Hit and run

SomeDaySoon_2

Hi all,

I need some advice. Someone hit the side of my car this afternoon on an island, they drove off and I followed them for about 10 minutes until he pulled into a car park. I got out and told him he's hit my car and driven off, to which he claimed he hadn't. But when shown the damage to my car he admitted he must have but didn't realise.
He gave me his number but stupidly as I have never had an accident before I didn't know I needed his name and address. He did mention his first name but in my shock I can't recall it.
Anyway, I noted down his license plate on my phone but this page has cleared itself when I locked it. I can remember the first four digits but not the last for certain.
What do I do? Do I call my insurance and/or the police as he drove off? The damage looks like it's more paint scratch than dent. Would I have to pay my excess and would my premium go up? If so I don't really want to declare it to my insurance. He mentioned he worked with cars and could fix it for me, and I have his number. Is this the most sensible thing to do?

TBagpuss

If you have his number, phone him, ask him to confirm his name and address and that he remains willing to cover the cost of repairing the car.

Then decide whether you want to go through your insurers. Obviously if he refuses to give his details then you can contact your insurues but without a name or full registration number they may not be able to identify him in which case you would have to pay your secess and lose your no claims.

It may be sensibel to try to get a quote for getting the stratch repaired before you decide, if it is minor it may be cheparer to pay for the repair than to pay your excess.

Tilt

Failing to stop at the scene of an accident is an offence under Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

Unless details have been exchange on scene, I would report it.

Silver-Surfer_2

Tilt wrote: »

Failing to stop at the scene of an accident is an offence under Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

Unless details have been exchange on scene, I would report it.

Given what the op has posted its probably a waste of time. The other driver when he did stop said he was unaware of the incident. That would rule part of it out. Once he has stopped he has remained there for long enough for the op to request his details, after all he got a phone number.

I can see any mileage in reporting a fail to stop and report as the other driver has.