Caused a prang - to go through insurance or not?

michaelhamill

So one day last week I came out of the gym and backed my car (gently) into the front side of a car parked perpendicular to me.  I caused damage to the panel around the wheel arch. A very minor dent on an 8 year old ford fiesta. So I went back into the gym and found the woman who owns the car and we agree I will just pay for it. So far she has two quotes to fix it. One is 700 quid from a garage 30 miles away that has a 3.8 star rating and the other is 450 quid from a garage 1 mile away that her mechanic recommended and which has a 4.3 star rating. She is also saying that the first garage will give her a courtesy car for 4 days because thats how long the fix takes. Of course she wants to go to the more expensive one and, lo and behold, her friend runs it. She says she is getting a final quote from a ford approved garage on the 17th of November and will be in touch after that. 

Ive told her that isnt very reasonable, to just go to the local garage. Its cheaper, its closer, it has a better rating, it is recommended by the mechanic she usually goes to.

So I am asking this forum if you think I should just go through the insurance. Also, is there usually a timeout on when she can claim through the insurance? And any guesses on what it would do to my premium. Essentially I dont want to be arguing with an unreasonable person about this. 

What do you all think I should respond with?

Car_54

Go through your insurance. First, you have to tell them anyway, and second they have a lot of expertise in dealing with such dubious claims. Timeout is six years!

angrycrow

The limitation period for property damage claims is 6 years so she has 6 years to claim. Whilst the local garage is cheaper you then have to add in the cost of a hire car for the duration of the repair. The 4 day repair time could be an optimistic estimate. Hire car charges will end up being at least £100 and could run to several hundred. 

Just let your insurers deal its what you pay premiums for. Ultimately if she feels she is being messed around she could go directly to your insurers taking matters out of your hands. 

Zellah

OP, ask her to get a quote from this nationwide outfit. If they can repair it, almost guaranteed to beat other inflated quotes:
https://www.chipsaway.co.uk/services/minor-dents/
If you're happy with the price, no need to involve your insurance companies considering the potential increase of future premiums and losing your No Claims Discount, if unprotected. I was in a similar situation many years ago, didn't involve insurance companies at all, i got both cars repaired at a local body shop without breaking the bank and both parties were happy - the other chap was very reasonable. 

Dr_Crypto

I don’t think these private arrangements work unless there’s complete trust between the parties. In reality I’d only entertain it with a spouse, close family, or a very long term good friend. 

facade

Go through your insurance. Your premiums go up, her premiums go up.

She might make enough to offset her increase, but not your concern.

AdrianC

If you can't come to a mutually agreeable solution, then... insurance.

If the difference between the £450 and £700 quotes are a courtesy car, then paying for her to hire a car for four days won't come to £250...

Oh, and ignore these "ratings".

chrisw

Unfortunately you're in no position to dictate the terms to her, she's got you by the whatsits and it would seem she knows it.

At £700 I would definitely go through insurance, particularly with her messing about, and be done with it. Depending on what your premium is now, a percentage increase might not be that great and can often be mitigated by shopping around at renewal. Save yourself any hassle.

RichardD1970

Depending on your circumstances your premium might not go up much,if at all, if you go through the insurance.

I had an at fault claim costing round £2000 to fix and my renewal went up by about £50. Although I still got cheaper renewal quotes when shopping around for about £30 less than the previous year.

JustAnotherSaver

I wouldn't ask here (too late) as this forum will always tell you to declare any minor ding you get, even if you were to nudge your own garden wall. 

Technically they're right but it's your call. I've had incidents where I've had to go through insurance and 1 where I didn't - and was better off for not going through insurance. 

I've 'done the right thing' and told the insurance before, even when I've not claimed - and now I'm worse off for it... For 3 more years. 

NottinghamKnight

JustAnotherSaver said:

I wouldn't ask here (too late) as this forum will always tell you to declare any minor ding you get, even if you were to nudge your own garden wall. 

Technically they're right but it's your call. I've had incidents where I've had to go through insurance and 1 where I didn't - and was better off for not going through insurance. 

I've 'done the right thing' and told the insurance before, even when I've not claimed - and now I'm worse off for it... For 3 more years. 

but you're not being chased for zillions from a personal injury claim, swings and roundabouts.