What would you have done?

EmmyLou30

Comms69 wrote: »

Yes, because that would be like having a dog and barking yourself....wait....

I understand that insurance is there for a reason....but can you honestly say you'd be happy if you'd given some friends' kids a lift, one of them had hit another car with your car door, and now you were going to be out of pocket by paying your excess and declaring it for 5 years? If so then you're a more forgiving person than me as I'd be pretty peed off. I'd also be angry if the Mum of the child hadn't offered to pay forthe damage her son did and that'd probably be friendship soured forever as a result. And certainly no more lifts for her kid or probably any others - once bitten and all that.

Fireflyaway

I'd let it go and pay. There may have been bad parking or not, who knows. You can't prove it. Even if there was bad parking you could argue the person leaving the car is the one who has to ensure they don't damage anything. I'd also want to avoid longer term consequences such as the kids falling out over it if the parents get into a dispute.
It was an unfortunate accident and I think its noble of you to pay.

onlyroz

Is the paint damaged? If not then there are people who can push out the dent from behind at very little cost. I had such a dent removed from my car for less than £100. If we're talking re-spray jobs then obviously the price increases...

ska_lover

Hey op, stop second guessing yourself - you have best intentions and are acting honourably.

i would have likely rushed in and offered to pay as you did, but would possibly regret it now. however as friend was doing a favour i wouldn't back out now

I would ensure that any quote was OKayed by me, before she commenced repairs and would start asking friends and family for recommendations

JIL

Many moons ago I was driving my dad's car and I pulled out and hit another car, I was very apologetic, I felt it was all my fault. I didn't want it to affect my dad's insurance, I immediately offered to pay.

I arranged that the other car driver would meet me at a friend's garage who did car repairs. When he turned up he wasn't driving, his wife was. Once the garage person had looked over the damage, I was shocked at how much it would cost. My dad immediately said it was too much and we would have to go through the insurance.
I then found out that the driver only had a provisional license, and as they were on their own at the time of the accident technically uninsured.

It did teach me for the future to do things the way things are supposed to be done. Insurance companies are there for a reason. Sometimes in the heat of the moment and wanting to do the best let's our heart overrule our head. I understand why you offered to pay.

FBaby

My OH found himself in a similar situation, although not related to a car. Something happened that really wasn't his fault, but felt bad and as a result, agreed to pay the cost of repairs to his friend. However, the costs turned out to be on-going, which couldn't have been predicted at the time and much more than what was expected. He wasn't sure how to approach this, so just spoke with his friend and said that he would pay £500 but that he could pay more if his friend opted to incur more costs. His friend was totally understanding and actually grateful that he offered anything at all as he too agreed that it wasn't really OH fault (it was no-one's). They are still friends and the money wasn't wasted.

unholyangel

andydownes123 wrote: »

Problems arise when (and this happened to a colleague of mine) the bill is astronomical, which it could easily be. My friend scrapped the bumper of a BMW, very small and admitted it with a note on the windscreen. Next thing you know, £1500 for a solid-gold bumper spray done at BMW HQ. Pay it or insurance job. Now, I would wait until you know the bill and then make up your mind IF you really want to get involved. Really though, the driver is at fault AT THE END OF THE DAY as the passenger doesn't have insurance and it was her car that caused the damage.

Just because you aren't required (as a passenger) to have insurance by law doesn't mean you don't hold any liability.

Being insured and being liable are not synonymous.

maman

Hi cuppa:)


Many of the comments posted are good advice for anyone who might find themselves in a similar situation in the future. But you are where you are.


Personally I'd do exactly what you've done and commend you for it. I wouldn't want a friend to have her premiums increased because of me or my child.


I think the other woman was being kind as she didn't want to sound as if your son behaved irresponsibly. The same could have happened regardless of whether it was an official parking place or not.

Comms69

EmmyLou30 wrote: »

I understand that insurance is there for a reason....but can you honestly say you'd be happy if you'd given some friends' kids a lift, one of them had hit another car with your car door, and now you were going to be out of pocket by paying your excess and declaring it for 5 years? If so then you're a more forgiving person than me as I'd be pretty peed off. I'd also be angry if the Mum of the child hadn't offered to pay forthe damage her son did and that'd probably be friendship soured forever as a result. And certainly no more lifts for her kid or probably any others - once bitten and all that.

Happy? no.


But the driver must declare the incident anyway, regardless of claim.

Comms69

JIL wrote: »

Many moons ago I was driving my dad's car and I pulled out and hit another car, I was very apologetic, I felt it was all my fault. I didn't want it to affect my dad's insurance, I immediately offered to pay.

I arranged that the other car driver would meet me at a friend's garage who did car repairs. When he turned up he wasn't driving, his wife was. Once the garage person had looked over the damage, I was shocked at how much it would cost. My dad immediately said it was too much and we would have to go through the insurance.
I then found out that the driver only had a provisional license, and as they were on their own at the time of the accident technically uninsured.

It did teach me for the future to do things the way things are supposed to be done. Insurance companies are there for a reason. Sometimes in the heat of the moment and wanting to do the best let's our heart overrule our head. I understand why you offered to pay.

Which doesn't invalidate their claim though, just for clarity.