Advice needed. Someone dented by DSs car. Think it's a police officer.

[Advicepleaseeeee]

I saw the incident. Son's car was parked outside on the road. Bloke reversed into it. He was writing a note so I took photos of him from my bedroom window. I opened the window. He apologised and said it was just a small dent. He came to the door with the note. And left. The note has his mobile and first name. My son messaged him and said he gets a quote. Chap said ok.The photo I took has the reg number and him and his passenger. My son had a quote for the damage (2 panels need fixing). He messaged the quote to the chap yesterday with a photo of the damage. No response yet. How long do we leave it before taking things further?

The thing is this chap is almost definitely a police officer. Our road is used as parking by police who work at the police HQ at the end of the road. He had the big black boots and black trousers and so did the person with him (a woman). His car was parked down the road for the rest of the day.

Should we contact insurers or wait??

Contact your insurance... do not accept that this person will pay for the repairs and avoid going through insurance... this is standard advice, regardless of who the other party is.

Yes, it will have implications to him on a professional level, but that is not your problem.

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-insurance/if-youre-in-an-accident#:~:text=If%20you%20have%20an%20accident,the%20vehicle%20registration%20number

Just hand it over to insurers. If he's police he'll be with police mutual. I love them as an insurance company. So straightforward.

Well we sent the quote to him yesterday midday. I'll give him until this evening to respond. I guess?

Just message him and say you plan on passing it over to your insurers alongside the ring doorbell footage. See if that garners a reply.

If your DS intimated that he would be happy to proceed without involving insurance, I would give him until tonight to respond. I would then let him know that you are now reporting it to your insurance company, and do so.
You are under no obligation to settle without insurance companies being involved even if you said you were happy with that. Legally you should tell the insurance company but I can understand why in some instances it seems easier not to.

If the other chap goes through insurance will this affect my son's renewal cost even though he wasn't even in the car!

Put it in the hands of insurance, today. Insurance will question why he didn't report ASAP

Its a non-fault accident so no it shouldn't affect your son's insurance.
The man has had 24hrs to respond.

You are meant to report everything to your insurance.

I am sadly somewhat impressed that he left a note, that is certainly not a given these days.

He's a copper and had another one with him.

He's just responded. He's checking with his insurance how much this will affect him if he claims through them. Will give him until later today.

The reality is a lot of people settle without doing so.

At least hes responded that would mean I'd wait until the end of the day.
But you should still tell your insurance, insurance companies talk to each other.

Yes I have reported the incident to Direct Line for information. Will keep an eye on his renewal cost😯

If your son has no fault it shouldn't affect his no claims or his premium. I suggest paying a bit extra for protected no claims on his next renewal (if he's eligible) really worth the extra. You are meant to report all accidents and it seems this was a bit more than a bump if two panels need repairing.

It really was just a bump with a towing ball that just happened to hit where two panels join. Unfortunate.

Your DS will pay more on his premiums, it happened to me when my car was in a car park minding its own business parked legally and someone bashed in to it.

the guy is probably on shift and his phone is in his locker so he wont see your message yet.

the minute you tell the insurer anything your premium goes up as youre a higher risk now. even if you domt claim. bloody joke.

But did you have the identity of the other person? His insurance isn’t being used so shouldn’t go up. The other persons insurance will pay.

Yes but the other person has accepted liability and will probably go through his insurance.