Bumper damage - Car drove off
Discussion
Hi, I'm hoping someone can give me some practical advice here. I got back late last night at around 11ish. I had to take the dog for a walk so was walking around residential West London streets. I just happened to be walking close to my car and I noticed a BMW 5 series trying to park in quite a small space behind my car. Now I know the space was really too small as I'd tried to park there earlier in our Volvo V70 and realised it was really just going to work without bumping other cars.
I watched as the 5 series bumped gently into the car behind mine and then watched as he drove into my rear bumper as he tried to get his car in. At this point I went over and stood by his window. His wife was inside asleep and he looked strangley at me then opened his window. I said "This is my car, please stop driving into my car" I was quite calm and civil being aware of the fact this is London and you can't be overly precious. Whilst he hit it quite hard there was no obvious damage, just really minor scratches to the centre which could have been there before and would polish out.
The guy looked and me and fairly said 'sorry' in an American accent. I waited until he completed his parking and then decided to leave it. My car is my pride and joy but if someone is man enough to apologise humbly then theres not much more that can be said. I left him too it and went home.
I went to work this morning and his car was still there behind mine and I inspected his car. The front had a lot of chips in the centre suggesting he had bump parked a fair bit. I thought I'll take a picture of his number plate just in case but then thought I'd just stop being precious and go to work.
So - I came back from work this evening and his car was gone. However not without leaving a big scratch though to the plastic on the offside corner as he pulled away.
I was more angry with myself for not taking the picture but decided to leave it.
We were planning to leave town this evening but as the M4 was screwed decided to turn round. I told my wife about what happened and she suggested looking for his car. I said it was a BMW 5 series and would you believe it I saw it parked just up the road. I stopped the car as soon as possible and went back to see if it was his car. Clearly in Chelsea 5 series are not uncommon but I thought I'd check. When I got there I saw the lights were on and the car was pulling away. I couldnt get to him as I would have had to run across two lanes of traffic but I clearly recognised him and his wife. I noted his number plate 'DOM 300' but had to just watch him drive off.
Now I know it's possible he didn't realise he hit me but I doubt it. The car was blaring with parking sensors with the solid tone (i.e. stop now) so I think he should have showed more respect.
He is probably a local as he was parked in a residents bay but there is a good chance I wont see his car again, and less chance of finding where he lives.
I want to speak to him about getting my bumper repaired but don't know how to track him. I can't imagine the police would care about this and there is no proof it was him anyway.
Any ideas? Should I speak to my insurance?
I watched as the 5 series bumped gently into the car behind mine and then watched as he drove into my rear bumper as he tried to get his car in. At this point I went over and stood by his window. His wife was inside asleep and he looked strangley at me then opened his window. I said "This is my car, please stop driving into my car" I was quite calm and civil being aware of the fact this is London and you can't be overly precious. Whilst he hit it quite hard there was no obvious damage, just really minor scratches to the centre which could have been there before and would polish out.
The guy looked and me and fairly said 'sorry' in an American accent. I waited until he completed his parking and then decided to leave it. My car is my pride and joy but if someone is man enough to apologise humbly then theres not much more that can be said. I left him too it and went home.
I went to work this morning and his car was still there behind mine and I inspected his car. The front had a lot of chips in the centre suggesting he had bump parked a fair bit. I thought I'll take a picture of his number plate just in case but then thought I'd just stop being precious and go to work.
So - I came back from work this evening and his car was gone. However not without leaving a big scratch though to the plastic on the offside corner as he pulled away.
I was more angry with myself for not taking the picture but decided to leave it.We were planning to leave town this evening but as the M4 was screwed decided to turn round. I told my wife about what happened and she suggested looking for his car. I said it was a BMW 5 series and would you believe it I saw it parked just up the road. I stopped the car as soon as possible and went back to see if it was his car. Clearly in Chelsea 5 series are not uncommon but I thought I'd check. When I got there I saw the lights were on and the car was pulling away. I couldnt get to him as I would have had to run across two lanes of traffic but I clearly recognised him and his wife. I noted his number plate 'DOM 300' but had to just watch him drive off.
Now I know it's possible he didn't realise he hit me but I doubt it. The car was blaring with parking sensors with the solid tone (i.e. stop now) so I think he should have showed more respect.
He is probably a local as he was parked in a residents bay but there is a good chance I wont see his car again, and less chance of finding where he lives.
I want to speak to him about getting my bumper repaired but don't know how to track him. I can't imagine the police would care about this and there is no proof it was him anyway.
Any ideas? Should I speak to my insurance?
Edited by Rawhide on Friday 15th February 22:03
It's bloody frustrating, only today, whilst cleaning my little car, I found a new gouge out of the bumper.
My car is parked outside a beauty salon during the day, and is regularly nudged and budged by women in cars that are too big for them. I've never managed to catch any of them either.
Unfortunatley, unless you can contact the guy and he 'fesses' up, you'll be risking loss of NCB or raised premiums once you have toi tick the 'Any claims in the last 5 years' box
My car is parked outside a beauty salon during the day, and is regularly nudged and budged by women in cars that are too big for them. I've never managed to catch any of them either.
Unfortunatley, unless you can contact the guy and he 'fesses' up, you'll be risking loss of NCB or raised premiums once you have toi tick the 'Any claims in the last 5 years' box
Buff Mchugelarge said:
Unfortunatley, unless you can contact the guy and he 'fesses' up, you'll be risking loss of NCB or raised premiums once you have toi tick the 'Any claims in the last 5 years' box
I've already had to claim when my wife scraped our Volvo this year anyway. I'm wondering how it could affect my premium unless I actually claimed on my policy? Do the insurers still load your premium by trying to find a third party?It's really not worth me claiming for myself.
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