paying for damage caused to another car

noelphobic

someone I know hit someone's wing mirror yesterday and damaged it. They told the driver and gave him their details. Someone (not the driver) phoned him today and told him that Ford had given her a price of £180 to fix it. She said she doesn't have the money so wants him to pay it, which he is willing to do, although still debating whether to claim on the insurance.

However, from what was said, it seems that the car wasn't actually taken in to Ford but that they gave this price over the phone. The person who damaged the car has been told to phone Ford to confirm the price. I can't see how they can give an accurate price without seeing the damage and am worried in case this money is paid and then they come back and say more is owed. Obvously if it is put through as an insurance claim then the owner of the damaged car would also need to claim on their insurance and get them to arrange the repair, their insurance company would then need to contact the insurance company of the owner or driver who damaged the car and claim back from them. Any advice before anything is agreed?

molerat

The owner of the damaged car can go directly to the other persons insurance company or employ an accident management company to do the donkey work. They only need to inform their insurers. A mirror is usually a fairly quick but expensive unit swap. Mine are about £110 from Ford and is a simple 1 bolt and an electric plug, 1/2 hr labour plus possible paint for the cover. (or £20 off ebay and did it myself after a pheasant strike)

noelphobic

molerat wrote: »

The owner of the damaged car can go directly to the other persons insurance company or employ an accident management company to do the donkey work. They only need to inform their insurers. A mirror is usually a fairly quick but expensive unit swap. Mine are about £110 from Ford and is a simple 1 bolt and an electric plug, 1/2 hr labour.

I am the owner of the car, although a named driver was driving at the time and I wasn't with them. I'm not complaining but the price actually seems low to me. I damaged my wing mirror a few months ago (my fault, not my named driver's and no other vehicles involved, only a wall!) I didn't have my mirror replaced, I just had it repaired as a replacement was so expensive (£140 or thereabouts I think). I paid £180 for the repair, although that included some work on the damaged door.

Is it also true that I have to inform my insurer even if i decide not to claim but just get my named driver to pay for the repairs? Presumably if I do advise them it won't affect my no claims bonus but will potentially make renewal more expensive - not trying to get out of informing them, just need to know what's best to do.

Sgt_Pepper_2

noelphobic wrote: »

I am the owner of the car, although a named driver was driving at the time and I wasn't with them. I'm not complaining but the price actually seems low to me. I damaged my wing mirror a few months ago (my fault, not my named driver's and no other vehicles involved, only a wall!) I didn't have my mirror replaced, I just had it repaired as a replacement was so expensive (£140 or thereabouts I think). I paid £180 for the repair, although that included some work on the damaged door.

Is it also true that I have to inform my insurer even if i decide not to claim but just get my named driver to pay for the repairs? Presumably if I do advise them it won't affect my no claims bonus but will potentially make renewal more expensive - not trying to get out of informing them, just need to know what's best to do.

Read your policy document it will tell you what to do.

But in short yes you should tell them.

Joe_Horner

£140 sounds about right, give or take a little. We had one broken by the local bin men a couple of years ago and Mitsubishi wanted £150+Vat for the replacement (I fitted it myself). Just make sure that the price quoted wasn't excluding VAT because the other car's owner may not have realised if it is.

Regarding telling your insurance, yes you should declare it at renewal under the "accidents or claims" question even if you don't claim. But, if it's settled without any record, whether or not you do is a matter for your conscience, of course

Sgt_Pepper_2

Joe_Horner wrote: »

£140 sounds about right, give or take a little. We had one broken by the local bin men a couple of years ago and Mitsubishi wanted £150+Vat for the replacement (I fitted it myself). Just make sure that the price quoted wasn't excluding VAT because the other car's owner may not have realised if it is.

Regarding telling your insurance, yes you should declare it at renewal under the "accidents or claims" question even if you don't claim. But, if it's settled without any record, whether or not you do is a matter for your conscience, of course

He may have to tell them at the time and not renewal time, hence why I said read the policy document.

noelphobic

Joe_Horner wrote: »

£140 sounds about right, give or take a little. We had one broken by the local bin men a couple of years ago and Mitsubishi wanted £150+Vat for the replacement (I fitted it myself). Just make sure that the price quoted wasn't excluding VAT because the other car's owner may not have realised if it is.

Regarding telling your insurance, yes you should declare it at renewal under the "accidents or claims" question even if you don't claim. But, if it's settled without any record, whether or not you do is a matter for your conscience, of course

It was actually £180, not £140 (£140 was what I was quoted a while ago to replace my mirror). I am hoping the £180 includes labour charges. Good tip about the VAT. Yet another reason to get something in writing before agreeing anything. I have spoken to the other owner and she is getting a written price from Ford. I have told her I will get back to her when I can look at my own car and see if that needs repairing, as that will affect whether I make an insurance claim or not.