Car rolled with Handbrake on

bargainhunter121

I was parked on a very slight hill on a car park (have parked there many times before). Put the handbrake on, went in for lunch and was informed by a waiter that my car had rolled into the managers car (2007 seat ibiza 130k petrol). Damage done to his car is possibly a new bumper required (there's a scratch and a dent). I offered to pay for the damage but he's insisting it goes through insurance. Our car is due mot at the end of June, but obviously I was unaware of any issues. Where do I stand with this? Will his car be written off? I have 14 years NCB. (Protected). Am I better to just go through insurance?

daveyjp

Whether his car is written off is his issue, not yours, however if he expects it to be repaired 99% chance it will be written off as it will cost a few thousand to repair the vehicle once all costs are taken into account.

If I were him I'd probably just accept my car is old and another dent isn't worth bothering with if it means having to find a replacement vehicle.

 If he insists report and let the insurance companies deal with it.  If your car isn't damaged you don't need to do anything else, apart from remembering to leave parked cars in gear!

bargainhunter121

There's only a few scratches on my car which t cut solved. I just was hoping to just pay cash for the damage if I'm honest rather than it effectmy insurance premium. I'm really annoyed at this if I honest. I actually didn't get his insurance details as I was in shock a bit. He has my contact details though. I have his name and obviously know where he works. 

bargainhunter121

He hasn't made contact as such yet but do I have to report this immediately to my insurance? I'm still hoping he might come back and accept a cash payment from me for the damage. Is it more worthwhile for him to go through insurance? Also if his car is written off, does it effect my premiums more?

Car_54

daveyjp said:

 If he insists report and let the insurance companies deal with it.  If your car isn't damaged you don't need to do anything else, apart from remembering to leave parked cars in gear!

Really? The OP has to tell his insurer regardless: (1) he's been involved in an accident, and (2) someone has made a claim against him.

Rob5342

You should never rely on the handbrake, always leave the car in gear when you park. 

Brie

Rob5342 said:

You should never rely on the handbrake, always leave the car in gear when you park. 

And the wheels turned so the kerb stops the vehicle.  

Best for the manager to go through insurance as he's likely going to get a payout and manage to fix his car for a fraction of the price.  Just because it's not economical for the insurance company to pay for fixing it doesn't mean it's a write off.  

bargainhunter121

Thanks for the replies. There was no kerb unfortunately just other cars as it was a hotel car park, I parked in between two other cars. I know now I'll always need it in gear though, even on a level surface it seems. Just insurance hit for me then? How many years no claims am I likely to lose?

Car_54

bargainhunter121 said:

Thanks for the replies. There was no kerb unfortunately just other cars as it was a hotel car park, I parked in between two other cars. I know now I'll always need it in gear though, even on a level surface it seems. Just insurance hit for me then? How many years no claims am I likely to lose?

But you said it was "on a very slight hill "???

When I was instructing, I found that most people could learn the hill start technique easily, but many found it difficult to recognise a hill! Best advice, as you say, is always to leave it in gear. (Or P in  an auto).

bargainhunter121

Yes car_54. I'm just saying now I won't take the chance to not leave it in gear as well as the handbrake on, even if on a level surface. That's all I'm saying, I'm not disputing it was a very slight hill. 

Money_and_Travel

This is why I always leave it in gear.