Child's Accidental Damage To Neighbour's Car

EarthboundMisfit2112

Hello Knowledgeable People,

My 5-year-old daughter hit a neighbour's car with a stick and cracked the headlight casing.

It was an accident - she was playing/running past and not intentionally causing damage - but we have video evidence to prove that she is responsible for the damage - and I am obviously responsible for her!

I offered to pay for the damage as soon as I was presented with the evidence. The neighbour has been very calm, communicative and helpful, but unfortunately the quote for repair has come back at just over £1700, which I can't afford to pay outright.

Does anyone have any advice?

I am waiting to hear back from my home insurance people, as a quick Google search suggested that this might be covered, depending on the policy, but I am not well-versed in the realms of insurance or damaging other people's property!

Thanks in advance!

maisie_cat

Firstly, how old is the car? For a five year old with a, presumably wooden stick to crack a headlight it would have to be very weak, already damaged or have plastic fatigue. 
Secondly, how is a headlight casing £1700?

EarthboundMisfit2112

The garages my neighbour has asked so far have said either 'they can't do it' or 'the whole headlamp unit needs to be replaced'. (She and I are both looking elsewhere for quotes to confirm). I'm gobsmacked by the amount.

I'm not sure how to tell the age of a car, but it's a decent-looking Mercedes in good nick.

Sadly, it was a very sturdy wooden stick (that will no longer be played with around cars!!!). I guess my daughter just caught it on a weak spot!

EarthboundMisfit2112

maisie_cat said:

Firstly, how old is the car? For a five year old with a, presumably wooden stick to crack a headlight it would have to be very weak, already damaged or have plastic fatigue. 
Secondly, how is a headlight casing £1700?

The garages my neighbour has asked so far have said either 'they can't do it' or 'the whole headlamp unit needs to be replaced'. (She and I are both looking elsewhere for quotes to confirm). I'm gobsmacked by the amount.

I'm not sure how to tell the age of a car, but it's a decent-looking Mercedes in good nick.

Sadly, it was a very sturdy wooden stick (that will no longer be played with around cars!!!). I guess my daughter just caught it on a weak spot!

mebu60

EarthboundMisfit2112 said:

maisie_cat said:

Firstly, how old is the car? For a five year old with a, presumably wooden stick to crack a headlight it would have to be very weak, already damaged or have plastic fatigue. 
Secondly, how is a headlight casing £1700?

I'm not sure how to tell the age of a car, but it's a decent-looking Mercedes in good nick.

Unless the Merc has a personalised number plate the registration mark will give a good clue. 

TheMilkmansDad

mebu60 said:

EarthboundMisfit2112 said:

maisie_cat said:

Firstly, how old is the car? For a five year old with a, presumably wooden stick to crack a headlight it would have to be very weak, already damaged or have plastic fatigue. 
Secondly, how is a headlight casing £1700?

I'm not sure how to tell the age of a car, but it's a decent-looking Mercedes in good nick.

Unless the Merc has a personalised number plate the registration mark will give a good clue. 

or just go to the DVLA website and type in the reg number - will tell you date of 1st registered i believe.

DullGreyGuy

EarthboundMisfit2112 said:

maisie_cat said:

Firstly, how old is the car? For a five year old with a, presumably wooden stick to crack a headlight it would have to be very weak, already damaged or have plastic fatigue. 
Secondly, how is a headlight casing £1700?

I'm not sure how to tell the age of a car, but it's a decent-looking Mercedes in good nick.

UK number plates are typically in the format AB12 XYZ. The number part of the plate tells you the year, though if the number is over 50 you have to deduct 50 from it so AB72 XYZ would be a 2022 vehicle.  This won't apply if they've put a cherish plate on the car but the plate has to be older than the car is. 


You child as a 5 year old is not legally liable for the damage they cause. A parent may or may not be liable for the damage their young child causes, it's not automatic that they are. You are expected to exercise reasonable control, the younger the kid the more control is expected but are not legally their servant or agent so as long as reasonable control was in place no liability transfers to you. 

Replacing a whole headlight unit on a relatively recent merc will be expensive. Ultimately you could had the matter to your Contents Insurer but they may well argue that there is no liability and as such tell your neighbour to go whistle. 

Bradden

Could the car owner claim on their own insurance and the OP pays the excess?

DullGreyGuy

Bradden said:

Could the car owner claim on their own insurance and the OP pays the excess?

They could, it's then a fault claim to be declared for 5 years with the impact on NCD, premiums etc. 

Their insure may try and sue the OP but then the OP's insurer would respond. Its likely claim via an insurer will be notably more than the private repair cost for the same job. 

tacpot12

The normal answer to not being able to afford an unexpected expense is to get a personal loan. 

You can potentially save money by having the headlight fixed at a different garage, but the owner has a reasonable expectation that a Mercedes part will be fitted not some cheap aftermarket garbage. You could call around the local Mercedes dealers to see if you can get the part at the best possible price, and then fit it yourself. They usually just bolt or clip in, and there may be a Youtube video that shows you what to do. alternatively a local garage will fit the part for their normal labour charge.   

The dealer will be able to quote for the headlight if you give them the VRN. 

EarthboundMisfit2112

TheMilkmansDad said:

mebu60 said:

EarthboundMisfit2112 said:

maisie_cat said:

Firstly, how old is the car? For a five year old with a, presumably wooden stick to crack a headlight it would have to be very weak, already damaged or have plastic fatigue. 
Secondly, how is a headlight casing £1700?

I'm not sure how to tell the age of a car, but it's a decent-looking Mercedes in good nick.

Unless the Merc has a personalised number plate the registration mark will give a good clue. 

or just go to the DVLA website and type in the reg number - will tell you date of 1st registered i believe.

Cheers: Year of manufacture 2018