someone bumped into back of car

Kieron26

Hi All,

Someone the other day bumped into the back of my car and wants to settle it outside of insurance which I have agreed to.

It about £220

I got two quotes for them and they selected the cheapest which is common sense.

They have now sent me a text message saying they want me to take the car to the garage and when the work is done they will go to the garage and pay the garage themselves.

I'm obviously concerned that if they don't turn up and I've got a cab there etc. . . the garage are within their right to withhold the vehicle until its paid. The person seems very nice and genuine in all correspondence but do not want to take the risk.

The garage have said I will need to leave the car with them for 2 days and me being a young driver years ago was gutted when i lost my NCD so I offered to use up 2 days of my holiday from work to prevent me loosing 2 days wages.

I just do not want to risk being in the situation of them not turning up to pay the bill.

Any ideas on how I can reply to this message without offending them ???

Retrogamer

I would state you need the money up front, otherwise you you have no choice to go through the insurance route.
Remind them you're being generous and not charging them for your fees to get there and back whilst car is being repaired or charging them for a hire car whilst yours is being fixed.

Alter_ego

You will inform your insurance company of course. It's a requirement of all insurance companies.
That will protect you if the third party refuses to pay.

Spicy_McHaggis

Alter_ego wrote: »

You will inform your insurance company of course. It's a requirement of all insurance companies.
That will protect you if the third party refuses to pay.

Will it, do you think the insurance will pay some back street garage when the haven't assessed it's pre repair condition?

gilbert_and_sullivan

I wouldn't worry two hoots about offending them, this has alarms bells screaming, pound to a penny they're trying it on, once the car is repaired how are you going to go about claiming if they go awol, which they will.

Suggest they either pay up now (offer them a receipt for full and final closure for their as well as your protection) or you put the matter in the hands of the insurer and that means a claims management company and their costs treble or more.

If i was the third party i'd be round your house now with 220 smackeroonies and bottle of really nice wine for thanks your trouble.

arcon5

Interestingly I've read threads the otherway round where people recommended doing just this.
how about asking them to pay the garage before work begins?

Kieron26

This is their reply

Hi,

I appreciate you are trying to help me out with the situation and trying to keep costs down in a way that would be easy for the both of us. I'm perfectly happy for you to book time of from work when is most convenient for you and will go into the garage and pay the bill for the work done. I'm not comfortable just handing you my money for a receipt for the damage done. I want to obtain a copy of the garages invoice for my own personal records. I think this would be the best way, I would go in and pay the bill for you whilst you are getting the car fixed as i live in XXXXX

Tilt

Kieron26 wrote: »

This is their reply

Hi,

I appreciate you are trying to help me out with the situation and trying to keep costs down in a way that would be easy for the both of us. I'm perfectly happy for you to book time of from work when is most convenient for you and will go into the garage and pay the bill for the work done. I'm not comfortable just handing you my money for a receipt for the damage done. I want to obtain a copy of the garages invoice for my own personal records. I think this would be the best way, I would go in and pay the bill for you whilst you are getting the car fixed as i live in XXXXX

Shouldn't make a difference to the TP as long as you sign it "in full and final settlement".

I agree with most other posters, just hand to to your insurers. Your policy probably tells you to report all accidents anyway.

Spicy_McHaggis

Kieron26 wrote: »

This is their reply

Hi,

I appreciate you are trying to help me out with the situation and trying to keep costs down in a way that would be easy for the both of us. I'm perfectly happy for you to book time of from work when is most convenient for you and will go into the garage and pay the bill for the work done. I'm not comfortable just handing you my money for a receipt for the damage done. I want to obtain a copy of the garages invoice for my own personal records. I think this would be the best way, I would go in and pay the bill for you whilst you are getting the car fixed as i live in XXXXX

It's up to you where you have it fixed, is cheapest the best?

What if you're not happy with the repair, they're paying and have the contract with the garage and you've got no comeback.

You book time off work, so you'll lose a days holiday and have no car for the period it's in to help them out.

Kieron26

Thanks for your input Arcon5, I have been brought up and leant from the past not to pay for any kind of paintwork until I see it and am satisfied.

Ive been done by some right dodgy garages in the past and I have never been to this on before.

The accident is between me and her so i would have thought the repair funds should come to me to then pay the garage myself when satisfied with the work. If she pays on her card then if there is any issues how am i able to take it up with my credit card company as I have read that im covered if I pay the money onto my card and then pay for the work on my credit card.

Spicy_McHaggis

Tilt wrote: »

Shouldn't make a difference to the TP as long as you sign it "in full and final settlement".

I agree with most other posters, just hand to to your insurers. Your policy probably tells you to report all accidents anyway.

Yeah full and final for the work too, no comeback when it's rusting in six months.