doing more damage to my car than the other one but after looking at the scratch, it was pretty obivous that a new paint job was needed and as it was completely my fault, I left my details on the windscreen of the car for the driver to get in touch as any responsible driver should.

So far everything has gone pretty smoothly. She is happy enough for me to pay for the repair on her car directly and has got quotes from 2 different garages in the area that reasonable for the damage done and the repair work involved. We've both said that we are happy for the work to be done through one of these garages and it'll hopefully be booked in next week.

Not having been in this situation before, I just want to check that I'm not leaving myself open to abuse from either the garage, or the driver wanting to claim more than they should (not that I suspect she would but it's easier to deal with this correctly now).

I've suggested that the best way to do things, would be for her to tell the garage to invoice me directly for the work so I can pay them and I've said it's OK for her to give them my mobile number & email address to contact me for this. I'd guess it's better that I pay the garage directly, rather than reimburse her.

I'm also wondering if it's worth asking her to sign something saying that once this paint repair has been completed, I am no longer liable for any further work on the car that may arise because of the contact in future and I will not be asked to pay any further contribution to any future work on the car. Does this sound over the top?

forgotmyname

Get them to sign what you like, I doubt it will of any use.

Whilst in for repair they may find something they could not check before work started, Or the owner
may not find out about some damage until much later after the visible damage has been repaired.

Getting the car repaired and invoiced to you may leave them with no warranty if any complain arises later.

What if they are not happy with the repair? Who pays you or the garage?

Nothing stopping them making a claim later on. And your insurance will want to know why you failed to declare it.


If you think your going to get ripped off, Let the insurance sort it.

paddedjohn

op, theres nothing to stop you paying for the repairs yourself it happens all the time but you must cover your self by informing your insurance company of the incident or it could come back to bite you in the future.

slyracoon

As mentioned by the others. You can settle it privately but you have an obligation to inform your insurer. Just phone them and tell them its for information only and no claim is arising at this stage.

However you pay and whatever you make them sign theres nothing stopping them contacting you insurer in say 2 months to claim further damages, at which point your insurer will ask why you failed to declare an accident.

Its the best way to cover your back.

Mojomarm

Many thanks everyone - didn't realise you could notify your insurers of 'incidents' and not make a claim. Thought it was claim or nothing to be honest. Have told them what's happended so everyone is in the know now.