Car accident - advice please!

KimYBen

A couple of weeks ago, when it was very windy, I parked my car next to another one. I had 4 children in the car, just as I stopped I told them to be careful when opening the car door but it was too late, a 13 year old child (not my child) opened the door and it flew out of her hand and clearly dented the car next to it. The car itself was already damaged elsewhere (dents in the bumper, lots of scratches etc). I left a note with my name and number and explaining the details, plus took photos. Didn't hear back until two weeks later and the driver says it will cost £350 and to pay direct or whether I wanted to go through insurance. When I asked for an official quote, he tells me this is just a rough estimate and he hasn't got an official quote and that it will be more expensive to go through insurance and will increase my premiums etc.. which I'm aware of. What would you do next? My accidental damage cover is £350 with excess of £250 and I pay to protect my No claims discount. I haven't yet told my insurance as I thought leaving a note was enough (no one was hurt, it was a dent caused by the weather and by a child). I don't mind paying the amount but I don't want any further comeback and if I ask the other to sign an agreement saying this is full and final payment, is that enough?

shiraz99

Don't worry about your excess, you only pay this when you make a claim yourself for your own vehicle. Get the driver to give you (preferably) three quotes from various places before agreeing to pay for the damage directly. Depending on where exactly the dent is I'd be surprised if it couldn't be repaired via paintless dent removal, which shouldn't cost you more than £100-£150. Sounds like the other driver is being fairly reasonable at the moment, if that changes then just let your insurer deal with it.