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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU To have expected this stranger to have acted differently and WWYD?

87 replies

Birthhippy9 · 12/04/2012 21:14

Myself husband, toddler and baby were sitting in the car park of a big shop this afternoon with engine off discussing where to drive next when "Thud" a car who was aiming to park in the space to my right went into the back of us bumping our car forward, a few scratches and two gouges to the right side of the bumper under the lights some of his paint on there and he has similar to his left side of his front bumper. I was a bit shaken as I had the children with me and the bump really took me by surprise.
He drove through and I could see he was thinking about driving away then stopped and got out.
I said "could I get your phone number?" and went to see what the damage was, it was quite a shunt so I was surprised at how little was resulting.
His response was to swear at me and say "Your car's not worth f*ing anything anyway" (My car is only worth £2-3k) and I respond "I've not had this before what do we do? Do we need to call insurance companies?" He swore a bit more and said "You shouldn't get me to pay my excess for something you could use a but of T-cut on" I asked what that was and he told me I could get it from Halfords for a couple of pound. He gave me his name and mobile number after my husband got out of the car.
FWIW I spent an hour in Halfords and they said I'd need to spend £36 on materials for the scratches which would take the best part of a day to sort but I'd need to get the gouges done by a body work person and they thought it would cost £200 from a garage if I dealt with the scratches separately. I texted that to him and received no reply. Are my premiums going to go up do you think as I'd have to answer "yes" to "have you been in any accidents in the last 5 years" question?

AIBU to have expected him to act differently and WWYD in this situation?

OP posts:
SuePurblyBusinesslike · 12/04/2012 21:17

Eh? Did he not give you the 'couple of pound' even? Did you not get his licence plate?

tamitots · 12/04/2012 21:17

Did you take his reg number? I so I would send him another text asking for his insurance details and if he does not reply report to the police.

You ANBU he hit you, he should pay for it. You will prob find he doesn't have insurance and thats why he was so funny with you.

Kayano · 12/04/2012 21:17

I would have damn well went through the insurance for the sole purpose of getting the bastard to pay his excess and would have given wynne solicitors a call first so any costs were
Covered by him.

The second he had the cheek
To swear and get irate when he is the arsehole who can't fucking park a
Car

I'm outraged
On your behalf! Angry

Icelollycraving · 12/04/2012 21:19

I don't drive so probably won't give accurate advice on what is right legally. I will tell you what I would do though,that is to inform insurance company as his no is probably false,I assume you took reg no. His aggressive behaviour would mean I would definately chase for payment.
Hope you are all ok.

RedBlanket · 12/04/2012 21:20

Cheeky sod! His insurance should cover the cost, don't even think about doing it yourself. If you're fully comp just tell your insurance company and they will deal with it.
You will have to declare it when you come to reinsure but as it's not your fault it won't affect your premiums.

sparkles281 · 12/04/2012 21:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

oldmum42 · 12/04/2012 21:22

Tell me you took his car reg number?

catsareevil · 12/04/2012 21:24

If you cant remember his reg number the car park may have cctv.

AGreenie · 12/04/2012 21:25

Did you take photos? I have a scratched bumper and have had people accuse me of bumping them

Cabrinha · 12/04/2012 21:25

Please tell me you got his licence number?
If not, I fear that could be a false name and number. Call the non emergency police number for advice - at least tell them what you remember of the car - make, model, colour - partial plate number?

For future reference you MUST give your name and insurance company details in a knock. You don't have to contact police if no injuries - but you should call them if the other party won't give them. And ALWAYS take the reg and car details.

AGreenie · 12/04/2012 21:25

Damn phone!
People have accused me of bumping them

mosschops30 · 12/04/2012 21:25

'as its not your fault it wont affect your premiums'

This is true as long as he accepts fault, which by the sound of it he wouldnt. I would ring him and tell him you want him to pay for the damage or you want his insurance details if he doesnt want to pay. If he doesnt give them tell him you are reporting to the police.
Did you get the reg no?
What did your dh say/do?

VivaLeBeaver · 12/04/2012 21:27

Sadly by his attitude I expect he will deny it and unless you have independent witnesses you will struggle. I'm currently fighting with someone who caused serious damage to my car and didn't stop. Someone got their number plate but they're denying it was them. Police aren't very intested and it's not on CCTV.

fluffypillow · 12/04/2012 21:29

My face is Shock.............what a dickhead.

He all but blamed you for himself having hit your parked car Confused

You say you were in a carpark of a big shop? My advice would be to get on the phone to them, and ask if they have CCTV footage of the accident. You might even be able to get his number plate this way.

Then report the idiot to the police. You shouldn't have to pay a penny.

Chilenachica · 12/04/2012 21:30

It's not just about the paint, has he damaged your car? It's quite possible, and even if he hasn't the accident was his fault and therefore he is responsibe for making good any damage. He may not be able to afford to, but that's not your fault.

AGreenie · 12/04/2012 21:32

Argh!
But I had evidence of my scratches being there before, and I was left a note in tesco car park saying I damaged their car but insurance company said photos are good to take as evidence at the time.... Hope it gets resolved for you, don't know why people think its not a problem if they damage a car that's older than the current reg!

Original poster
Birthhippy9 · 12/04/2012 21:40

I got the car reg. It was enough for my husband to step out of the car and say "Play fair, your car hit ours" for the guy to back down with the intimidation routine and give name and phone number. I ought to call the shop in the morning and ask them to keep footage for police purposes just in case?

Please tell me if I report this it won't cause me to loose money in future car insurance price...I managed to get it to a decent price and things are tight :(

OP posts:
MadamFolly · 12/04/2012 21:44

What a twat

CovMum · 12/04/2012 21:45

Your premiums will go up unfortunately. I have just had this someone hit my car. They accepted full responsibility. My renewal quote went up by £100 when I told my insurer as I am a bigger risk. It is so unfair as it is the other driver's fault.

Heyyyho · 12/04/2012 21:47

What a disgusting pig!

Original poster
Birthhippy9 · 12/04/2012 21:51

If my insurance will go up should I just try to fill it myself (badly no doubt) and not pursue it?

OP posts:
Original poster
Birthhippy9 · 12/04/2012 21:53

Viva and AGreenie nasty that these things can happen :(

OP posts:
heyannie · 12/04/2012 21:53

Don't worry too much about the premium going up. My car was hit while parked outside my house (I was at work ten miles away), I was not at fault at all. When my renewal premium came through six weeks later, it was much higher (same as CovMum), I called up to ask why and they said because I am more at risk. But I shopped around and got a better deal (I think with the same parent company, go figure), and played around with declaring/not declaring and it made no difference. So, insurance companies make up their own rules it seems. He sounds like a goon, I would pursue it further.

NoMoreWasabi · 12/04/2012 21:53

Even if you don't go through the insurance you will still have to declare at renewal.

Angiefernackerpan · 12/04/2012 21:53

A friend of mine was hit by another driver, who then got really aggressive with her. She drove away and tried to forget about it as the car only had minor damage to the wing mirror, but a week later the police turned up and cautioned her for failing to report an accident.

Apparently the other driver reported the incident in an attempt to cover his own arse. She was devastated, as she'd never even thought of reporting it.