Tried to sort it out the nice way, but maybe now it's time to get messy?

MrBloater

Evening

Was involved in a minor scrape last week (see pictures below) - mine is the blue car. Exchanged details with the driver of the white car and asked her to get a quote to get the scrape fixed. She has come back with £275 (and the name of the repair place). This strikes me as a little excessive, especially as she was on double yellows with the side of her car sticking out into the middle of the road as I tried to navigate around (this is right outside a school).

My questions for any of you learned people (I've never claimed on car insurance in my life) are as follows.
- How much is this going to hurt my premiums next year (I currently have a 5 years NCB) and a very fair price overall? Would it still be cheaper to cough up the cash myself - not that I can find £275 in one go anyway...
- Or should I play hardball, perhaps she was not without fault, and maybe I should be looking at her company stumping up to get mine fixed? As far as fault goes, I was definitely moving at low speed, I am not sure whether the scrape happened because she was beginning to reverse as I edged past.

Any wise owls please hoot.

Thanks.
My car

White car

Parked

lizziebabe

I am in no way an expert but....

Firstly there are no photos. She was parked illegally. If you were involved in an accident I believe you have to inform your insurance company, they will surely find in your favour as she shouldn't have been parked there in the first place. I wouldn't pay her anything, if you have a photo of her parked on double yellows she can't claim off you as she was parked illegally.

I'm sure someone who is more knowledgeable will be on soon.

Sally_A

Mr B, if your insurance is say £1000 less 5yrs ncb at 65% = £350 per year, it would step back to 50% or 40% ( see policy booklet for ncb criteria), next year would be £500 if step back to 50%, and not allowing for increases in rates, year after say £400, if your policy goes 50% -> 60% -> 65%, so there's £200 through loss of bonus.

I'd call the bodyshop and ask if he'd do it for £200 cash ;-)

Get Mrs White-Car to agree, and get it signed that this is the end of it, and there were no passengers that are going to crawl out the woodwork for £1500 whiplash each.

Can't see the pics you mention, so can't see the age of the third Party vehicle, or your own.

BertTheRaccoon

The parked on yellow lines issue has absolutely no merits in getting you out of liability. I don't know if there are any pictures showing as I am viewing on my mobile.
Personally, if she confirms that she has not informed her insurance co and if you haven't informed yours, I would pay her off and be done with it.

mandragora_2

She was parked (ok, on yellow lines, but she was stationary, right?) and you drove into her? I don't fancy your chances of getting anywhere if you try to say she's liable - probably a bit of a lost cause that one.

forgotmyname

She was parked and you hit it so its your fault.

Have you got quotes to get yours fixed? Painting is not cheap.

Do they need to replace any of that trim also?

If they informed their insurance then you need to inform yours even if you decide to settle for cash. Its an incident.

Sally_A

Mr B - what is the cost of your repairs, seems to be 2 panels there, what model, year is it?; guessing approx. £350- £400 repairs.

If Mrs white-Car is claiming, you may as well put in for your own repairs if it is above your excess, and you are fussed on repairing your own car.

You can only lose your ncb once per incident.