Supermarket Bump Through Insurance or not?

beatthebookienet

I'm not sure whether to go through insurance for a low speed bump I had at a petrol station. I drive an Evo X which has a poor turning circle and visibility.

The station was out of super unleaded fuel which my car needs so I reversed to check another pump which was also out and I didn't want to get blocked in/in the way and have to wait 5 minutes for the cars in front to move. I was perpendicular to the pumps and reversed to exit the station and didn't see that a car was pulling into the pump behind me. My rear driver side corner scuffed their front driver side corner at a 90 degree angle. I understand that the blame likely lies with me for reversing although I don't get why they would drive behind a car which was obviously turning. Does the blame 100% lie with me in the event of a claim?

Their newish Picanto had a slightly scuffed bumper and headlight. They have came back to me saying that they have been quoted £500 for a new headlight and £650 for their paintwork but the paintwork may be covered by their separate cosmetic warranty so I would only have to pay for the light. £500 seems like a lot for a basic car's headlight replacement because of a scuff, but they are adamant to use the main dealership and a new part.

On my own car I polished most of the damage out and was prepared to live with but in this case it might be better that I also get mine fully repaired through a claim?

My excess is £500 and a claim like this with me at fault makes my insurance around £100 extra for the next 5 years so this option could cost me £1k but save me a £200 paintwork repair on my own car.

What is the best thing to do?

Hoenir

Whether you claim or not on your insurance you have agreed to notify your insurers of any accidents....... failure to do so potentially has severe consequences. 

Brie

Their repairs may be relatively cheap but they may need a replacement car while these are being done and that will cost a lot more.  Always report any accident to the insurer.

DullGreyGuy

beatthebookienet said:

I'm not sure whether to go through insurance for a low speed bump I had at a petrol station. I drive an Evo X which has a poor turning circle and visibility.

The station was out of super unleaded fuel which my car needs so I reversed to check another pump which was also out and I didn't want to get blocked in/in the way and have to wait 5 minutes for the cars in front to move. I was perpendicular to the pumps and reversed to exit the station and didn't see that a car was pulling into the pump behind me. My rear driver side corner scuffed their front driver side corner at a 90 degree angle. I understand that the blame likely lies with me for reversing although I don't get why they would drive behind a car which was obviously turning. Does the blame 100% lie with me in the event of a claim?

Their newish Picanto had a slightly scuffed bumper and headlight. They have came back to me saying that they have been quoted £500 for a new headlight and £650 for their paintwork but the paintwork may be covered by their separate cosmetic warranty so I would only have to pay for the light. £500 seems like a lot for a basic car's headlight replacement because of a scuff, but they are adamant to use the main dealership and a new part.

On my own car I polished most of the damage out and was prepared to live with but in this case it might be better that I also get mine fully repaired through a claim?

My excess is £500 and a claim like this with me at fault makes my insurance around £100 extra for the next 5 years so this option could cost me £1k but save me a £200 paintwork repair on my own car.

What is the best thing to do?

You only pay the excess if you claim for your own damages, there is no excess to pay on third party claims. If your damage is only £200 then it's below the excess so you couldn't claim using that company. Your insurer will pay much more than that to repair paintwork but then you have to pay £500 towards it if you want them to repair it properly. 

Mildly_Miffed

There are three different questions here...

1. Are you at fault? Yes. You reversed into another vehicle while performing an unusual and unexpected manouevre, through impatience. If you'd been properly looking, then you should have seen it and stopped immediately. If they drove into your stationary vehicle, that would have been their fault. The fact you failed to take account of shortcomings of your vehicle does not absolve you.

2. Should you tell insurance? Yes. If you do not, they will claim anyway, either from your insurance or theirs, and you will have to admit that you have failed to follow the terms of your policy. You will have to notify future insurers for five years anyway, or lie on every single proposal while simultaneously hoping that they have not notified theirs.

3. Is it worth claiming for the damage to your car as well? That's entirely up to you, but you're claiming anyway.

born_again

I would guess that scuffs may not be covered by their cosmetic warranty, due it being caused by a accident. £500 for a LED headlight is cheap.. Most are in the thousands.