Hit by another car in a car park - note left - what protocol?

jamint

Hi all,

As above, I parked my car in a car park two weekends ago, and returned to find a deep scrape on my bumper and paintwork above at the rear left side. I also found a rough handwritten note from the person responsible.

I have since contacted the guy, who initially claimed it wouldn't cost more than £25 to repair (!), but whom I told I would check around for quotes to repair the damage and get back to him.

I heard back from a few quotes and had one from chipsaway quoting £150 inc VAT for the repair. I then messaged the guy to tell him as such, and he has replied with "OK I will pay but I will need proof the repair took place before I pay", and this has set alarm bells off.

I thought he would have to pay first, then I'd get the repair done? Otherwise what is to stop him turning around and not paying once it's all repaired? Am I wrong here? And I guess more pertinently, what order should I go about this now?

P.S. As a side Q, if I claimed through my insurance (6 years NCB, £200 excess) would I need to pay my excess to my insurer even in a situation like this where I'm not at all at fault?

AndyMc.....

If you claim off your insurance then you'll pay the excess but won't lose you're bonus if they recover the costs. You could always claim direct off his.

jamint

Forgive my ignorance, but how could I claim directly off his? Contact my insurer and tell them about the accident. if so, would his note be enough evidence of liability?

AndyMc.....

jamint wrote: »

Forgive my ignorance, but how could I claim directly off his? Contact my insurer and tell them about the accident. if so, would his note be enough evidence of liability?

Ring them and make a claim.

natlol

In all fairness by leaving his details he has shown good character. Personally I’d just take some pictures before and after having it repaired and supply the invoice.

System

jamint wrote: »

I thought he would have to pay first, then I'd get the repair done? Otherwise what is to stop him turning around and not paying once it's all repaired? Am I wrong here? And I guess more pertinently, what order should I go about this now?

And looking at it from his point of view whats to stop you pocketing the £150 and not getting the repair done?

P.S. As a side Q, if I claimed through my insurance (6 years NCB, £200 excess) would I need to pay my excess to my insurer even in a situation like this where I'm not at all at fault?

No but your insurance will rise as a result of a claim, even if you're not at fault.

foxy-stoat

jamint wrote: »

I thought he would have to pay first, then I'd get the repair done? Otherwise what is to stop him turning around and not paying once it's all repaired? Am I wrong here?

Na, the repairer doesnt get the money first, they do the repair then get paid.

facade

Tarambor wrote: »

And looking at it from his point of view whats to stop you pocketing the £150 and not getting the repair done?

And what is wrong with that?


He caused damage that will cost £150 to put right, he pays the £150. What you do with the £150 isn't his concern.

macman

Show/send him a copy of the quote. Then remind him that if you go through his insurers instead, then it will probably cost more like £300, and his premiums will rise.
Anyone who thinks that you can get a repair done on 2 panels for £25 clearly doesn't have a clue.
Have you tried polishing it out with T-Cut? If it's deep, it won't remove it, but will usually reduce it considerably.

john_white

facade wrote: »

And what is wrong with that?


He caused damage that will cost £150 to put right, he pays the £150. What you do with the £150 isn't his concern.

Pay £150, owner doesn't fix it, then claims off insurance. Pay twice.

shaun_from_Africa

john_white wrote: »

Pay £150, owner doesn't fix it, then claims off insurance. Pay twice.

Or:
Pay £150, ask owner to sign a letter acknowledging receipt of money and stating exactly what it was for and agreeing not to pursue an insurance claim.
If owner opens an insurance claim, contact insurance company and advise them of what has happened and that the owner is attempting to claim when they have suffered no financial loss.
Owner could have claim denied and possible cancellation of policy.