Insurance or not?

saker75

Hi all,

Somebody knocked into my rear bumper this morning. It was at slow speed and,as he said, he was concentrating on his car radio and admits full responsibility.

There isn't much visible damage to my car but the bumper has popped out and has a crack in it. It's a Jaguar X-type.

Frustratingly something very similar happened only six months ago. It went through their insurance and the whole process lasted for about three weeks. Even with a courtesy car the process was very frustrating.

This new incident - the chap doesn't want to do insurance. I have no reason to suspect anything negative with this and he seemed honest enough.

Effectively - I want as hassle free a repair where the work is guaranteed etc. I also don't want to screw the guy either - mistakes happen. I just don't know whether I should be letting the insurers just get on with it or not.

Any thoughts?

S

InsideInsurance

Up to you.

Techncially you should declare the incidents to your own insurers irrespective of if you claim off of their insurance or deal with it privately but most wont for the second case.

If you decide to do it privately, get it repaired and then he refuses to pay you back then you may have more difficulty in reverting to the insurers as they wont be able to inspect the vehicle.

Quentin

The third party has to pay all the costs, not just the repair bill.

You want your car repaired at the garage of your choice and a replacement car whilst yours is off the road plus any other costs. All this (plus the possibility that more work is needed when the bumper is removed) may mean this is going to cost more than the culprit realises!

Claim direct to his insurance company - if he wants to preserve his NCD he can reimburse them if its cost effective.

Finst

My view would be as follows:

If its just a cracked bumber, then the car is clearly driveable, so no need for a courtesy car.

Take it to the Jaguar dealer, and get them to check it out and give you a quote for repairs. There might be some underlying damage that can't be seen, so give them the time to look properly.

Once you know the repair cost, tell the other driver and ask him if he still wants to do it outwith insurance. If he says yes, get the cash and the repair done. It shouldn't take more than a day to do, and the dealer will probably though in a courtesy car for one day for nothing.

That sounds like the least hassle to me. Obviously if he starts getting funny about the cost, you go straight to the insurers.

colino

A Jag, presumably in metallic and with reverse sensors and a whole lot of sensitive electronics mounted in the boot? Don't give a toss what the other guy wants, get the insurance involved and your car repaired properly. Even just a replacement bumper plus paint and labour is well into four figures and radioboy probably wont stomach that from his pocketmoney.

McKneff

I would let your insurance know 'for information only' and deal direct with his insurance company. No messing. I did this with mine, it took a week and everything was settled.


It doesn't matter what he wants, he was in the wrong and you haven't done anything wrong.