Mercedes tries to mount my MX5 - should I claim

[thegman]

Came back to my car last night - (it had been parked in the station car park all day) to find this:




Hard to tell from these pics (it was raining and my bbery camera is pants) but I am square in my space. He is about 3 foot forward of his space and resting on my drivers door.

I am guessing the car slid after parking as it was parked on thick ice. Either that or the driver was properly mental.

Luckily it has only left a 10p sized dent in the car as the wing mirror seems to have stopped the other car. Not a big deal but annoying. Was quite a challenge climbing over from the passenger door. MX5's are not roomy inside.

Q - should/can I claim on their insurance. Given its very minor damage its not worth it if my insurer is going to spike my premiums even on a no fault claim. Anyone had any experience of car park dents and effect on insurance?

Cheers

[RB Will]

If it is going to cost less or similar to fix than to pay your excess then dont bother with the insurance.

[Jammiedodger]

Did you manage to speak to the driver?

[McSam]

I would be looking to settle with the owner of the Merc directly. I don't know your situation but I'd have left a note with my contact details stating I had his registration and would report it if he wasn't forthcoming (to encourage him to contact you), but that I wanted to deal with it amicably.

Sure a few hundred quid in a bodyshop is greatly preferable to that guy than dealing with the insurance repercussions, and it means you get the car repaired free without the ongoing costs that even a non-fault claim will bring you.

Though it is worth mentioning that your excess is irrelevant as it would be his insurance that pays, not yours, so no cost to you on that front, just the increased premiums.

[chrisxr2]

I would be asking the other driver to put his or her hand in their pocket.

[thegman]

Unfortunately the driver was not there (ie car was parked). And I didnt have any writing materials to hand.

I have the reg but am not sure how I could contact the owner independantly?

[McSam]

thegman said:

Unfortunately the driver was not there (ie car was parked). And I didnt have any writing materials to hand.

I have the reg but am not sure how I could contact the owner independantly?

Ah, the nightmare of the modern age

You have photographic evidence which (I presume, in other photos you must have) also includes the full registration of the car, so that's good. DVLA will, for what I believe is a £5 fee, give you the registered keeper's address if you have a legitimate reason - but I'm not sure if this counts, as theoretically it should be your insurers who are getting his details.

That said, it's illegal for him not to provide his details as he caused damage to your property, so.. Complex one. The DVLA route might be worth a look, anyway.

[kaf]

DVLA will provide if you supply the reason.