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AIBU?

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Original poster

Neighbours handbrake failed

135 replies

SkySmiler · 06/04/2025 16:49

So her car rolled into mine and made quite a significant dent, she doesn't want to go through insurance as 'both' our premiums would go up.

So she's proposed arranging fixing and paying for it herself, so we took car to garage with her and they have said to drop it off tomorrow at 9am and it can be collected at 6pm on Tuesday.

It's the school holidays and she expects me to be without a car for 2 days whilst she experiences no inconvenience - apparently her car manufacturer will reimburse her the money she has to spend on getting mine fixed, so no inconvenience for her and she won't be out of pocket either and she can go on about her day(s) with no problems.

OP posts:
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Coffeecakebakes · 12/04/2025 19:33

I was parked in a supermarket car park when my car was hit. My insurers tried to double my premium at renewal. Two years on I am waiting for a court date as the other drivers insurers will not pay out and I am still waiting for my excess to be refunded.

Gcsunnyside23 · 08/04/2025 16:21

Id definitely be going through insurance, you don't really know how much hidden damage there is. Is the mechanic someone she knows? Or is it someone impartial to you both??

faerietales · 08/04/2025 10:17

ConnieHeart · 08/04/2025 09:38

She'd be mad to not want to go through insurance. Our car was hit from behind and it looked like a very small amount of damage but it was actually over £1000

She likely has had previous claims and wants to keep her premiums down.

ConnieHeart · 08/04/2025 09:38

She'd be mad to not want to go through insurance. Our car was hit from behind and it looked like a very small amount of damage but it was actually over £1000

Badanxiety · 08/04/2025 09:28

Get it looked at for a second opinion, my nans neighbor reversed in to my car and cracked my bumper, her husband was a mechanic and offerd to repair which I took him up on and all was great. Until a few months later when I had to replace my radiator as the fan had bent when she hit me and wore a hole through it, to late to do anything about it then

Mere1 · 08/04/2025 09:04

OliphantJones · 06/04/2025 16:52

Do not be browbeaten into not going through insurance. A woman police officer tried this on me once after driving into the back of my car. I insisted on going through insurance. My premium did not go up as it wasn’t my fault.

Happened to me too. Police officer even came to our house, off duty, to check our break lights worked. Don’t be intimidated. I can see harmony with a neighbour is good but you need a car and it’s not your fault.

Valeriekat · 08/04/2025 08:11

Someone went into the back of our newish Lexus and wanted to avoid insurance. I took it to our dealer and it needed new parking sensors which were very expensive so insurance every time. Make sure you keep all communication between you!

Bojoneedstogo · 08/04/2025 00:20

the Hand brake failed on my car and it rolled into someone else’s car. We went through insurance & my insurance is covering both cars. Their premiums won’t go up as it wasn’t their fault.

GiveDogBone · 07/04/2025 21:37

You must inform your insurance company. If you don’t, and they find out, it will in invalidate your insurance. Of course your neighbour can still pay to get it repaired if cheaper, but you must inform them.

Dogsbreath7 · 07/04/2025 21:19

Car hire insurance isn’t automatic especially on the cheaper insurance options

GlassHalfEmpty70 · 07/04/2025 18:06

I was in a similar situation some years ago. Neighbour reversed in to my car and didn't want to go through insurance. Time and time again she promised me the money to get it fixed. Months passed and I never saw a penny. I would insist on going through insurance before it's too late. Plus your premium won't go up as is wasn't your fault 🙃

faerietales · 07/04/2025 07:56

321user123 · 06/04/2025 20:58

How much do you trust this woman?

A friend’s husband had an accident with a delivery driver on a bike/moped.
It was the delivery driver’s fault as they were in a red light and he drove into them.
they agreed not to go via the insurance and then, the driver notified his insurance of the accident.
Friend’s DH got into trouble.

The delivery driver in this case did absolutely the right thing. He didn’t know your friend’s husband from Adam - why would he risk his own insurance policy for a stranger, especially for an at-fault accident that could potentially cost thousands?

The fact that your friend’s husband chose to break the terms of his own insurance is his own issue.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 07/04/2025 07:53

Go through insurance. Your premium won't go up. A rear bed bump can hide a lot of other damage. If costs and time mount up, then how long is your neighbour happy to keep paying?

Zonder · 07/04/2025 07:32

Always go through insurance.

gertrudebiggles · 06/04/2025 23:05

Your insurance will likely go up though. DH got rear ended at a roundabout and insurance went up significantly as it has to be declared (we checked how much it would be without the declaration for comparison sake when renewing and it was £100 less)

mumofoneAlonebutokay · 06/04/2025 21:26

AlanShore · 06/04/2025 20:58

It's you that will have to pay your excess though, her premiums will go up and she'll lose her no claims

This may be incorrect, the op was not at fault. They should claim against the third party's insurance. I've personally not had to pay my excess for accidents which were not my fault.

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With my insurance, I think that's the case, hastings

But hopefully not though for the op, hardly seems fair!

playingfortimeandpeace · 06/04/2025 21:00

northerneast · 06/04/2025 20:06

She doesn’t get to decide this. Insurance all the way.

This

AlanShore · 06/04/2025 20:58

mumofoneAlonebutokay · 06/04/2025 17:03

I got into an accident on Friday acrually, I lost my footing, couldnt brake, and bumped into the car in front at a traffic light

I was so embarrassed and offered to pay out of pocket - then he started saying he thought his sensors would need replacing - bear in mind I was going 10mph if that

So i text him and went through insurance

It's you that will have to pay your excess though, her premiums will go up and she'll lose her no claims

It's best that way, as you can't be without your car x

It's you that will have to pay your excess though, her premiums will go up and she'll lose her no claims

This may be incorrect, the op was not at fault. They should claim against the third party's insurance. I've personally not had to pay my excess for accidents which were not my fault.

321user123 · 06/04/2025 20:58

How much do you trust this woman?

A friend’s husband had an accident with a delivery driver on a bike/moped.
It was the delivery driver’s fault as they were in a red light and he drove into them.
they agreed not to go via the insurance and then, the driver notified his insurance of the accident.
Friend’s DH got into trouble.

321user123 · 06/04/2025 20:53

TheNightingalesStarling · 06/04/2025 16:51

Agree if she also pays for a hire car

This.

SaladSandwichesForTea · 06/04/2025 20:19

faerietales · 06/04/2025 20:04

It's very common for insurance to go up after a non-fault accident. They have to claim their costs back somehow!

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@ShelleyCarpenter When I asked the insurance company they told me its because statistically if you are involved in an accident that isn't your fault, you're more likely to be involved in one that is your fault.

grumpygrape · 06/04/2025 20:12

faerietales · 06/04/2025 17:02

It's not up to her whether you go through insurance or not.

Personally, I would let my insurers handle it. You're supposed to tell them about any accidents anyway, and if they find out further down the line, you could have your policy voided.

This. If your insurance company find out you may become uninsured or worse uninsurable. Check your policy....

northerneast · 06/04/2025 20:06

She doesn’t get to decide this. Insurance all the way.

faerietales · 06/04/2025 20:04

ShelleyCarpenter · 06/04/2025 20:01

How?

Show quote history

It's very common for insurance to go up after a non-fault accident. They have to claim their costs back somehow!

eternalopt · 06/04/2025 20:04

If the manufacturers are picking up the expenses of getting yours fixed, they can pick up hire car costs too

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