Scratched someone's car

devofash

Hi guys,

Could do with some advice.

I scratched someone's car whilst giving way to oncoming traffic.

It's a light scratch not too damaging (luckily), I was going to leave a note but the owner came out whilst I was taking a picture. He said he's gonna have to get it re-painted which will be around £250. I said it's not that bad and can be polished out. He insisted it's re-paint so I said I'll go through insurance, he said we can settle there and then if I give him £100. I didn't give him money and insisted on going through insurance. He said he'll get a quote from his mechanic and call me (he took my number but wouldn't share his). Anyway, his mechanic could be a mate of his and quote random amount. I might have shot myself in the foot if his mechanic quotes much more. Should I settled for cash or should I through insurance (I'll probably loose my NCB an my premium will most likely go up).

Would appreciate some assistance.

forgotmyname

Just pass the details onto your insurance. They are going to try it on until you pay them cash.
If they already had a price in mind and willing to change it when you mention insurance then i would expect them to come back for more money after you have paid them.

Pass the details onto your insurer.

agrinnall

How did you manage to scratch another car while giving way? Doesn't "giving way" imply that you were stationary?

Nasqueron

agrinnall wrote: »

How did you manage to scratch another car while giving way? Doesn't "giving way" imply that you were stationary?

Pulled into a gap to let traffic go past and caught a car when doing so I'd assume

devofash

Nasqueron wrote: »

Pulled into a gap to let traffic go past and caught a car when doing so I'd assume

Perhaps not the right choice of words, but yup that's exactly what happened.

devofash

forgotmyname wrote: »

Just pass the details onto your insurance. They are going to try it on until you pay them cash.
If they already had a price in mind and willing to change it when you mention insurance then i would expect them to come back for more money after you have paid them.

Pass the details onto your insurer.

I have to let my insurer know or do I give him my policy number and he does the rest? What if the quote is lower than my excess?

I'll loose my NCB though right and my premium will go up?

I spoke to the guys at the office and they suggested I go to my mechanic, pay him directly, get the guy go to him. OR pay him the cash and get some sort of document signed (he wasn't willing to share his phone number so don't know how I'll get him to sign).

csgohan4

you pay him and no guarantees he wants more money or go through the insurers.

devofash

csgohan4 wrote: »

you pay him and no guarantees he wants more money or go through the insurers.

If I get him to sign something then surely that should be ok no?

Quentin

If you do this through Insurance then they will ensure no comeback in the future should he attempt to try it on.

If it's cost effective you can reimburse your insurer their outlay and get any lost NCD reinstated.

Assuming you don't want repairs to your own car then you won't (normally) have any excess to pay.. And no more dealings with him and his 'mechanic'!

ThinkingOutLoud_2

"he took my number but wouldn't share his" and "give me £100" after saying £250 says wise guy who will try it on.

Do as Quentin says and he may not even call as he won't want to go through insurance or the hassle if his mate can sort so cheaply.

mattk_180

A signed scrap of paper isn't really going to do anything to stop him making a further claim.


As above, go through insurer, see if anything comes in, let them deal with it and then if you wish, you can reimburse the insurer their costs so it doesn't affect your NCB.