Hit another car whilst parking

AliceBanned

I have never done anything this stupid but recently hit the back of a car (Audi A4) whilst parking. It has minor scrapes to the side panel above the back wheel) and possibly the door although impossible to prove that was me too. He was also parked almost over the white line so I didn't have much room to manoeuvre into the spot, but think I was in a hurry, not sure why I was so clumsy. Just a mistake.

I spoke to the owner on the phone and he was nice about it and offered to get a quote from a guy he knows for respraying, so that he doesn't necessarily have to claim on my insurance. Is this legal, and if so how much would be acceptable? There are faint white lines - two - where I seem to have scraped his car, but no dents and nothing i could easily see. I took pics.

I don't have any money at the mo so will have to pay via my credit card. Would it be best to just have him claim on my insurance? Thanks for any advice. Of course, impeccable timing, just after Xmas..:(

arcon5

Yes, legal.
Could run in to a few hundred quid - probably still cheaper than your increased premiums over next 5 years. If his guy is a main dealer expect the quote to be maaaasive.
Technically you have to notify your insurance company of any incident - especially one that might result in a claim. So if you think you won't be able to afford it then maybe tell them now so they don't find out themselves and cancel the policy for non disclosure.

Wait for his quote and decide from there if you want to put it on your cc or not

AliceBanned

arcon5 wrote: »

Yes, legal.
Could run in to a few hundred quid - probably still cheaper than your increased premiums over next 5 years. If his guy is a main dealer expect the quote to be maaaasive.
Technically you have to notify your insurance company of any incident - especially one that might result in a claim. So if you think you won't be able to afford it then maybe tell them now so they don't find out themselves and cancel the policy for non disclosure.

Wait for his quote and decide from there if you want to put it on your cc or not

Oh no. . I just remembered that my excess is quite high - I think about £350. So prepared to pay him as much as that in any case. Even though he was not at fault, it sounded like he would be more keen to avoid going insurance route. Guess I've been lucky for years as had no incidents at all, just a no fault claim a couple of years ago.

AliceBanned

Also if his guy is main dealer and is very expensive, would my insurance have right to get another quote? Thing in these situations is they all tend to go for what they can get, hence high premiums. My insurance at the mo is only costing me about £250 a year.

If it goes up hugely I will just feel like using only public tranport though it would be upsetting to let go of my car. Was such a stupid mistake, as a nearby family witnessing it wished to make clear to me, as though I didn't feel bad enough.

rs65

AliceBanned wrote: »

Oh no. . I just remembered that my excess is quite high - I think about £350. So prepared to pay him as much as that in any case. Even though he was not at fault, it sounded like he would be more keen to avoid going insurance route. Guess I've been lucky for years as had no incidents at all, just a no fault claim a couple of years ago.

Your excess probably won't apply to claims against you - only for your own damage (if you had any).

AliceBanned

rs65 wrote: »

Your excess probably won't apply to claims against you - only for your own damage (if you had any).

Thanks - had no idea! I will check the paperwork. Think it's just going to go on the insurance unless this guy gets a good deal on the work. I doubt it with a car like that.. I just don't have any spare cash so may have to report it to insurance company, but will await the quote first. If i do it this way do I just do a bank transfer and that is the evidence that I've paid for the whole damage? He seemed a very balanced friendly individual so I don't think he would rip me off, but just wondered how this works. Thanks.

AliceBanned

ps my car doesn't have any damage - no dents and just white dust which probably means a bit of paint scratched off. The car is 11 years old so not worth repairing and I won't notice it.

Richard53

If it's "a guy he knows" for the spraying, it doesn't sound like a main dealer to me. Get the quote, and if it's under £350, pay him cash and move on.

You should also inform your insurers, making it clear that this was an 'incident' settled between you and not a claim.

Captain_Flack.

Richard53 wrote: »

If it's "a guy he knows" for the spraying, it doesn't sound like a main dealer to me. Get the quote, and if it's under £350, pay him cash and move on.

You should also inform your insurers, making it clear that this was an 'incident' settled between you and not a claim.

No, you should inform them of the collision for information only.

Quentin

You are responsible for all the costs resulting from this (not just the garage bill).

This will include any hire car required whilst the repairs are carried out etc.

There is also the chance that more work is found necessary once the car is stripped down during the repairs.

You can leave this to the insurance to deal with then if cost effective to you to get your lost ncd reinstated you can reimburse your insurers their outlay.

Quentin

Captain_Flack. wrote: »

No, you should inform them of the collision for information only.

When you settle privately with the other side because you were to blame then you do need to inform your insurers that the incident has been settled.

When you report an incident for which you are to blame your insurer will flag you with an open claim expected (unless you have told them it is settled) with them impacting your ncd at renewal if the case isn't closed off properly.