Moral dilemma over insurance
Discussion
I have an aquintance who I like and who seems quite a decent sort.
Only last week she was saying how much she loved the car and how nothing has ever gone wrong with it and how she worries a small crash would write it off.
She's had it from new and it's now 17 years old so it's probably only worth a few hundred quid.
Ironically my Wife reversed into it this morning and dented it. She's had a quote from a local garage of £500 to repair it.
This would write it off.
My Wife would have put it through the company insurance but this would mean D's car was scrapped.
Should she pay her self (which luckily we can afford but it's a lot of money) or say "tough" and suffer the guilty concience?
Only last week she was saying how much she loved the car and how nothing has ever gone wrong with it and how she worries a small crash would write it off.
She's had it from new and it's now 17 years old so it's probably only worth a few hundred quid.
Ironically my Wife reversed into it this morning and dented it. She's had a quote from a local garage of £500 to repair it.
This would write it off.
My Wife would have put it through the company insurance but this would mean D's car was scrapped.
Should she pay her self (which luckily we can afford but it's a lot of money) or say "tough" and suffer the guilty concience?
Bungleaio said:
Pay the money to get the car repaired. You are likely to need to pay the excess anyway.
£500 - provided they find nothing else wrong - and when you speak to the garage explain it's not an insurance job. is probably what declaring a fault accident to your insurers would cost you over the next few years anyway, even excluding the excess.Remember that has to be declared over all the policies she has cover under ..
S.
elanfan said:
Yeah yeah - reversed into this morning and already got a £500 quote. If this happened show us the ohoto sof the damage to both cars.
I agree that pics would be useful in this instance, though I wonder if suggesting the OP is a liar is the best way to open a discussion on the matter.counterofbeans said:
elanfan said:
Yeah yeah - reversed into this morning and already got a £500 quote. If this happened show us the ohoto sof the damage to both cars.
What a strange postUnlike elanfan, I try and fill it with something worthwhile
Edited by stuartmmcfc on Tuesday 19th September 13:46
I'm pretty sure she'll pay. She's got to many morals to make D loose her car.
Unfortunately it did break the paint, even though it was a very low speed bump on our drive.
I get the impression her garage is quite small, not a main dealer or body shop.
Incidentally, as my Wife drives a company car, putting it through her company insurance wouldn't actually affect her financially realistically, particularly as she's one of the bosses.
My car is motability, so equally that would have no monetary effect either.
Unfortunately it did break the paint, even though it was a very low speed bump on our drive.
I get the impression her garage is quite small, not a main dealer or body shop.
Incidentally, as my Wife drives a company car, putting it through her company insurance wouldn't actually affect her financially realistically, particularly as she's one of the bosses.
My car is motability, so equally that would have no monetary effect either.
Is it a common car, and likely only panel damage? If it has been quoted at £500 I can't imagine it's a little ding but worth a shot.
I reversed into a neighbours old Vectra when I'd not long gotten my licence.
I bought a new bumper for £15 and fitted it myself. Seeing as it was old enough anyway, there wasn't a colour miss-match. I spent more on the bottle of whiskey I bought him as an apology.
FWIW I'd just pay to have it repaired. It'll just sit as a marker against your wife when it comes to insurance.
I reversed into a neighbours old Vectra when I'd not long gotten my licence.
I bought a new bumper for £15 and fitted it myself. Seeing as it was old enough anyway, there wasn't a colour miss-match. I spent more on the bottle of whiskey I bought him as an apology.
FWIW I'd just pay to have it repaired. It'll just sit as a marker against your wife when it comes to insurance.
I'd just pay it. The cost of increased insurance for both your wife and D over the next few years will be many times that for a start, and then it'll be a real headache for D to get a replacement car. That could well end up putting a lot of strain on your relationship with D. On the other hand, if you don't ever want to see them again because D is a PITA type of person, it's the perfect opportunity... 
Still have my doubts about this I'm sorry. It does seem very coincidental that the subject of writing D's car off was only recently discussed and then the very scenario occurs bizarrely caused by OPs wife. Then a quote for repair has been obtained all within a few hours. Photos would prove it and then I'd happily apologise.
As to occupying my time with something useful - how about your wife reports the accident as she should do, her insurer will want to write off the TP car but they cannot make this happen so they'll need to make her a cash offer. Probably won't be a lot but might well be enough to get the repair done at a local repair shop outside insurance and if not your missus could top it up?
As to occupying my time with something useful - how about your wife reports the accident as she should do, her insurer will want to write off the TP car but they cannot make this happen so they'll need to make her a cash offer. Probably won't be a lot but might well be enough to get the repair done at a local repair shop outside insurance and if not your missus could top it up?
ging84 said:
get her to make the claim directly with your insurers, she can refuse to allow them write it off (it's her car and she has no contract with your insurer), insist on a repair contribution instead, and if you feel obligated make up the difference your self.
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