Scratched car

[CrispsandCheeseSandwich]

These may be stupid questions!

The back of my car got scratched a bit today. I don't think it's major, but some definite long scratches and it's a bit scuffed. Does this need fixing - as in, does it cause issues if not done?

The car is a few years old, I own it outright (so don't need to give it back to anyone), and I don't really care about cars so plan on keeping it as long as it lasts really so not worried about selling it.

It got scratched by someone who hit my car and didn't stop. I was driving along a residential road with cars parked along one side and he came round the corner at a ridiculous speed. Just managed to swerve to avoid each other but he scuffed the back of my car. Then three police cars with sirens on came past after him so he was obviously being chased.
Does it make any difference to insurance that I obviously don't have his details? Would I even go through insurance for some scratches? I've never claimed on my car insurance before.

How old is and what’s its value? Ate you planning on trading it in and if so, whenish?

As you don't intend getting rid of the car, then it depends if the scratches are on a metal part of the car or the plastic bumper/surrounds.
If its on a metal part and the scratch has gone through to bare metal, then worth painting over with some touch up paint, to prevent corrosion.

If its on plastic, then its there is zero need to get it repaired.

2018 registration, no plans to buy anything else until I have to because this one has given up.

No idea on the value, it's an Aygo.

I guess a much shorter version of my question is, are scratches purely aesthetic, or is there some risk to the body of the car if left? Which sounds silly now I've put it like that, but I'd rather check!

It's on the metal part. Black car, and I can see white/grey through the scratches.

Get in touch with the Police and tell them when and where it happened. They may have useful footage and there's a chance he's insured. If not, you can apply to the Motor Insurers Bureau for the cost of repairs.

Hard to know without seeing the scratches, if they're purely aesthetic or could cause a long-term issue with rust etc.

You can always take it to a body shop, or chips away and get a quote for repair. Decide from there if you want to just fork out to avoid the inconvenience of insurance, or if you want to make a claim.

If you make a claim, you could contact the police and see if they have any details or, simply call your insurer and say you want to make a claim.

They'll ask lots of questions about the incident, and you answer the best you can. Of course they'll ask about the other party, but saying they drove off should suffice, and the insurer may well recommend/tell you to call the police or ask for an incident number.

Bear in mind, the insurance will want it reported ASAP, what they can do I don't know, but they may not be happy if you leave it 3/4 weeks to get a quote then decide you'd like to claim after all