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Original poster

Car Scratches

15 replies

sethanblur · 11/05/2013 11:01

Someone parked their car next to mine and put an approx 2in long scratch on my car (im sure) when flinging his/her car door open.

The person denied it but i could clearly see the paint came off his door onto my car.

I took some pics. Should i contact the insurance company to make a claim against his ins company? Is var reg no suffice?

OP posts:
Sirzy · 11/05/2013 11:02

Your word against his, minimal damage as annoying as it is it is hardly worth the hassle of insurance companies

quoteunquote · 11/05/2013 11:10

T cut

and save yourself a lot of stress.

ComposHat · 11/05/2013 11:13

Was there any damage or traces of your paint on their door?

If so did you take photographs?

In short, yes you can claim and their is a database with details of who is insured by whom.

I had a situation on a carpark where my old car was bashed up good and proper and the offending party just drove off. It was all on CCTV, but even so it took 10 months of too-ing and fro-ing and them not responding to their insurance companies letters, before they paid out. (To be fair their insurer were helpful, mine was less so)

So there's a chance you may get paid out, but if it is a minor scratch and the bodywork isn't dented, then it probably isn't worth that hassle of claim and denial that will probably ensue. Either get a touch up brush from halfords or take it to a bodyshop and they will fix it for a relatively small sum - possibly less than you'd spend on stamps and phone bills with the insurance.

LeaveTheBastid · 11/05/2013 11:16

I wouldn't bother with insurance companies, a whole lot of hassle and stress when it can be sorted cheaply enough. A 2 inch scratch isn't the end of the world.

Really narks me when people claim over daft cosmetic damage like this, and then often are the first to complain about the cost of insurance. Not insinuating you are one of those people though, Op Wink

Insurance is really there for the more serious jobs that affect your car/you, not a wee scratch.

CSIJanner · 11/05/2013 11:17

How new is your car?

Salmotrutta · 11/05/2013 11:25

This sort of carelessness really angers me - but there's not much you can do really!

DH and I both became proud owners of new cars (several months apart) after years of buying secondhand and both of us had dents put in them within the first couple of weeks due to careless parkers.

Yes, I know it's a "first world" problem but it was infuriating, after years of having older cars with various bumps and scratches, to have some eejit come along and do that!

Original poster
sethanblur · 12/05/2013 01:42

Yes, the side panel is a lil dented. The scratch is 2in x 1in, to be premised. Not sure if Tcut will do the wonders and will my car get rusty in future. It is damn obvious that the paint on his door came off too! (What a coincidence!!!!!)

The pecker claim that he drive for living. So what????? Why can't he at least knock on my door to inform me of the incident and I'm sure we can work something out. Not even a 'sorry'.

Mine a Ford Cmax 07. People did not work hard to buy something only for others to jeopardise.

Should i threaten him that I'll make a claim against his ins company? Can somebody give me some advice as it is my first car.

OP posts:
WMittens · 12/05/2013 06:59

T cut won't cut it by the sounds of it, as someone mentioned above, you'll probably need some sort of touch up product. If you run your fingernail over it and can feel the scratch, it's too deep for T cut.

Speak to your insurance company and see if they have any recommendations - they might be able to tell you if they think it will be successful our not given the other driver is saying they didn't do it.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 12/05/2013 07:08

My Dd accidentally did this to another car on Thurs (was blowing a gale and the wind caught the door). The driver was just coming back (turned out to be someone I know) and was very decent about it, there was a small dent and it is a new, expensive car. He is getting it done through the local body shop (quoted £75) which I will pay for, massively cheaper and less hassle than going through insurance.

If it was me I would not bother unless my paint was damaged, as I keep my cars till they are ancient and it won't matter. Someone legt a big paint scuff in my bumper recently and it came away with a damp e-cloth, didn't even need T-cut.

sarahtigh · 12/05/2013 09:14

you do know that most insurance companies look at claims even if you are the innocent party it will not affect no claims bonus outwardly but they do note and register all claims

ComposHat · 12/05/2013 11:07

Halfords for some touch up paint, they will have the exact shade for your car. (Colour name should be in the owners pack)

I'm afraid the odd dint and scratch is an occupational hazard.

wannabedomesticgoddess · 12/05/2013 11:15

Shit happens.

Theselittlelightsofmine · 12/05/2013 11:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

McNewPants2013 · 12/05/2013 11:27

It's only a little scratch.

Original poster
sethanblur · 12/05/2013 21:06

Pure madness!!!! It's the neighbour's car!!!! Will you still class them as your 'neighbour'? How would you categorise them?

Thank you all for your advises and messages though.

OP posts:
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