Someone has hit my car - What to consider/do? (Plus some Qs)

[Pulse]

Right, some kind fellow has hit my car, so just making sure I don't miss anything...

The story first...
Parked outside the other half's parents house, someone reverses into my car. He knows he has hit it, gets out, thinks he can't see anything, drives off. The people he was there to see then come over, and tell me.
I get onto my insurance to let them know. I also ring the local police, just in case, as he has effectively driven away from the scene of an accident.

I have since spoken to him, and he has admitted liability over the phone to me. It's a company car, and he has provided me with his insurance details. I will be phoning his insurance company at around midday tomorrow to make sure he has processed the claim. I will also be calling him again to make sure he has done it.

So, my questions...

Anything I need to do in addition to that?

I want an equivalent car - Can I have one? I shouldn't have to drive around in a 1.0 Corsa while my Z4 is off the road.

I don't want to pay my excess, if I can avoid it. I assume I won't have to, because he has admitted liability?

I want to take it to a repairer of my choice. I assume I am able to do this?

A friend from here has suggested I use a company such as http://www.europaconsultants.co.uk/index.php - Anyone know what the benefits and negatives to using this sort of place would be? Also, how does it all work? Seems they would have an equivalent car in the Boxster or Cayman at least, and I assume they'd take care of the hassle for me?


More than anything, I am concerned that you'll be able to tell it has been repaired, which is absolutely gutting. That and the hassle of all of this!

I suppose in addition, does anyone know of a highly recommended place to take it? Don't mind travelling.

Thanks for all the help in advance.

Yours, fking pissed off at the fking stupid wker who hit into my car. .

[dibbly_dobbler]

Bummer !

All should be ok though given that he is admitting liability.

Pulse said:

Anything I need to do in addition to that?

Not that I know of

Pulse said:

I don't want to pay my excess, if I can avoid it. I assume I won't have to, because he has admitted liability?

Correct

Pulse said:

I want to take it to a repairer of my choice. I assume I am able to do this?

Essential! Dont let them fob you off with some cheapo chop shop - I made this mistake before and regretted it bitterly!

Pulse said:

A friend from here has suggested I use a company such as http://www.europaconsultants.co.uk/index.php - Anyone know what the benefits and negatives to using this sort of place would be? Also, how does it all work? Seems they would have an equivalent car in the Boxster or Cayman at least, and I assume they'd take care of the hassle for me?

Sorry not familiar with this lot - not sure why it is necessary ? You might enjoy thraping a banger for a few day, look on the bright side !

If it's done properly you wont be able to tell what has been repaired - the main 'cost' is in hassle sorting out all the admin crap...

Chin up

[essayer]

For an 07 Z4 (still warrantied?) I'd take it to BMW. They'll probably sub it out, but you will be able to easily rectify any problems that might occur with the repair, and no hassle with your paintwork warranty.

Make sure his insurance co admits liability in writing though.. it will make little difference what *he* has said at this point. Do not accept any kind of cash settlement!

re. like-for-like car, my personal belief is that all this does is push everyone's premium up in the long term; maybe find out what BMW's courtesy cars are. I was loaned a Mini, and that was pretty fun. If they stick you in an old Corsa though, I'd be complaining

Edited by essayer on Monday 25th January 00:26

[AB]

The petty side of me says get onto Europa Consultants and get yourself a Porsche Boxster whilst yours is in for repair due to him being a dick and not stopping. Although if he genuinely thought there was no damage and did check, then cut him some slack.

I'd call his insurance, get their OK to send it to BMW to have it repaired, then forward the bill. You'll probably drive around in a 1 series whilst it is done.

I had someone go into the back of me last year, used Europa (faultless service FWIW) but I think the huge cost of renting the Porsche for a couple of weeks has meant the 3rd party insurer has seen their arse and are now being awkward.

I now just want an end to my case.

Get it sorted, properly but easily.

[Pulse]

Thanks for the responses so far.

I think I will go down the 'whatever car they give me' route. I don't want anything giving me hassle, like the 3rd party being awkward about paying.

As for taking it to BMW... I would, but we don't get on very well as it is, and they'll send it to a sprayshop which isn't rated very highly. Does it matter if I take it to somewhere else, warranty-wise? The paintjob will be warrantied through the paintshop anyway, won't it?

AB, what has happened in your case? What's the hold up? How long has it been? Why can't we just have insurers that when someone is actually decent enough to admit liability, they just pay out no problems? We pay enough for insurance!

[Pulse]

Just thought... Will my insurance go up, even though my insurers shouldn't have to be involved at all?

[AB]

You still need to inform them, they ask if you have had any accidents or claims regardless of fault. It shouldn't but in reality it probably will.

I think in my case they are seriously unhappy with the amount? But I could be wrong.

[Vipers]

Pulse said:

Just thought... Will my insurance go up, even though my insurers shouldn't have to be involved at all?

Mine didn't. By the way, re repair shop of your choice, I had the option of "Someone" picking up my car, driving it 60 miles to the "Authorised" agent, and they would give me a free hire, or if I chose to use my local dealer, whilst they would pay for the repair, they wouldnt supply a replacement car.

Now seeing as I just dont want some plonker, (even a smoker god forbid) driving my car there and back, chose the local agent, who supplies a replacement car for £11 a day. Good luck.

[Anatol]

Very recent case law affecting companies that manage claims and arrange hire cars - it's been judicially recognised that they can introduce delays in the process and extend hire periods that insurers aren't responsible for. If you do decide to use one, bear in mind that insurers may not be liable for all their costs, and check the T's & C's to make sure that the claimant can't be held responsible for any fees in the event that they can't recover them elsewhere...

Tol

ETA: article in this month's VBRA magazine about more dirty tactics in use by insurers to try and push car owners to using the repairers that give the insurer the biggest kickbacks. "You won't get a courtesy car" or "We'll send an engineer in that case, up to a 10 day delay" or "you won't get a guarantee" or "we can only accept estimates on X computer system" are typical. These may be less relevant in a 3rd party claim, but they are all bogus. The repairer can arrange you a courtesy car, make the insurer aware that if they introduce a 10 day delay you will advise them of any extra costs you incur as a result (and note the tacit agreement with the ABI that no matter the location of the vehicle, an engineer should see it within 72 hours), the repairer guarantees the work, not the insurer, and they are legally obliged to accept a quote unless they can show that it is unreasonable.

Edited by Anatol on Monday 25th January 07:55

[Pulse]

Have spoken to my insurers, and they waive the excess if I use one of their repairers. I have declined at the moment, as the job is too important. They automatically default to a like for like hire car, which is through Enterprise. I assume my insurers will now process everything for me?

Also, spoke to the bloke last night who had absolutely no remorse.

[AB]

Pulse said:

Have spoken to my insurers, and they waive the excess if I use one of their repairers. I have declined at the moment, as the job is too important. They automatically default to a like for like hire car, which is through Enterprise. I assume my insurers will now process everything for me?

Also, spoke to the bloke last night who had absolutely no remorse.

Is this through e-sure as it seems similar to the person who scraped me.

Only issue I had, but went along with it anyway, was 100 mile round trip with a mechanic driving my car. Managed to use half a tank of fuel and the entire (freshly filled) bottle of washer fluid.

Ah well.

[Anatol]

Pulse said:

Have spoken to my insurers, and they waive the excess if I use one of their repairers.

?!?

A 3rd party is fully at fault. You (or your insurer) will recover 100% from them.

There is no excess element in 3rd party claims(unless you have to pay it up front, in which case you'll be entitled to a full refund of it anyway if another party is fully at fault). The 'waiver' they are talking about is nonsense.

Tol

[frosted]

You may want him to pay for the damage out his own pocket . The reason for that is that even if it wasn't your fault your premium will increase next year

[Pulse]

frosted said:

You may want him to pay for the damage out his own pocket . The reason for that is that even if it wasn't your fault your premium will increase next year

He wouldn't want to do that. It's a company car.

[N Dentressangle]

frosted said:

You may want him to pay for the damage out his own pocket . The reason for that is that even if it wasn't your fault your premium will increase next year

You can't make him pay out of his own pocket, but he might consider it if the damage isn't too expensive and he realises how much his own insurance will increase.

Your insurance will almost certainly increase on renewal if he claims on his. To find out how much by, just put the details into confused.com or similar, including the notional no-fault claim. My renewal was 10% more expensive even with a no-fault £50 claim for a parking ding. The OP wouldn't settle for cash so I just paid the £50 myself.

It's worth playing with the sums and working out what arrangement actually leaves you better off in the longer term.

[frosted]

N Dentressangle said:

frosted said:

You may want him to pay for the damage out his own pocket . The reason for that is that even if it wasn't your fault your premium will increase next year

You can't make him pay out of his own pocket, but he might consider it if the damage isn't too expensive and he realises how much his own insurance will increase.

Your insurance will almost certainly increase on renewal if he claims on his. To find out how much by, just put the details into confused.com or similar, including the notional no-fault claim. My renewal was 10% more expensive even with a no-fault £50 claim for a parking ding. The OP wouldn't settle for cash so I just paid the £50 myself.

It's worth playing with the sums and working out what arrangement actually leaves you better off in the longer term.

Listen to what he said , 10% over 3-5 years is alot of money

Edited by frosted on Monday 25th January 10:42

[Storm 911]

Get an equivalent car - There are many companies offering 'prestige' car hire for people in your circumstances. When some guy smashed into the back of my Audi TT I was offered a Corsa for 2/3 weeks - I declined and arranged the hire of a brand new M3 through one of this companies.

What's more fun? Flying around in a knackered Corsa, or a new M3 - I'll leave you to choose...

Your insurance will go up (unless you've got a very understanding insurer - I've yet to hear of one). The good news is that it won't be to the same degree as if it had been a 'fault' claim.

You can certainly take it to the repairer of your choice, and you can specify that it's repaired by BMW (which I certainly would in your case, for warranty issues). However, the insurer will have to agree the claim - which can slow things down as you don't have to do this if you go with a 'recommended repairer'. Still, this'll be more days flying about in a nice car, so don't worry.

Whilst you can't claim for an insurance increase, you can claim for loss of value to your vehicle because it's been in an accident and has had to have significant repair. I needed a new rear bumper, respray and new exhaust tips and after filing a claim for loss of value I got offered £300 (which I put towards my insurance increase).

Good luck sorting it out!

[Pulse]

I need to keep my warranty, so I guess it'll have to be the local BMW place? (which doesn't get good press)

[Anatol]

frosted said:

N Dentressangle said:

frosted said:

You may want him to pay for the damage out his own pocket . The reason for that is that even if it wasn't your fault your premium will increase next year

You can't make him pay out of his own pocket, but he might consider it if the damage isn't too expensive and he realises how much his own insurance will increase.

Your insurance will almost certainly increase on renewal if he claims on his. To find out how much by, just put the details into confused.com or similar, including the notional no-fault claim. My renewal was 10% more expensive even with a no-fault £50 claim for a parking ding. The OP wouldn't settle for cash so I just paid the £50 myself.

It's worth playing with the sums and working out what arrangement actually leaves you better off in the longer term.

Listen to what he said , 10% over 3-5 years is alot of money

Your insurance contract probably requires you to notify them of the accident, and may well load your premium based on the accident history, whether there is a formal insurance claim or not.

Failing to notify them could invalidate your cover.

Tread carefully!

Tol

Edited by Anatol on Monday 25th January 12:45

[Pulse]

Anyone know re warranty? Assuming I have to take it to BMW.