Car incident - what to do...

007jumanji

Hi,
Today I reversed into a car that parked quite close behind me on a hill. There was very minor contact of bumpers before I pulled forward. The owner rushed over and I could tell straight away he was going to be unreasonable about it. I got out and assured him there was no damage. There was some minor dust on my rear bumper where the contact was made. I brushed that off and inspected his front bumper but couldn't see anything obvious. It was quite an old beat up car and he took my number and we both took photos. He has since messaged me with lots of photos saying that I have caused all of these chips and issues which I think is quite ridiculous seeming as I barely touched his car.
Anyway ... Im just wondering how I should be handling this? Where do we stand? I am pretty confident I caused no damage to his car. It's just impossible that a slight touch could create chips in his paint work that is above the grill - my bumper wouldn't have even touched that area! I inspected the photo I took and he has these chips all over. I think he's just trying to take me to the cleaners.

chrisw

Unfortunately I think you have no choice but to send all the details on to your insurers. They may fight it or they may simply pay up if that's the cheaper option for them.

TELLIT01

You do need to inform your insurer and tell them what the owner's atttitude was.

nyermen

Contact your insurer (you must), give them the situation from your POV.  Are you sure there was even contact?
Then point out that the photos / alignment of the car is clearly wrong (but get them to tell your insurer that formally). Then they're on record with statements that can be proven true or false.

007jumanji

Thanks guys.
There was definitely contact but it was minimal. The guy has since given me a quote - £90 for a new grill and £240 for some paint work. So he was straight on it!
I still haven't contacted my insurance people. I'm just worried about my insurance going up as a result of this. I do have no claims protection of 8+ years. 
What should I do? Try and pay my pay out or just report everything to my insurance?

007jumanji

Also if I have an excess on my policy - will have to pay that anyway? 

csgohan4

personally go through insurer, least that way no come back from the person who looks like trying to claim more than he is entitled to. Looks like a fault accident for you as you caused the damaged.

Nothing stopping the guy claiming more money or threatening to go insurance if you don't comply

your premiums will go up as standard

007jumanji

Yea probably makes sense. But...
What happens with regards to excess?
What happens to my no claims?
How much will my premium go up?

csgohan4

007jumanji said:

Yea probably makes sense. But...
What happens with regards to excess? irrelevant, your not claiming I assume for your own car
What happens to my no claims? if protected, nothing, if not will step down a bit as per own T+c
How much will my premium go up? How long is a piece  of string

As above

you could do dummy quotes with fake details to see what the claim will load your premium

007jumanji

Thanks for the advice guys! 

TELLIT01

Report it to your insurer, even if you aren't claiming off it.  Let them know that at this point you don't plan to make a claim, but will pay the other party direct.  If you do take that route, you need to get a receipt from the other party stating that the sum is in full payment for repair to the vehicle.