Am I right to charge neighbour?

williamc10

One month ago my neighbour reversed into my car, and honestly informed me by knocking on my door there and then. It was dark and cold and so I told my neighbour the damage looked very slight, and the car would be going to the garage soon so not to worry, enjoy Xmas, and shook hands. I've only just taken my car in, one month on, and to my horror the damage has been valued at £500. Am I within my rights to ask my neighbour for payment as I haven't spoken to them since the incident?

JustinR1979

If they caused it then you should have a word, but will be pushing relations after such a long time.
What is the damage? Can you live with it, or bodge it, or out of sight out of mind?

McKneff

Why have you decided just now, a month later to have the damage looked at.


I would be telling you to do one to be honest, after a month, damage could have been cause time and time again in that month.

arcon5

What damage is it?

Technically she'd be liable, not sure if she'd deny it now though or if her insurer would think you was pulling a fast one and refuse the claim.

Personally I'd think it was very suspicious if I was her

Dan-Dan

williamc10 wrote: »

One month ago my neighbour reversed into my car, and honestly informed me by knocking on my door there and then. It was dark and cold and so I told my neighbour the damage looked very slight, and the car would be going to the garage soon so not to worry, enjoy Xmas, and shook hands. I've only just taken my car in, one month on, and to my horror the damage has been valued at £500. Am I within my rights to ask my neighbour for payment as I haven't spoken to them since the incident?

I think you have paid for your blaze attitude , to the tune of £500

Get your backside in gear quicker next time , if i was your neighbour i would also think your trying it on

scotsbob

If you advised your neighbour that you would be having the car examined "within the month" or "after the holidays" then you could approach them.


If you didn't mention it, then you can't expect them to pay now. As others have said, who is to know the damage didn't occur any time in the last month.

Strider590

Garage could be taking the mick, can you upload us a photo?

Rambosmum

How about a second opinion to see if the price is fair? If I had reversed in to my neighbour I'd have been checking with them to see if they'd have it looked after, but if after month they hadn't I'd be thinking of it as dealt with/ in the past etc.

You might be pushing it with the neighbour and it would be worse to have poor relations with your neighbour for longer than you continue to own the car!

gilbert_and_sullivan

To be fair the OP did say the car would be going in to the garage in due course, after Christmas, so if anything the neighbour responsible was being allowed some grace due to the season.

£500 is a fair bit of damage, new bumper/panel costs, maybe have a word with the neighbour and see how they react, they should be expecting an approach, i would, maybe see what a little one man bodyshop (worth having one on tap for the typical scrapes that happen over time) would quote for the repair and see if you can come to some accomodation with the neighbour.

McKneff

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

To be fair the OP did say the car would be going in to the garage in due course, after Christmas, so if anything the neighbour responsible was being allowed some grace due to the season.

£500 is a fair bit of damage, new bumper/panel costs, maybe have a word with the neighbour and see how they react, they should be expecting an approach, i would, maybe see what a little one man bodyshop (worth having one on tap for the typical scrapes that happen over time) would quote for the repair and see if you can come to some accomodation with the neighbour.

The OP said 'soon' not 'in due course#' £500 is not a 'fair bit of damage' if main dealers are involded, not when the are charging £90 an hour x


Move on and learn from it

missile

In my experience £500 from a main dealer is a very minor scratch. When I scratched my front bumper, the dealer wanted £860 !!!


I would suggest you go to a reliable body shop, for a quote.