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fivetide

PDC wrote: »

To play devils advocate here, I think if someone drove into my car and then told me it was an old car, not worth repairing, and that my insurance might go up because of the accident I don't think it would make me feel any better toward the other driver.

But I wouldn't word it in that way would I? That would be antagonistic

Besides, the point about a non-fault claim increasing insurance is true. They'll pay for it anyway (more than likely)

Aretnap

The effect of a no fault claim on your insurance premium is often massively overstated. Last time I had a play on GoCompare I found that a recent £1000 no fault rear end shunt would mean my cheapest quote was something like £258 instead of £253. It would take the insurers a long time to get the £1000 back from me at that rate. I certainly wouldn't be deterred from making a claim if I wasn't at fault.

fivetide

But if you were a young driver like the OP? If you had other claims? We don't know anything about the other party so whilst what you say is true in your case, for the third party in the OP's case it might be a more difficult decision between £100 in hand and a bit of t-cut versus a nice shiny new door and being out of pocket (by however much it might be)

adouglasmhor

I similarly damaged an older car in a car park (though I was going forwards when it happened). It cost me a scratch repair kit some T-cut and a bottle of wine from M&S to smooth things over.
Better than involving the insurance people.
I did have to eat a bit of humble pie and I was genuinely sorry, which made keeping it out the insurance world easier.

adamvore

As per my opinion no need to go with police, Approaching insurance company will be enough.

arcon5

McKneff wrote: »

I always wonder why the person who has done the damage always plays it down

Damage wasn't that bad tbh; bit of paint came away and a few scratches/scuffs to my wheel arch (not worth claiming for) and the only damage to his door was about a 6 inch white mark from where I'd reversed into it.

If you had done this to my car I would be livid, it doesn't matter how much damage is done, your flippant attitude would insense me.
It can cost just as much to repair an old car as a new one.

I would insist that its done through insurance, even if it was just to teach you to drive more carefully and have a bit more respect afterwards about other peoples feelings.

And if you look at your T&C,s it is a requirement in every insurance polity to inform your ins. company of any 'incident' you are now more of a risk. Not informing them and them finding out later can invalidate any insurance claim in the future.

Not everybody is as bitter and twisted as you fortunately. Most would be happy with a private settlement, accepting that as humans were not perfect and do make mistakes and not feel the need to go on a 'ill teach you a lesson' frenzy.

Moto2

McKneff wrote: »

If you had done this to my car I would be livid, it doesn't matter how much damage is done, your flippant attitude would insense me.

Just make sure you take your blood pressure pills before you go off to your anger management therapy

interstellaflyer

Strider590 wrote: »

Yet another thread which outlines why parking nose first into spaces is not only much more difficult, but also much more likely to cause an accident.

Unfortunately, most car parks do not cater for the fact that you may need to access the boot so driving in and reversing out is the only option, I normally reverse into parking spaces however, if I know I need to load/unload the boot I'll drive in.

Sinhanada

interstellaflyer wrote: »

Unfortunately, most car parks do not cater for the fact that you may need to access the boot so driving in and reversing out is the only option, I normally reverse into parking spaces however, if I know I need to load/unload the boot I'll drive in.

That is so true - I usually always reverse park, until that point you realise you need to put all of your shopping in the boot...

Strider590

interstellaflyer wrote: »

Unfortunately, most car parks do not cater for the fact that you may need to access the boot so driving in and reversing out is the only option, I normally reverse into parking spaces however, if I know I need to load/unload the boot I'll drive in.

Well, you see if I need the boot, then I park in a quiet area of the carpark, even if it means walking an extra 30 seconds to the store. I'd park in a central space, with spaces directly behind, that way when I come back I can bring the trolley to the boot and reduce the risk of it going rogue just as another car comes past. Should I return to find a car behind me, i'll release the handbrake and roll forward enough to get access.

The only time i'd struggle is at a weekend, but then I tend to do all my shopping on Tuesdays at around 6:30pm, just as the council owned car parks become free to park.