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AIBU?

To be annoyed at having to pay for this car to be re-sprayed?

231 replies

emmabrown123 · 18/03/2018 16:39

Before I start I'll just say - I know I have to pay for this!! I'm just wondering where I stand about knowing whether I'm being a bit diddled or not!!

My 3 year old son was riding his bike along the pavement and as he came round the corner there was a car (brand new Audi) parked taking up the majority of the pavement. His Dad was behind him and shouted at him to stop, he didn't and subsequently scratched the car, over 2 panels.

We wrote a note explaining the damage, took some pictures and left it at that. The scratch was long but didn't look too deep.

That was about 10 days ago, today we've had a message from the owner saying it's going to a garage tomorrow and may need a full respray of both panels.

My husband thinks that's rubbish and that it could be sorted without respraying, I have no knowledge on the subject.

We will obviously cover the cost, although it bloody irks me because the car was (and always is) parked ridiculously and blocking the pavement for anyone pushing a buggy / in a wheelchair. My question is - is there anything I can do to check that they're not having a respray when they don't need one?! And is there anyway I can lower the cost (prices ranging from a couple of hundred to over a grand have been bandied about) as I'm not sure where we're going to find the money as yet!!!

Or do I just suck it up and find some way to pay it?!!

OP posts:

Report

Whisky2014 · 18/03/2018 16:41

Mmm I have scratched my own car panel before and wasn't deep but needed a respray. Think you need to suck it up unfortunately

Nicknacky · 18/03/2018 16:42

Suck it up. If it was my car I would be getting it fixed properly and if that was a respray then that’s what I would get.

I would be more annoyed at my husband for letting him get so far ahead he couldn’t stop him if need be.

Does your house insurance cover it?

43percentburnt · 18/03/2018 16:42

Do you have public liability insurance on your home insurance?

ILoveMyMonkey · 18/03/2018 16:43

Hell no, I wouldn't be paying for that. If you park illegally on the pavement then any accidental damage to your car is tough shit and maybe he'll learn to park more responsibly next time!

If you're certain you want to pay then could you go through your car insurance? I wouldn't take the owners word for it.

follybodger · 18/03/2018 16:44

You cannot do a smart repair on metal panels only plastic bumpers so you will need to spray both panels plus blend on both sides.

Having said that I wouldn't be paying full cost for damage caused by parking on the pavement tbh

emmabrown123 · 18/03/2018 16:44

Ooh I don't know about the house insurance but I'll look into it now. Thank you!!

Are we talking hundreds or thousands for a respray.

And yes - I was annoyed at DH!!!

OP posts:

Lovestonap · 18/03/2018 16:44

I'll be honest, if it was parked on the pavement (ie illegally) I wouldn't cover the cost. The pavement is for your infant to be safe on. I'd let him take me to court.

Nocabbageinmyeye · 18/03/2018 16:44

I wouldn't be paying for it either, no way, you park on the path you risk these things happening and that's why you pay insurance

emmabrown123 · 18/03/2018 16:45

Is it actually illegal to be parked on a pavement though? I tried googling it but couldn't find much info!

OP posts:

CouldYouBeMorePacific · 18/03/2018 16:46

I wouldn't pay either. He shouldn't have been on the footpath.

Smoothyloopy · 18/03/2018 16:47

Parked on the pavement the owner is the one who should suck it up!

NinjagoNinja · 18/03/2018 16:47

Where are you? In London it's illegal to park on the pavement. Maybe not everywhere.

I would refuse to pay. It may not be illegal to park on the pavement, but it is stupid and inconsiderate. Your didn't damage the car on purpose. I would ignore.

florandfauna · 18/03/2018 16:48

Did you photos show the car was parked on the pavement?
Maybe you could come to some sort of joint arrangement.

hibbledibble · 18/03/2018 16:49

If he was parked on the footpath I would be questioning whether you need to pay at all. Perhaps get some legal advice on this. Your home insurance may provide access to legal advice.

GreenVoyage · 18/03/2018 16:49

Fuck that. He was parked illegally on the pavement. Tough shit IMO. You shouldn't have left a note! Don't pay.

EllieMe · 18/03/2018 16:49

I wouldn't have left a note. Shouldn't have parked there.

TittyGolightly · 18/03/2018 16:49

I wouldn't be paying for that. If you park illegally on the pavement

It’s not illegal to park on the pavement in 95% of the UK.

emmabrown123 · 18/03/2018 16:49

No, not in London. It seems like everywhere else it's just 'advised' that you don't block the pavement!!

The other thing to consider is these people are my neighbours - I don't want them to hate me!

OP posts:

IceBearRocks · 18/03/2018 16:49

He shouldn't be parked on the pavement... It wouldn't have happened if he was on the road !!!

emmabrown123 · 18/03/2018 16:50

Yes - the pictures show where the car was parked. I'm actually dealing with the dad of the person who's car it is so I'm not sure he knows how and where the car was parked when it happened!

OP posts:

Ididnothearthat · 18/03/2018 16:51

In london borough its illegal but outside highway code states should not due to obstructions for pedestrians. I would not pay and let them try enforce it.

JacquesHammer · 18/03/2018 16:51

Ignore the bad advice - it isn't illegal to park on the pavement in the majority of places in the UK.

I regularly park on what people think is a pavement - it isn't, it is a privately owned space outside my house.

As your child has damaged the vehicle then you absolutely should cover the cost, however I think it is reasonable to say to them that you would appreciate being able to get your own quote

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Lovesagin · 18/03/2018 16:52

I wouldn't pay. Id have just forgotten about it tbh.

polarpercy · 18/03/2018 16:53

But rule 145 of the highway code says: You MUST NOT drive on or over a pavement, footpath or bridleway except to gain lawful access to property, or in the case of an emergency.

So unless you levitate the car onto the pavement to park it then surely you have driven along the pavement to park there and thus the above applies?!

ILoveMyMonkey · 18/03/2018 16:54

www.pedestriansafety.org.uk/highway_code_pavement_parking.html

The most recent revision of the highway code states that
: Revised 2007 Edition [Latest version]

244. You MUST NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London, and should not do so elsewhere unless signs permit it. Parking on the pavement can obstruct and seriously inconvenience pedestrians, people in wheelchairs or with visual impairments and people with prams or pushchairs.
Law GL(GP)A sect 15

I think you'd have a strong case not to pay.

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