Decided not to claim

Beverley_Hillbillies

Hello

Earlier this week, I had a minor bump in a private very small car park, whilst reversing, I touched the front bumper of a stationary car, the driver was sat in the seat.

Whilst no damage to my car, there was very little damage to the stationary car, from observations, no dent, just little scratches,

Given the very minor damage, I offered the stationary driver to settle rather than go through the insurance, the stationary driver was elderly female, English not being her 1st language, said she thought she must go through her insurance, (yes, I know it's the official way)  we exchanged details, and I informed my insurance company, although I was not claiming on my car, as I had no damage.

I've now been contacted by the 3rd party driver, she claims, her insurance company have decided not to repair her car, as the cost out ways the car's value, she has a 59 reg Ford Fiesta, although language is difficult, it appears her insurance have said the car will be written off, although she can buy the car back, (unsure what all this means)

Given her car maybe written off, she has said she now wants to withdraw her claim, and asked if we can come to some agreement, (I'm sure she means financial) this is all very confusing, can anyone advise what I should do please?

TIA

HansOndabush

Say no to her. It has already gone through insurance so you will pay higher premiums because of the incident with or without an actual claim. If the TP doesn't want to claim, that's up to her, not you and in no way should you offer any alternative than the insurance. That's why you have insurance.
How do you know her story is true? Sounds like she is trying her luck to see if you are gullible enough to pay her something.

Beverley_Hillbillies

Thank you hans, I don't think she's trying her luck, I actually believe she's being honest re her insurance response.

If she decided not to pursue her claim, would this be treated as a "notification" only with my insurance?

I know at renewals, if admitting a claim, it usually asks the amount claimed, in this case it will be nil

tbh, labour would cost more than the repair, hence, why her insurance have decided not to carry out a repair

AdrianC

59-plate Fiesta is a grand minimum, probably more. I'd be surprised if that was being written off by the insurer for a few bumper scratches... but it's not impossible, especially if there's a whiff of a hire car being required.

A quick localised paint repair may do it - hundred quid or so. And, yes, them paying her the value in lieu of repairing then she keeps the car makes a lot of sense as an easy way to sort it. She's quids in doing that - she'd be daft not to.

But, of course, it's all in the hands of insurers now anyway. You will now have to be honest about this on your renewal for the next five years.

Beverley_Hillbillies

Thanks Adrian,

Given the minor damage, I was thinking maybe £100.00 at most at my expense

AdrianC

That's absolute bare minimum for any kind of localised repair. Only time I've used one was north of a decade ago, and was £75 then.

Beverley_Hillbillies

AdrianC said:

You will not have to be honest about this on your renewal for the next five years.

Hi Adrian,

2 questions, do I need to inform my insurance she doesn't wish to make a claim?

Do I have to declare on future renewals when it asks "any claims within last xx yrs"

AdrianC

Beverley_Hillbillies said:

AdrianC said:

You will not now have to be honest about this on your renewal for the next five years.

Hi Adrian,

2 questions, do I need to inform my insurance she doesn't wish to make a claim?

Do I have to declare on future renewals when it asks "any claims within last xx yrs"

Well, there's a corker of a typo, isn't there?

Now corrected in the original!

Ectophile

Beverley_Hillbillies said:

AdrianC said:

You will not have to be honest about this on your renewal for the next five years.

Hi Adrian,

2 questions, do I need to inform my insurance she doesn't wish to make a claim?

Do I have to declare on future renewals when it asks "any claims within last xx yrs"

I suspect they won't only ask if you have had any claims.  They will also ask about any other accidents.

HansOndabush

Beverley_Hillbillies said:

Thanks Adrian,

Given the minor damage, I was thinking maybe £100.00 at most at my expense

Why are you still considering paying anything? Its gone through insurance and thats the end of it. You do NOT have to pay anything to this woman. Have no more communication.

Beverley_Hillbillies

HansOndabush said:

Why are you still considering paying anything? Its gone through insurance and thats the end of it. You do NOT have to pay anything to this woman. Have no more communication.

Hans, I was thinking, if I paid privately, it wouldn't show as a claim on my renewal, I was confused thinking it would show as a notification, clearly, form your and other postings, initially, I misunderstood how insurance works