Moron driver hit my parked car & drove away!

Tilt

rosie383 wrote: »

I had my car written off by a driver who failed to stop. My car was parked on a public road at the time, but 2 witnesses came forward and gave me details of what had happened and the reg plate of the offending car.
Police weren't interested, but my insurance company chased them and eventually we got a full settlement as our car was written off. Had a courtesy car for about 5 months while we were waiting.
We did have legal cover at the time and that helped a lot. Have had similar to the OP happen to both of our cars recently and haven't pursued it as no witnesses. GRRRRR! Just have to live with the damage or pay it ourselves.

I would of taken it further. There is an offence of failing to stop on the statute books to which the police have to investigate if a report is made.

SevenOfNine

Thanks all for views/comments/advice - much appreciated.

Have the legal cover with insurance (think it's compulsory) and plan to push them to take this as far as we can. There's no doubt in my mind that this twit knew full well he/she had got their car 'wedged' against ours, they've dragged off streaks of paint for 2 1/2 feet (& left someof their own)! Thank goodness the guy who saw this was kind enough to take down some details - he said this is one of his "pet hates".

The Police suggested that we might like to 'wait' until they'd written to the owner, as they might want to settle this without using our insurers!!! We were speechless - why on earth would we want to trust someone to cough up for the damage who wasn't honest enough to come into the play centre to find us in the first place. It's not as if we could possibly be anywhere else. Anyway, I'd much prefer their insurer know about it - and the circumstances surrounding it.

We have no claims bonus protection, but no doubt this will create problems over the next few years, even if it's just difficulties 'renewing' on line.

Sgt_Pepper_2

SevenOfNine wrote: »

Thanks all for views/comments/advice - much appreciated.

Have the legal cover with insurance (think it's compulsory) and plan to push them to take this as far as we can. There's no doubt in my mind that this twit knew full well he/she had got their car 'wedged' against ours, they've dragged off streaks of paint for 2 1/2 feet (& left someof their own)! Thank goodness the guy who saw this was kind enough to take down some details - he said this is one of his "pet hates".

The Police suggested that we might like to 'wait' until they'd written to the owner, as they might want to settle this without using our insurers!!! We were speechless - why on earth would we want to trust someone to cough up for

the damage who wasn't honest enough to come into the play centre to find us in the first place. It's not as if we could possibly be anywhere else. Anyway, I'd much prefer their insurer know about it - and the circumstances surrounding it.

We have no claims bonus protection, but no doubt this will create problems over the next few years, even if it's just difficulties 'renewing' on line.

If they choose to settle without using the insurance that's up to them.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

Sgt_Pepper wrote: »

If they choose to settle without using the insurance that's up to them.

its not upto them at all.

the OP car was hit by them, its upto the OP if they wish to accept a blindside payment or go through insurers.

Sgt_Pepper_2

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

its not upto them at all.

the OP car was hit by them, its upto the OP if they wish to accept a blindside payment or go through insurers.

The other party can pay back the insurance and keep their no claims.

olly300

SevenOfNine wrote: »

Have the legal cover with insurance (think it's compulsory)

It's not but makes life easier when you have issues like this.

You can have legal cover on other insurances that would cover you for this but it would be a case of you checking that you have cover before renewing insurance without it.

SevenOfNine wrote: »

We have no claims bonus protection, but no doubt this will create problems over the next few years, even if it's just difficulties 'renewing' on line.

As long as you don't have more than 2 claims in 3 year you will be fine.

Depending on the company they may increase your insurance premium or leave it the same.

I managed to renew with a different company while my insurance claim went through as it was no-fault like yours. I did pay more for my insurance but I choose to partly because my then current insurer were useless.

The police aren't interested in traffic accidents if no-one is injured/killed and the cars involved are insured.

Tilt

olly300 wrote: »

It's not but makes life easier when you have issues like this.

You can have legal cover on other insurances that would cover you for this but it would be a case of you checking that you have cover before renewing insurance without it.


As long as you don't have more than 2 claims in 3 year you will be fine.

Depending on the company they may increase your insurance premium or leave it the same.

I managed to renew with a different company while my insurance claim went through as it was no-fault like yours. I did pay more for my insurance but I choose to partly because my then current insurer were useless.

The police aren't interested in traffic accidents if no-one is injured/killed and the cars involved are insured.

Maybe but they have an obligation to investigate when an accident has been caused by a traffic offence or there is a case of failing to stop and it is reported formally to them.

Crabman

Tilt wrote: »

Maybe but they have an obligation to investigate when an accident has been caused by a traffic offence or there is a case of failing to stop and it is reported formally to them.

Those obligations rarely translate into actions as countless threads on here confirm, "police did nothing" and "police weren't interested."

It's difficult to blame individual officers though. Although approximately 3000 people will die on the roads this year, they cut back road policing resources and instead pander to the imbecile members of the public/press who want "bobbies on the beat" (despite the fact a police officer on foot patrol is almost useless in terms of deployment).

Tilt

I agree Crabman and its probably down to man power and what they deem to be the highest priority etc. From my experiences, you really have to take the bull by the horns and be very persistent in such circumstances for them to act.

But at then end of the day they are there to enforce the laws and in the OP's case, the law 'failing to stop' has been broken.

SevenOfNine

I have utomost respect for the Police, and appreciate their workload. They have said they'll write to the car owner and TBH I don't expect much more from them.

I just found it astounding that they'd suggest we wait to see if the 'offender' wants to settle without involving insurers............the other driver being such an honest, upstanding citizen, they hit our car and simply drove off!

If there's any 'settling' it's not going to be with our agreement. Solicitor has just called to advise they will be handling attempts to retrieve our "uninsured losses" - excess. Also spoke with witness today, who is fully 'on board' (& confirmed it was a female driver).

Will have to sit back now and let this run it's course.