Scratched someones car - wanting me to pay over the odds for it

sillybilly2011

Hi

I scratched the neighbors car 7 days ago. I went to the person door and owned up to it. We agreed that i would pay for it at a garage rather than through the insurance.

The following day I phoned him with a spray painter and his details, I had paid for it and got it all arranged. I thought that was it.

Today, I got an arrogant phone call saying he was going to someone else who was 3 times the cost of the one i had paid for and if i didn't go to that person, he would go to a more expensive garage or go through my insurance.

I do not understand why people are like this ?! His car was already covered in scratches and admitted at the time his car got scratched on a monthly basis because of where he lived.

Will I just need to pay up for the more expensive quote?

Thanks

DUTR

Go through the insurance, next time if nobody sees you, then it didn't happen

fivetide

DUTR wrote: »

next time if nobody sees you, then it didn't happen

Seriously? I hope it never happens to you. It might be called karma...

Go through insurance. Point out that the new quote is way more than your excess. Remind him that even though he's not technically claiming on his, he needs to let them know and chances are his premium will rise anyway because there will be a claim registered against his car.

Trouble is you are over a barrel as you won't have told your insurer I suspect and he can demand it is fixed at the dealers if he wants.

I'd put the wind up him a bit and call his bluff. Trying to make a wee profit I think. Either his mate runs the other garage or he's trying to get you to cough up for a more serious respray.

That's assuming your quote isn't your mate in his own garage with a rattle can from Halfords!

Quentin

Inform your insurer ASAP, (a 7 day delay won't be a problem), then leave them to deal with this.

Your neighbour is entitled to have the repair done at his choice of garage, and you are liable for all the costs your negligence is responsible for, and these aren't confined to the garage bill! (eg he is entitled to a hire car whilst his is in for repair)

If the ultimate cost is worth it, you can still reinstate any lost ncd by reimbursing your insurer their outlay over this.

sillybilly2011

fivetide wrote: »

That's assuming your quote isn't your mate in his own garage with a rattle can from Halfords!

Ha Ha love it!!! I wish it was. Nah, it was a reputable garage that gave me a cheap quote and I have been told through word of mouth he is good.

I just don't understand why I should pay nearly triple the price for the exact same job! I phoned the guy he wanted me to go to and told me that it will take him 3 hours to remove the bumper and that is why it will be triple the cost as everyone else. That was seriously his reason.

I am seriously tempted to go through insurance and pay over the odds that way out of spite because the insurance said they will take his car to the cheapest quote they get nearby. haha

artbaron

How big was the scratch, where was it, what was quoted (both times) and what car is it? It might be that the original quote was for a bodge job and the owner has every right to get the scratch repaired properly.

Robisere

Contact your Insurance and alert them to what this guy is up to, which is attempting to use your honesty to repair more damage than caused by your own actions.

Quentin

sillybilly2011 wrote: »

I am seriously tempted to go through insurance and pay over the odds that way out of spite because the insurance said they will take his car to the cheapest quote they get nearby. haha

Your insurer has mislead you!

The third party can insist his car is repaired at his choice of repairer.

And now you have informed your insurer you may as well let them sort it (the incident will be recorded and you will now have to disclose it to other insurers you approach over the next 3 to 5 years depending on the length of history they ask for).

As previously posted if you have unprotected NCD to lose over this, then you can get it reinstated by reimbursing your insurer their outlay.

sillybilly2011

artbaron wrote: »

How big was the scratch, where was it, what was quoted (both times) and what car is it? It might be that the original quote was for a bodge job and the owner has every right to get the scratch repaired properly.

The scratch can only be seen if you bend down really close to look for it. About 2 cm. a 2001 car with scratches all over it.

The garage I paid for is a reputable garage with qualified spray painters , i phoned other garages near by and they quote approx the same £100-£120.

This guy the person wanted for the same job says it will take him at least three hours to take the bumper off so he wants at £260 for the job.

I know it isn't a lot of money, it is just the principle of him agreeing with it the following day after the incident and calling me 7 days later being really nasty. He wouldn't let me put a word in and kept saying down the phone I will do as he says etc.

If he phoned me and was friendly and polite about the matter and explained his reasons It would be a different story. He just demanded after knowing I had everything arranged for him the week previously that he wanted to go somewhere else 3 times the price. If i don't pay he will go through my insurance. That was my options basically.

Quentin

sillybilly2011 wrote: »

.... If i don't pay he will go through my insurance. That was my options basically.

Sounds about right!

But now you have told your insurer let them deal with this rather than you getting involved in an argument you cannot win as it was all your fault in the first place!

Wh05apk

What are the actual costs involved, and how much damage was done, for all we know the guy you wanted to use could have been a spray can bodger, and your neighbour simply wants a "decent" job done?