Paying for damage from a car park incident

newthoughts34

A few weeks ago I parked my car and my hand break may have failed. When I returned it had rolled slightly and caused damage to another unocupied car.

The owner of the car then got a quote for £450 to make the repairs, which I think is reasonable. We both said we'd prefer to sort this out ourself rather than making a claim. I have no damage to my car anyway.

I'm just checking, am I ok to go ahead with this without informing insurance. The terms of my policy are:

"You must tell us as soon as reasonably possible about any incident which may lead to a claim under this policy."

As the incident won't lead to a claim that's ok isn't it?

Aylesbury_Duck

newthoughts34 wrote: »

A few weeks ago I parked my car and my hand break may have failed. When I returned it had rolled slightly and caused damage to another unocupied car.

The owner of the car then got a quote for £450 to make the repairs, which I think is reasonable. We both said we'd prefer to sort this out ourself rather than making a claim. I have no damage to my car anyway.

I'm just checking, am I ok to go ahead with this without informing insurance. The terms of my policy are:

"You must tell us as soon as reasonably possible about any incident which may lead to a claim under this policy."

As the incident won't lead to a claim that's ok isn't it?

If you can guarantee that the other party won't make a claim, is happy with the proposed repair and if there are any subsequent problems with the repair or something arising from it that you are happy to fund it privately again, then maybe it's ok but not knowing your exact insurance terms, no one can tell you. How much do you trust the other party?

Are you sure that's the only term or question relating to accidents/incidents?

AdrianC

There's two questions here...

1. Can you pay directly, rather than claiming through insurance? Yes, you can.
2. Should you notify your insurance, even if you do pay directly? Well, the alternative is five years of lying and hoping they never find out the truth...

Kiran

If you are paying privately its worth getting something signed to say full and final settlement

Mercdriver

Kiran wrote: »

If you are paying privately its worth getting something signed to say full and final settlement

it is what happens when they get one of those calls that says = "That accident you had recently"...

Will this suffice? Without a witnessed signature? Perhaps. But by then, the insurance company will find out, and the OP could find himself with a cancelled policy...

OP, it's down to your judgement. If the other party gets one of those calls will the temptation be too much for him? Sure his claim would be fraudulent, but your insurance company at this time will be contacted.