Minor prang - what to do?

[BigEnd77]

Reversed my smartish 04 Honda Civic type S into a 10 plate Ford Kuga in work car park at low speed. Owner has suggested getting quote for damage (not insignificant front bumper scrape and damage to front fog light) and settling privately and avoiding insurance etc. How much would the work have to cost to make this worthwhile? My excess is only £95 and I have full no claims bonus and protection.
Any ballpark ideas would be much appreciated!

[BigEnd77]

[Sheepshanks]

I reckon if you claim for your Civic it might be a write off.

Unless one of you can get "mates rates" a proper garage is going to want £500+ to fix the Kuga, possibly a lot more.

[Pica-Pica]

A sad day when cars got rid of proper ‘bumpers’

[deckster]

That Kuga front-end looks significantly out of alignment to me. I don't reckon that's going to be cheap, I would be gobsmacked at a final bill only in three figures and I would suspect distinctly more.

[MitchT]

Modern car and all the fuss that comes with it - you'll be lucky to see change out of a grand.

[KungFuPanda]

Let your insurer deal with it. That’s what you pay them for.

If not, you’ll be back on here bhing and moaning about a thoroughly reasonable quote to fix the Kuga.

[BigEnd77]

Thanks for advice. Useful to know that insurance claim is probably inevitable. Now...how best to bodge the Honda back to a respectable state!!

[sim16v]

For your Civic, it looks like you might get away with a 2nd hand eBay light and pushing the bumper back in to place, just leaving a dented panel.

[Flooble]

Um, if you have to put in an insurance claim, why would you not be getting your car fixed by them too? Only third party insurance? If you're fully comp it would seem to make no sense not to get both cars done.

[drdino]

Was that damage to the Kuga done solely by you? Is that red paint below the badge?

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Flooble said:

Um, if you have to put in an insurance claim, why would you not be getting your car fixed by them too? Only third party insurance? If you're fully comp it would seem to make no sense not to get both cars done.

^^^This.

[Mr Pointy]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

Flooble said:

Um, if you have to put in an insurance claim, why would you not be getting your car fixed by them too? Only third party insurance? If you're fully comp it would seem to make no sense not to get both cars done.

^^^This.

Because he risks his car getting written off.

[KevinCamaroSS]

Mr Pointy said:

TwigtheWonderkid said:

Flooble said:

Um, if you have to put in an insurance claim, why would you not be getting your car fixed by them too? Only third party insurance? If you're fully comp it would seem to make no sense not to get both cars done.

^^^This.

Because he risks his car getting written off.

In which case he buys it back and fixes it himself with the payout.

[poo at Paul's]

let the insurance deal with it all. Work colleague, works site, that Kuga will be £1200 to fix I reckon.
Not worth getting involved too much as could get messy.

[BigEnd77]

More really helpful stuff- thanks! In terms of minimising increase in my insurance premium next time around, (and accepting the fact that Kuga owner will likely have to claim from my insurance company) is there anything to be gained from not claiming for the damage to the Honda? Or do I have to accept that my premium will inevitably go up and ‘the house always wins’ whatever I do?

[StevenB]

If you don't claim for your car you won't have an excess to pay. it's only payable if you claim for your car.

[esxste]

BigEnd77 said:

More really helpful stuff- thanks! In terms of minimising increase in my insurance premium next time around, (and accepting the fact that Kuga owner will likely have to claim from my insurance company) is there anything to be gained from not claiming for the damage to the Honda? Or do I have to accept that my premium will inevitably go up and ‘the house always wins’ whatever I do?

depends on what you think the premium rise will be. Even a £100 a year increase in your permium will take 5-10 years to cover what you'll shell out for the Kuga. And thats before you consider the possible personal injury claims.


And with £95 excess, you could probably up that significantly to offset the premium hike if one happens

[hyphen]

Pica-Pica said:

A sad day when cars got rid of proper ‘bumpers’

+1

OP - you have a rare car though by todays standards, one without reverse parking sensors! Also does 'no claims protection' actually hold water? Won't they just give an increased premium making up another excuse.

If it is just paint involved rather than a new parts for the Kuga, I would be tempted to go down this route personally. Might as well let him get his quote and decide (check your insurance policy incase it says 'accidents have to be notified with x days' though.

Edited by hyphen on Monday 11th June 23:16

[Second Best]

280E said:

Did the OP also spray black paint over number plate?

I don't understand what pleasure you see in quoting a numberplate wholly unrelated to this thread, apart from impressing yourself with your internet sleuthing skills where it's not required.

With that said, OP, think it's best to go through insurance, and I echo the statements to get your Civic judged too. Am sure there are other PHers with more helpful advice or contacts to see you through this.

For what it's worth, driving into another car is a fairly common incident so I wouldn't be too concerned about any further action being taken. Chalk it down to a life lesson.