Somebody hit me, what do I do?
Discussion
Sorry if this isn't a GG matter - I wasn't sure and was too lazy to double check...
Yesterday, as I walked back to my car in the car park, a girl tried parking into the bay next to mine but went in way too quick, hitting mine. My heart sunk - I was about 15 feet away from it when it happened.
Anyways, despite a humongous dent in her car (Mk6 Fiesta) mine has luckily only been scratched - it is a lot of scratches though, across the right side of the rear bumper and rear wheel arch.
She was very young and really shaken up and didn't really say much - it looked like she was going to burst into tears. Her boyfriend did all the talking. They handed me some forms which already had her details on (got photos of her reg just in case) and I passed on my details.
We tried to calm her down, all shook hands then carried on with our days.
This has never happened to me before and I'm not sure where I should go from here - ideally I'd like to keep insurance out of it as it was a genuine accident and as she's clearly only recently passed her test I don't want her to end up having to pay thousands more over the next few years on her premium, we all make mistakes.
I'd like to get it done and then send her the bill (obviously if she fails to comply I'll then go to the insurance).
Could this prove to be problematic later on? Should I just go through insurance to avoid any possible problems?
Once I upload photo's I'd also like to know a rough respray cost.
Also, admittedly my parking was similar to something you'd see in the bad parking thread - it was a hard spot to get into - the part of the car she hit was technically in the bay she was trying to park in - could this be used against me if we went via insurance?
Yesterday, as I walked back to my car in the car park, a girl tried parking into the bay next to mine but went in way too quick, hitting mine. My heart sunk - I was about 15 feet away from it when it happened.
Anyways, despite a humongous dent in her car (Mk6 Fiesta) mine has luckily only been scratched - it is a lot of scratches though, across the right side of the rear bumper and rear wheel arch.
She was very young and really shaken up and didn't really say much - it looked like she was going to burst into tears. Her boyfriend did all the talking. They handed me some forms which already had her details on (got photos of her reg just in case) and I passed on my details.
We tried to calm her down, all shook hands then carried on with our days.
This has never happened to me before and I'm not sure where I should go from here - ideally I'd like to keep insurance out of it as it was a genuine accident and as she's clearly only recently passed her test I don't want her to end up having to pay thousands more over the next few years on her premium, we all make mistakes.
I'd like to get it done and then send her the bill (obviously if she fails to comply I'll then go to the insurance).
Could this prove to be problematic later on? Should I just go through insurance to avoid any possible problems?
Once I upload photo's I'd also like to know a rough respray cost.
Also, admittedly my parking was similar to something you'd see in the bad parking thread - it was a hard spot to get into - the part of the car she hit was technically in the bay she was trying to park in - could this be used against me if we went via insurance?
Get it fixed yourself or contact your insurance company. BTW did you have on Winter tires? If you do and you have not declared it, it may have voided your insurance. Best check that out first before you make a claim. Also did she have on winter tires? If not that might make it more likely your insurance company get a 0% liability on your part.
It is Winter after all.
It is Winter after all.
TRPGpilot said:
BTW did you have on Winter tires? If you do and you have not declared it, it may have voided your insurance.
Cough b
ks cough.thelawnet said:
You get a quote, get her to pay it, THEN you get the work done.
This. Get a very clear and full quotation so you don't get landed with a hight bill later.Keep it within a short timeframe, don't let it drag on with no money appearing.
Edited by Rick101 on Sunday 9th November 12:16
TRPGpilot said:
Get it fixed yourself or contact your insurance company. BTW did you have on Winter tires? If you do and you have not declared it, it may have voided your insurance. Best check that out first before you make a claim. Also did she have on winter tires? If not that might make it more likely your insurance company get a 0% liability on your part.
It is Winter after all.
Only if it's an X5.It is Winter after all.
TRPGpilot said:
BTW did you have on Winter tires? If you do and you have not declared it, it may have voided your insurance.
Ignoring this muppet would be well worth your while, OP.Get a quote, and have a friendly chat with them. If they don't want to do that, then contact their insurer directly.
I appreciate that you're trying to be fair, but you have to do what is right for you. They may have been all sweet and nice, but when you put a big bill under their nose they may take a different view and at that point, your insurance company will what to know why you didn't contact them as soon as it happened.
As others have said, ignore the tosh about winter tyres. I've never had an insurance policy that specified what type of tyres my car had to have. So long as they are road tyres and in suitable condition, then it will make bugger all difference.
As others have said, ignore the tosh about winter tyres. I've never had an insurance policy that specified what type of tyres my car had to have. So long as they are road tyres and in suitable condition, then it will make bugger all difference.
I have a feeling I know how this will go:
They'll agree to pay cash thinking A. It'll shut you up for a bit while they're shaken and B. It'll only cost 50p to fix.
You'll get a quote of £1000 from a couple of garages and present it to them. At this point, they'll realise that fixing cars is bloody expensive. They'll become aggressive, accusing you of ripping them off and will suggest a 'mate' who can do it for £50.
You won't much fancy Half-Cut-Pete doing the job, so you'll refuse.
They'll get more aggressive, threatening to cut you up if you don't comply.
You'll realise what a mistake you've made and go to the insurers, but because they're on the defensive, they'll deny all liability.
The insurers, because it's too much hassle to investigate, will go 50/50 and you'll end up with an at fault claim on your file despite the fact that you weren't even in the car at the time.
Save yourself the hassle. Treat this as a Darwinian exercise for the young lady. Those of us who don't stack it in car parks benefit from cheaper insurance. Those stupid enough to manage to have an accident at 3mph are priced off the roads for the good of others. You're doing yourself a favour, you're teaching her a valuable lesson about the harsh realities of the big bad world and your doing the rest of us a favour by keeping her out if our way. It's a win-win-win.
Simon.
They'll agree to pay cash thinking A. It'll shut you up for a bit while they're shaken and B. It'll only cost 50p to fix.
You'll get a quote of £1000 from a couple of garages and present it to them. At this point, they'll realise that fixing cars is bloody expensive. They'll become aggressive, accusing you of ripping them off and will suggest a 'mate' who can do it for £50.
You won't much fancy Half-Cut-Pete doing the job, so you'll refuse.
They'll get more aggressive, threatening to cut you up if you don't comply.
You'll realise what a mistake you've made and go to the insurers, but because they're on the defensive, they'll deny all liability.
The insurers, because it's too much hassle to investigate, will go 50/50 and you'll end up with an at fault claim on your file despite the fact that you weren't even in the car at the time.
Save yourself the hassle. Treat this as a Darwinian exercise for the young lady. Those of us who don't stack it in car parks benefit from cheaper insurance. Those stupid enough to manage to have an accident at 3mph are priced off the roads for the good of others. You're doing yourself a favour, you're teaching her a valuable lesson about the harsh realities of the big bad world and your doing the rest of us a favour by keeping her out if our way. It's a win-win-win.
Simon.
ferrariF50lover said:
I have a feeling I know how this will go:
They'll agree to pay cash thinking A. It'll shut you up for a bit while they're shaken and B. It'll only cost 50p to fix.
You'll get a quote of £1000 from a couple of garages and present it to them. At this point, they'll realise that fixing cars is bloody expensive. They'll become aggressive, accusing you of ripping them off and will suggest a 'mate' who can do it for £50.
You won't much fancy Half-Cut-Pete doing the job, so you'll refuse.
They'll get more aggressive, threatening to cut you up if you don't comply.
You'll realise what a mistake you've made and go to the insurers, but because they're on the defensive, they'll deny all liability.
The insurers, because it's too much hassle to investigate, will go 50/50 and you'll end up with an at fault claim on your file despite the fact that you weren't even in the car at the time.
Save yourself the hassle. Treat this as a Darwinian exercise for the young lady. Those of us who don't stack it in car parks benefit from cheaper insurance. Those stupid enough to manage to have an accident at 3mph are priced off the roads for the good of others. You're doing yourself a favour, you're teaching her a valuable lesson about the harsh realities of the big bad world and your doing the rest of us a favour by keeping her out if our way. It's a win-win-win.
Simon.
Are you saying just let her off and pay out of your own pocket when you've just witnessed somebody crashing into your car? They'll agree to pay cash thinking A. It'll shut you up for a bit while they're shaken and B. It'll only cost 50p to fix.
You'll get a quote of £1000 from a couple of garages and present it to them. At this point, they'll realise that fixing cars is bloody expensive. They'll become aggressive, accusing you of ripping them off and will suggest a 'mate' who can do it for £50.
You won't much fancy Half-Cut-Pete doing the job, so you'll refuse.
They'll get more aggressive, threatening to cut you up if you don't comply.
You'll realise what a mistake you've made and go to the insurers, but because they're on the defensive, they'll deny all liability.
The insurers, because it's too much hassle to investigate, will go 50/50 and you'll end up with an at fault claim on your file despite the fact that you weren't even in the car at the time.
Save yourself the hassle. Treat this as a Darwinian exercise for the young lady. Those of us who don't stack it in car parks benefit from cheaper insurance. Those stupid enough to manage to have an accident at 3mph are priced off the roads for the good of others. You're doing yourself a favour, you're teaching her a valuable lesson about the harsh realities of the big bad world and your doing the rest of us a favour by keeping her out if our way. It's a win-win-win.
Simon.
I would just go through insurance, most of the stories I've read and people I know who it has happened to have just had problems.
The person will tell you what you want to hear there and then but the story changes as soon as they get home and have a think about it!
TonyTony said:
ferrariF50lover said:
I have a feeling I know how this will go:
They'll agree to pay cash thinking A. It'll shut you up for a bit while they're shaken and B. It'll only cost 50p to fix.
You'll get a quote of £1000 from a couple of garages and present it to them. At this point, they'll realise that fixing cars is bloody expensive. They'll become aggressive, accusing you of ripping them off and will suggest a 'mate' who can do it for £50.
You won't much fancy Half-Cut-Pete doing the job, so you'll refuse.
They'll get more aggressive, threatening to cut you up if you don't comply.
You'll realise what a mistake you've made and go to the insurers, but because they're on the defensive, they'll deny all liability.
The insurers, because it's too much hassle to investigate, will go 50/50 and you'll end up with an at fault claim on your file despite the fact that you weren't even in the car at the time.
Save yourself the hassle. Treat this as a Darwinian exercise for the young lady. Those of us who don't stack it in car parks benefit from cheaper insurance. Those stupid enough to manage to have an accident at 3mph are priced off the roads for the good of others. You're doing yourself a favour, you're teaching her a valuable lesson about the harsh realities of the big bad world and your doing the rest of us a favour by keeping her out if our way. It's a win-win-win.
Simon.
Are you saying just let her off and pay out of your own pocket when you've just witnessed somebody crashing into your car? They'll agree to pay cash thinking A. It'll shut you up for a bit while they're shaken and B. It'll only cost 50p to fix.
You'll get a quote of £1000 from a couple of garages and present it to them. At this point, they'll realise that fixing cars is bloody expensive. They'll become aggressive, accusing you of ripping them off and will suggest a 'mate' who can do it for £50.
You won't much fancy Half-Cut-Pete doing the job, so you'll refuse.
They'll get more aggressive, threatening to cut you up if you don't comply.
You'll realise what a mistake you've made and go to the insurers, but because they're on the defensive, they'll deny all liability.
The insurers, because it's too much hassle to investigate, will go 50/50 and you'll end up with an at fault claim on your file despite the fact that you weren't even in the car at the time.
Save yourself the hassle. Treat this as a Darwinian exercise for the young lady. Those of us who don't stack it in car parks benefit from cheaper insurance. Those stupid enough to manage to have an accident at 3mph are priced off the roads for the good of others. You're doing yourself a favour, you're teaching her a valuable lesson about the harsh realities of the big bad world and your doing the rest of us a favour by keeping her out if our way. It's a win-win-win.
Simon.
I would just go through insurance, most of the stories I've read and people I know who it has happened to have just had problems.
The person will tell you what you want to hear there and then but the story changes as soon as they get home and have a think about it!
I agree. Just call the insurance company.
TRPGpilot said:
Get it fixed yourself or contact your insurance company. BTW did you have on Winter tires? If you do and you have not declared it, it may have voided your insurance. Best check that out first before you make a claim. Also did she have on winter tires? If not that might make it more likely your insurance company get a 0% liability on your part.
It is Winter after all.
I can't find an emoticon big enough to do this justice. Still, this'll do for now: It is Winter after all.
ferrariF50lover said:
I have a feeling I know how this will go:
They'll agree to pay cash thinking A. It'll shut you up for a bit while they're shaken and B. It'll only cost 50p to fix.
You'll get a quote of £1000 from a couple of garages and present it to them. At this point, they'll realise that fixing cars is bloody expensive. They'll become aggressive, accusing you of ripping them off and will suggest a 'mate' who can do it for £50.
You won't much fancy Half-Cut-Pete doing the job, so you'll refuse.
They'll get more aggressive, threatening to cut you up if you don't comply.
You'll realise what a mistake you've made and go to the insurers, but because they're on the defensive, they'll deny all liability.
The insurers, because it's too much hassle to investigate, will go 50/50 and you'll end up with an at fault claim on your file despite the fact that you weren't even in the car at the time.
Save yourself the hassle. Treat this as a Darwinian exercise for the young lady. Those of us who don't stack it in car parks benefit from cheaper insurance. Those stupid enough to manage to have an accident at 3mph are priced off the roads for the good of others. You're doing yourself a favour, you're teaching her a valuable lesson about the harsh realities of the big bad world and your doing the rest of us a favour by keeping her out if our way. It's a win-win-win.
Simon.
Simon says, so just do it.They'll agree to pay cash thinking A. It'll shut you up for a bit while they're shaken and B. It'll only cost 50p to fix.
You'll get a quote of £1000 from a couple of garages and present it to them. At this point, they'll realise that fixing cars is bloody expensive. They'll become aggressive, accusing you of ripping them off and will suggest a 'mate' who can do it for £50.
You won't much fancy Half-Cut-Pete doing the job, so you'll refuse.
They'll get more aggressive, threatening to cut you up if you don't comply.
You'll realise what a mistake you've made and go to the insurers, but because they're on the defensive, they'll deny all liability.
The insurers, because it's too much hassle to investigate, will go 50/50 and you'll end up with an at fault claim on your file despite the fact that you weren't even in the car at the time.
Save yourself the hassle. Treat this as a Darwinian exercise for the young lady. Those of us who don't stack it in car parks benefit from cheaper insurance. Those stupid enough to manage to have an accident at 3mph are priced off the roads for the good of others. You're doing yourself a favour, you're teaching her a valuable lesson about the harsh realities of the big bad world and your doing the rest of us a favour by keeping her out if our way. It's a win-win-win.
Simon.
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