Wind blew car door into wife's car

pill84

Hi,
Quick one.

In a supermarket car park, a man was getting out of his car when the wind caught his door and subsequently hit my wife's car door causing a crease.

They have exchanged details but we haven't heard anything yet.

As the damage looks fairly minor and my wife's car is fairly old, I thought the third party may of suggested getting a repair/quote privately but that has not suggested.

So my questions are:
1. Do i need to inform our insurer?
2. Should we contact the third party to discuss a private repair?

Thanks.

Alter_ego

Yes and yes

Tammer

My wife let the car door blow into another car in a Supermarket car park as the owner was returning a few years ago.....

Needless to say, he made sure he claimed on his insurance (which he was perfectly in his rights to do). The claim (for his repair) was for over £600. There was a dent in his door so I guess they may have replaced the door.

mustiuc

I had two incidents since i.m driving all happened in supermarket car parks.
First, I was reverting to go in and another one was reverting to go out of his parking space. Because of each other blind spots I hit his back bumper and broke a light. I was very apologetic and offered to repair privately his light/bumper but he refused categorically saying the car will be sold to a dealer before the end of the week. He refused to say his name/exchange details. He said to don't worry and he won't make a claim. I sat more than 2 weeks stressed "shall I rang or not my insurer, will he claim or keep his word".
Second, immediately after I bought a new car I went to Asda. Because I didn't knew the size and width of the car and also kept the sensors off, I hit the car in front of me while the driver was getting out of it. He was an Asta employee (young, 20-25) and told me "don't worry about my car mate, is worth 500. Check yours to dont have any damage". It was fine, no marks; we shaked hands and went into supermarket.
I never understood why people can't sort privately (very) minor incidents and prefer to involve insurers who will increase their premium even if is not your fault. Why would someone prefer to waste some money, I don't understand.
I am very glad to meet only "beautiful" people and down to earth.

Retrogamer

You should tell your insurer but bear in mind the premium may rise for the next 5 years even if it was the other driver's fault and the rise may offset the price of getting the door repaired

Norman_Castle

mustiuc wrote: »

I am very glad to meet only "beautiful" people and down to earth.

So keep driving into other peoples cars, you'll meet even more beautiful people.

LadyDee

Retrogamer wrote: »

You should tell your insurer but bear in mind the premium may rise for the next 5 years even if it was the other driver's fault and the rise may offset the price of getting the door repaired

Because seemingly minor dents can often cost hundreds if not thousands to repair, and if you hit me whilst "reverting" in a car that you couldn't drive properly I would be claiming on your insurance.

In fact, this did happen to a friend in an Asda car park, when she was "reverted" into whilst stationary by a young girl about 4ft nothing in a huge 4x4, chatting to her companion and wasn't paying attention. She probably had her sensors switched off too. The tiny little scratch ended up costing her insurance company over £1,500. My friend's insurance didn't increase, but I bet the other driver's did.

Nasqueron

mustiuc wrote: »

I never understood why people can't sort privately (very) minor incidents and prefer to involve insurers who will increase their premium even if is not your fault. Why would someone prefer to waste some money, I don't understand.

Because it's in the terms and conditions of your insurance and to not do so invalidates it? Look at the flip side, you're a terrible driver, turn off the car sensors which would fix that driving and crash into people. Your insurance has the right to know this and adjust your premiums to reflect it. By not telling them, you're committing insurance fraud

Retrogamer

LadyDee wrote: »

Because seemingly minor dents can often cost hundreds if not thousands to repair, and if you hit me whilst "reverting" in a car that you couldn't drive properly I would be claiming on your insurance.

In fact, this did happen to a friend in an Asda car park, when she was "reverted" into whilst stationary by a young girl about 4ft nothing in a huge 4x4, chatting to her companion and wasn't paying attention. She probably had her sensors switched off too. The tiny little scratch ended up costing her insurance company over £1,500. My friend's insurance didn't increase, but I bet the other driver's did.

Lots of insurance companies will load a premium for a non fault claim.
The OP has said the car is fairly old so if the door repair is too expensive there is the possibility the car will be written off along with the possibility of 5 years of increased premiums

Marvel1

LadyDee wrote: »

In fact, this did happen to a friend in an Asda car park, when she was "reverted" into whilst stationary by a young girl about 4ft nothing in a huge 4x4, chatting to her companion and wasn't paying attention. She probably had her sensors switched off too. The tiny little scratch ended up costing her insurance company over £1,500. My friend's insurance didn't increase, but I bet the other driver's did.

Is she declaring the claim when shopping around renewal time? I find it hard to believe otherwise.

Beenie

There are many lease car/company car drivers who are not allowed to enter into damage discussion or entertain back street repairers. It's main dealership repairs for every ding, scratch, bump etc. and let the insurers deal with the details. Our car agreement is definitely like this.