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Original poster

Hit a car, no contact from owner

16 replies

dancingqueen345 · 25/05/2022 05:55

I hit a car in a multi storey car park 10 days ago. The car park is quite narrow and this car was the end one, and I caught it slightly going round the corner. It was completely my fault.

I left a note on the windscreen with my details and I also spoke to the car park office who said it was a residents car and that they tended to leave it there for long periods. They had his number so were going to call and tell him.

I park in this car park most days, so I have been driving past the car regularly (note still attached) but the longer it goes the more anxious I am getting, 1, because I'm worried how much it will cost and 2, because what if it gets hit again and I end up with a bill for additional damage!

It there a statute of limitations on how long I'm liable for?! Should I do more to try and find the owner myself? Just not sure what to do but don't want to always be waiting for a phone call!!

OP posts:
Popskipiekin · 25/05/2022 05:56

Have you taken photos of “your” damage OP? That should prevent you being charged for subsequent damage at least.

daisychain01 · 25/05/2022 05:58

Have you reported the incident to your motor insurance company? If not make that your priority. Give them the full facts, date, time of incident.

Original poster
dancingqueen345 · 25/05/2022 05:58

@Popskipiekin I have but it's a dark car park so they're not brilliant. I should go back and use the flash but I just thought I would look really suspicious 🙈

OP posts:
daisychain01 · 25/05/2022 06:02

daisychain01 · 25/05/2022 05:58

Have you reported the incident to your motor insurance company? If not make that your priority. Give them the full facts, date, time of incident.

Also give your insurance company the registration number of the 3rd party's vehicle. They will be able to find out the vehicle owners details for their records, they won't contact them directly but it's crucial you give your company all facts as you know them. Not doing so will be held against you and you could be declined insurance in the future if you withhold the facts.

Original poster
dancingqueen345 · 25/05/2022 06:03

@daisychain01 no, not reported it. My boyfriend said he thought it was a couple of £100 quids worth of damage and my excess is £500 so was hoping to sort privately

OP posts:
Original poster
dancingqueen345 · 25/05/2022 06:03

@daisychain01 I hadn't thought about any of that! I will contact them today. Thank you

OP posts:
daisychain01 · 25/05/2022 06:11

dancingqueen345 · 25/05/2022 06:03

@daisychain01 no, not reported it. My boyfriend said he thought it was a couple of £100 quids worth of damage and my excess is £500 so was hoping to sort privately

You can elect to pay for the damage yourself - in this case if it's less than your excess of £500 that would be your only option as that's what excess means, it's the policyholder pays the first £500 of any claim, or whatever the excess is.

KangarooKenny · 25/05/2022 06:47

You should let your insurance company know and get good pictures of your damage.
We had people try to scam us and claim for damage done after our bump. Luckily the insurance company got involved and they didn’t get a penny.

Wheelz46 · 25/05/2022 06:48

Maybe the owner of the car is driving illegally, no licence, no insurance or no tax or all 3!

girlmom21 · 25/05/2022 06:53

Jesus OP call your insurance. Tell them you didn't realise you had to report it immediately and you were waiting for contact as you don't have the other parties details.

Bananarama101 · 25/05/2022 07:12

You only pay the excess for damage to your own car. If they claim off your insurance you don't pay any excess regardless of how much.

HSKAT · 25/05/2022 07:15

Deffo tell insurance.
It'll just sit and wait until they make a claim, if they do.

MintyMoocow · 25/05/2022 07:15

My daughter backed into my neighbour’s car. All very sweet and amicable but cost us £1000. I wouldn’t rely on it being fixable under the excess.

Georgeskitchen · 25/05/2022 10:05

Just take the note off and pretend it never happened 😉

daisychain01 · 27/05/2022 15:35

Bananarama101 · 25/05/2022 07:12

You only pay the excess for damage to your own car. If they claim off your insurance you don't pay any excess regardless of how much.

This is very true, @Bananarama101 I wasn't thinking straight when I said the OP would have to pay the first £500.

I guess the sting will happen for the OP at renewal when any NCB is reduced or completely cleared by the claim which will make their new premium significantly more 😔 in that situation it could be worth settling off insurance, but the insurance company should still be informed.

ignore @Georgeskitchen advice to pretend it never happened. Never do that, only low life or idiots pretend damage they caused never happened. Always report incidents to your insurance company otherwise you could find yourself as a bare minimum being declined insurance, which means you could find it difficult to get competitive cover or any cover. Or they could take the matter to court if there is evidence or a witness. All the insurance companies talk to each other and "compare notes".

Teateaandmoretea · 27/05/2022 16:31

Is it an old banger? He might not care if it’s really minor.

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