Bumper knock at 5mph - what to do?
Discussion
Evening all
Had my first bump in 10+ years of driving recently... I misjudged breaking distance and overshot a give way line - caught my mistake and tried to reverse back to avoid on coming traffic. Luckily that worked, but in doing so I hit bumpers with the car behind me.
Low speed and distance (2 seconds according to dash cam). Beyond some scrapes the bumpers looked OK, nothing broken or dented. I'm not bothered about my vehicle and the other driver knew someone with a garage to get theirs sorted. As we're talking minimal damage we agreed to discuss settling privately.
I've filed a report with my insurer declaring the situation and that I don't anticipate a claim going forward.
Driver has asked for £350 to settle, I agreed to this on basis that I would be paying a garage with card and would require job sheet outlining the work. First the garage changes, then I'm sent personal bank details of someone (not the driver) to send the money too. Again, I stipulate that I'll be paying a garage with card and will need a receipt, I'm told that's fine.
With assurances made, I visit said garage 20 odd miles way with intention of paying. The car hasn't been in for the work yet and I was told the quote was "off the books" price for cash / no receipt - not happening.
I hoped to settle the matter quickly so we could both move on but this is turning into a major headache... I've a £200 excess, protected NCD and a clean license. In the short term it's going to cost less for me to go via insurance. In the long term, I've no idea as I haven't had to deal with a claim before.
What would you do next, given the above?
Had my first bump in 10+ years of driving recently... I misjudged breaking distance and overshot a give way line - caught my mistake and tried to reverse back to avoid on coming traffic. Luckily that worked, but in doing so I hit bumpers with the car behind me.
Low speed and distance (2 seconds according to dash cam). Beyond some scrapes the bumpers looked OK, nothing broken or dented. I'm not bothered about my vehicle and the other driver knew someone with a garage to get theirs sorted. As we're talking minimal damage we agreed to discuss settling privately.
I've filed a report with my insurer declaring the situation and that I don't anticipate a claim going forward.
Driver has asked for £350 to settle, I agreed to this on basis that I would be paying a garage with card and would require job sheet outlining the work. First the garage changes, then I'm sent personal bank details of someone (not the driver) to send the money too. Again, I stipulate that I'll be paying a garage with card and will need a receipt, I'm told that's fine.
With assurances made, I visit said garage 20 odd miles way with intention of paying. The car hasn't been in for the work yet and I was told the quote was "off the books" price for cash / no receipt - not happening.
I hoped to settle the matter quickly so we could both move on but this is turning into a major headache... I've a £200 excess, protected NCD and a clean license. In the short term it's going to cost less for me to go via insurance. In the long term, I've no idea as I haven't had to deal with a claim before.
What would you do next, given the above?
Your insistence on receipts etc could push this into an insurance claim.
How bad was the damage? do you think 350 is fair (are you aware of repair costs - you dont get much for 350)
do you care if he keeps the cash rather than repairing the damage?
I'd be inclined to get him to sign a receipt as full and final payment and make the bank xfr to his account. I'd have a witness present.
How bad was the damage? do you think 350 is fair (are you aware of repair costs - you dont get much for 350)
do you care if he keeps the cash rather than repairing the damage?
I'd be inclined to get him to sign a receipt as full and final payment and make the bank xfr to his account. I'd have a witness present.
Oddly enough my renewal price didn't increase after logging the report, as there's no claim (my new policy starts tomorrow). It was very surprised by this, but the person I spoke to insisted this was the case before I agreed and paid for another year's cover today.
It's an awkward situation, we both want it sorted asap but my insurer strongly advised that I get some kind of written evidence of settlement.
The damage isn't bad, I can live with it on my car (top pic) but I wouldn't expect them to considering the circumstances.
It's an awkward situation, we both want it sorted asap but my insurer strongly advised that I get some kind of written evidence of settlement.
The damage isn't bad, I can live with it on my car (top pic) but I wouldn't expect them to considering the circumstances.
hyundai_guy said:
That's the problem loskie - I'm not being offered a receipt.
"awkward and pompous" has nothing to do with it.
You're not looking for a receipt, not from a garage or anything."awkward and pompous" has nothing to do with it.
You're looking for evidence/proof that you've agreed £350 as full and final settlement. That shouldn't be difficult to get - and if they don't want to do that, then it's full claim or nothing.
To be fair you're probably getting off lightly at £350, and why does it mater to you whether he gets it fixed or lives with it?
My car had a gentle tap in the rear last year but the bumper cover was slightly cracked in two places so it needed a new one. I was quoted almost £650 for it in primer! The guy who hit me contacted his insurer when I told him.
My car had a gentle tap in the rear last year but the bumper cover was slightly cracked in two places so it needed a new one. I was quoted almost £650 for it in primer! The guy who hit me contacted his insurer when I told him.
hyundai_guy said:
That's the problem loskie - I'm not being offered a receipt.
"awkward and pompous" has nothing to do with it.
It does your actions have inconvenienced them (it happens I have been at fault for incidents) now you are just being awkward and adding to their inconvenience! "awkward and pompous" has nothing to do with it.
I scraped another car in a car park, bit of paint transfer, few scuffs. Left a note on the windscreen and got a call a few hours later.
Agreed to settle it privately but asked that the other person send me an email confirming that the money I was transferring them was full and final settlement for them to have their car repaired. They did so and I sent the money, and never heard from them again.
Did they pocket the money and are still driving with a scuffed bumper? Don't know and don't care.
Agreed to settle it privately but asked that the other person send me an email confirming that the money I was transferring them was full and final settlement for them to have their car repaired. They did so and I sent the money, and never heard from them again.
Did they pocket the money and are still driving with a scuffed bumper? Don't know and don't care.
I'm well aware of the inconvenience caused, which is why I'd like to put this right quickly. Thanks for the advice so far everyone.
This isn't about how much I am spending or where it goes, I couldn't care less if the job costs half that amounts and they're pocketing the rest. I just need to cover myself re: proof of payment / settlement. I figured a garage receipt outlining the repair is the most straight forward way of showing this, but I'm easy with whatever works.
I've been asked to bank transfer a third party individual or hand over cash under the counter. Both sound risky and could potentially leave me open to a claim regardless.
We've agreed to £350 via txt message and the garage also confirmed the price as fixed so that's all good - if driver is willing to share their details instead would a bank transfer from me to them be a safe option?
This isn't about how much I am spending or where it goes, I couldn't care less if the job costs half that amounts and they're pocketing the rest. I just need to cover myself re: proof of payment / settlement. I figured a garage receipt outlining the repair is the most straight forward way of showing this, but I'm easy with whatever works.
Sway said:
You're not looking for a receipt, not from a garage or anything.
You're looking for evidence/proof that you've agreed £350 as full and final settlement. That shouldn't be difficult to get - and if they don't want to do that, then it's full claim or nothing.
Yes that's it pretty much...You're looking for evidence/proof that you've agreed £350 as full and final settlement. That shouldn't be difficult to get - and if they don't want to do that, then it's full claim or nothing.
I've been asked to bank transfer a third party individual or hand over cash under the counter. Both sound risky and could potentially leave me open to a claim regardless.
We've agreed to £350 via txt message and the garage also confirmed the price as fixed so that's all good - if driver is willing to share their details instead would a bank transfer from me to them be a safe option?
hyundai_guy said:
Yes that's it pretty much...
I've been asked to bank transfer a third party individual or hand over cash under the counter. Both sound risky and could potentially leave me open to a claim regardless.
We've agreed to £350 via txt message and the garage also confirmed the price as fixed so that's all good - if driver is willing to share their details instead would a bank transfer from me to them be a safe option?
I think as long as you've got a trail, then you should be good. I've been asked to bank transfer a third party individual or hand over cash under the counter. Both sound risky and could potentially leave me open to a claim regardless.
We've agreed to £350 via txt message and the garage also confirmed the price as fixed so that's all good - if driver is willing to share their details instead would a bank transfer from me to them be a safe option?
If that trail shows that they've agreed the sum as full and finalsettlement (and I think that's an important phrase aiui), and they've requested the money be sent to x - then that's you covered.
Get the other party to hand wrote a receipt saying that it's settled for the amount. Tally, if he keeps it or repairs it isn't your concern and you were happy woth the amount so your only concern is making sure that he doesn't claim after paying him
Our post him directly and save the description as something suitable
Our post him directly and save the description as something suitable
Edited by thejaywills on Sunday 8th September 00:15
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