Damage to paintwork by work colleague

paul55555

Hello 
I would like some advise and support as I do not know how to handle this. A work colleague asked who owns this car on facebook and I contacted this person in private message she replied with (Yes so I've been told, I think my car might have kissed your car this morning..... Not sure?..... I've got no damage to my car, and couldn't see any new damage to yours, but I thought I should say...... So sorry)  
I then looked at my car and found damage on the drivers side front wheel arch . ( I can see white marks that goes over two panels.)
Location is a private car park a company one.

I think some one must have seen her do it that's why she put out a facebook post. I got a quote for £200 not much from a repair shop near me he did my last repair job. She is refusing to pay for this and claims this amount is too high and said she wants to get her own quotes she is very misguided as two recent quotes are around the £400 mark. The guy I talked to today was laughing saying the quote I got for £200 was a good offer he told me their is no way would you get any quotes lower than £200 as he would do it for £400. some people at work have said give her some time. But other colleagues have been telling me others have said dont pay him because its only paul after hearing this I felt very disrespected. I over herd this women talking to another women when I was in the same room in fact I was sat behind her. The conversation was all about dont do any thing until we can get the CCTV but I know the cctv will not show any thing but I did contact the manager and asked he request it in any case. I will update you on what I find out.

I am getting the feeling she will refuse to pay as any decent repair shop will be asking for £400 is going through her insurance my only option here? I have asked for her registration and insurance details but she has failed to provide it. I have managed to find out what car she has. When I looked at it I found marks on her rear passenger side wheel arch around the same Hight of my cars damage.

The last message I sent was I will give you 3 weeks to get your own quotes but I am thinking maybe that is too long.  Her messages feel very rude  Bassically saying in brief I am not going to pay £200 and I want to get my own quotes. I dont want some guy from a back street place to do a back job. 

What should I do I am left feeling disrespected she has a partner who works same place too he briefly talked to me and he said he believed me but I feel like their taking the !!!!!!.
What advise would you suggest I do? Am I taking this to heart to much thanks for your comments.  

AdrianC

Simple choice.

She pays the tab privately.
She explains to her insurers why she didn't contact them before you did.

Sandtree

Most people underestimate the cost of repairs (and over estimate the value of their vehicle). If you want to be amicable then give them a week or two tops and point out that you are happy to deal with their insurers instead if they don’t want to settle privately 

Grumpy_chap

The OP would be well-advised to download / print records of those social media posts / messages identifying the offender and keep safe record in case the posts go missing.
Ignore the office tittle-tattle.
£200 for paintwork repair across two body panels is a bargain.

elsien

Someone else feeling disrespected. Sigh. 

This is nothing to with respect or otherwise. It’s about teaching a mutual agreement or if not, you having the evidence to take it further. That’s all. 

Car_54

Write to her asking for her insurance details. Point out that she is obliged to give them, and failure is a criminal offence (Road Traffic Act 1988, section 154). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/section/154

williamgriffin

Car_54 said:

Write to her asking for her insurance details. Point out that she is obliged to give them, and failure is a criminal offence (Road Traffic Act 1988, section 154). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/section/154

It may not be a criminal offence, the status of the carpark needs to be established.

paul55555

car park is a private car park for staff

Car_54

paul55555 said:

car park is a private car park for staff

Is there anything to prevent public access?

Sandtree

Car_54 said:

Write to her asking for her insurance details. Point out that she is obliged to give them, and failure is a criminal offence (Road Traffic Act 1988, section 154). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/section/154

To what purpose? You can get the insurance details for £4.50 from AskMID if it comes to it and add the cost on to the claim.

I fear that starting to talk about "criminal offences" is far too much a case of the boy calling wolf as no police force is going to bother prosecuting, they'll post a producer and say alls ok when the TP gives the police the details within the X days the letter allows. Threats should only be ones that have a reasonable prospect of coming true.

williamgriffin

Sandtree said:

Car_54 said:

Write to her asking for her insurance details. Point out that she is obliged to give them, and failure is a criminal offence (Road Traffic Act 1988, section 154). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/section/154

To what purpose? You can get the insurance details for £4.50 from AskMID if it comes to it and add the cost on to the claim.

I fear that starting to talk about "criminal offences" is far too much a case of the boy calling wolf as no police force is going to bother prosecuting, they'll post a producer and say alls ok when the TP gives the police the details within the X days the letter allows. Threats should only be ones that have a reasonable prospect of coming true.

They should only issue an HO/RT1 if there are no other means to verify insurance. However if the RTA applies the third party has committed the offence if they fail to give insurance details.