Someone scratched my bumper and drove off - what to do?

Monkey_Joe

I appreciate that its not really a big deal but Im wondering what my options are.

It happened at the Centre Courts Car Park in Wimbledon. I went shopping, came back and noticed a small scratch on my back bumper and some silver paint (my car is red). Its a brand new car and it was not there when I parked the car, so someone must have hit my bumper trying to park next to me.

The repairs will cost around £150-200. Its not bad but why should I pay for it.

- the car park have CCTV and they are happy to look and get the registration of the person but first I need to report it to the police

I would rather do this privately since if I inform my insurer whether it my fault or not, it will be logged as an incident and it will increase my premiums next year no matter what. If I report it to the police then I guess Im legally obliged to tell me insurer and whether I make a claim or not they will !!!!!! me next year with the premiums - whether I switch insurer or not, I still have to report it as an incident.

Its going to cost under £200. Not sure what to do, is it worth the hassle pursuing this person over such a small amount on principle. In the long run it will cost me more.

Anyone been on the same boat?

As I said, its only a small scratch BUT its freaking annoying.

thenudeone

The other driver has committed a criminal offence and if there's CCTV it should be straightforward for the police to prosecute for failing to stop.

Why are the CCTV operators not willing to provide the information directly to you? You're the victim of both a civil wrong and a criminal offence and you need the information to pursue the person responsible (or their insurer) through the civil courts. Sounds like a reasonable excuse to be provided with the information, to me.

However, once you contact their insurer (after finding their details on askmid.com) there will probably be a claim recorded in the insurance industry's database, so I don't think you can avoid the problem, unless you want to forget about it completely.

System

If the scratch is so small then the other driver was probably not aware that he touched another vehicle. It doesn't take a lot to scratch paint off modern plastic bumpers. Is it actually silver paint or the undercoat?

If the impact was at such a low force that the driver was not aware then there is no offence under S170 of the RTA.

Crabman

!!!!!! wrote: »

If the impact was at such a low force that the driver was not aware then there is no offence under S170 of the RTA.

Really? Never heard of that before. How would 'low force' be defined in law?

It would take a careless driver to make contact with a non-moving object and not notice.

Quentin

Monkey_Joe wrote: »

Its going to cost under £200. Not sure what to do, is it worth the hassle pursuing this person over such a small amount on principle. In the long run it will cost me more.....

You can get an idea of how much is going to be involved by doing some virtual quotes online with and without this incident on your record as a non fault claim. (If there is a noticeable difference, remember your premium will be affected for the next 3 years.)

If the effect on the premium makes it cost effective, set your sights on tracing the third party, and claiming direct from theor insurer. (You will need to inform your own insurer of the incident, though "for information only".

System

Crabman wrote: »

It would take a careless driver to make contact with a non-moving object and not notice.

Your senses must be out of this world if you can tell the difference between not touching a vehicle and taking a 0.01mm of paint off a bumper. That sort of impact would not even register on a person's senses

jaydeeuk1

!!!!!! wrote: »

Your senses must be out of this world if you can tell the difference between not touching a vehicle and taking a 0.01mm of paint off a bumper. That sort of impact would not even register on a person's senses

Please stop driving.

Strider590

Monkey_Joe wrote: »

It happened at the Centre Courts Car Park in Wimbledon. I went shopping, came back and noticed a small scratch on my back bumper and some silver paint (my car is red). Its a brand new car and it was not there when I parked the car, so someone must have hit my bumper trying to park next to me.

It happened because 95% of drivers are too incompetent to be able to reverse park.....

I had the same damage occur to my car, some old duffer slammed into the front bumper whilst trying to swing his Toyota Avensis nose first into a small parking space.

Damage also occurs when drivers are reversing out, because they're having to concentrate on not running somebody over and they don't consider that their front end is swinging about dangerously close to the car next door.

If everyone reverse parked (competently), this stuff would almost never occur.

If I reverse into a space, I don't have to worry about what the front end is doing, because it's in a massive open space (I only need to park the back end and let the front follow) and when I drive out, I only need to look forward, it's sooooo simple..... So why do people make life so hard for themselves AND risk damaging other peoples pride and joy?

Strider590

!!!!!! wrote: »

Your senses must be out of this world if you can tell the difference between not touching a vehicle and taking a 0.01mm of paint off a bumper. That sort of impact would not even register on a person's senses

Your wrong.....

I notice the slightest change in road surface, the smallest of noises.... I know every single element of the sound and feel of my car, I know the very second something isn't right..... For example, i've recently noticed the cambelt tensioner is making more noise than usual (a very slight ticking), it's now 10k from it's next cambelt change, but i'll be getting that done as soon as possible.

If people don't know when they've hit something, they shouldn't be driving..... Next time it could be a small child.

Joe_Horner

Honestly, if it's that minor then get some T cut, some ultra-fine wet & dry (1500 grit or so) and a touch-up pen from your dealer. Start by T cutting and you'll likely find that it virtually disappears as you remove "their" paint.

Then take your time and fill the scratch layer-by-layer until it's back to the original level. Let it harden for a week or so, then sand lightly to blend it in and remove any buildup outside the scratch.

Finally, T cut again and watch it disappear. Total cost, under 20 quid, new skill learnt for any future minor marks, and huge satisfaction every time you (don't) see it.

Plus your insurers don't get to load you for it

mikey72

Strider590 wrote: »

Your wrong.....

I notice the slightest change in road surface, the smallest of noises.... I know every single element of the sound and feel of my car, I know the very second something isn't right..... For example, i've recently noticed the cambelt tensioner is making more noise than usual (a very slight ticking), it's now 10k from it's next cambelt change, but i'll be getting that done as soon as possible.

If people don't know when they've hit something, they shouldn't be driving..... Next time it could be a small child.

You didn't notice the other driver until they hit you, if we remember. As to the rest, we've seen the videos. (Wouldn't even drive it to the garage if the tickings that bad, I had mine recovered home)