To want my car repaired properly?

[ConfusedDotty]

Someone drive into my car in a car park last week. I saw it happen and the other driver drove into my car twice causing damage to the bumper. She admitted it was her fault and we exchanged details.

I took my car into the garage to get a price for repair. I rang and spoke with her husband who told me that price was ridiculous. He wants me to use a local garage and not go through the insurance.

My car has only ever been serviced and looked after through the main dealer as I do trust them and have bought cars there for the last few years.

This man thinks I am being unreasonable for not wanting to use 'his man' at some local garage.

What do you think?

Ooh...see I disagree. I think £405 does sound quite expensive for that.

I have sympathy because I would also be annoyed if you wanted to go to a dealer. I know it would cost more than someone else for a similar job.

But, he can get his car fixed wherever he likes - and he has the responsibility to do it where you like. Tough tits, he shouldn't drive into you... Twice!!

Main dealer will be more costly of course, their labour rate is probably £100 odd an hour, independent £50. But it's your choice not his!!! Since he's taking the arse attitude I'd let insurance deal with it. Given the courtesy car etc your claim will be nearer £600-£800 I'd imagine.

Personally I trust my independent bodyshop and mechanic more than any main dealer mechanic or bodyshop (in fact they do work for the main dealers when they can't fix it!!!!).
But they are MY choice of garage and you should use the one you trust

Claim on your insurance - it should go down as a 'no-fault' claim and shouldn't affect your NCD.
Don't communicate with this man again - or if you do, only to say 'this matter is now in the hands of my insurers. Please contact them in future'.

Absolutely DO go through the insurance and avoid any further contact. Any kind of harassment, call Police.

I work I'm car insurance claims and would def recommend going through HIS insurance if you know who they are. If you go through yours they're likely to pass you to a credit hire company and the whole claim will cost a fortune.

The other driver has no say whatsoever in how you proceed, and I think you're quote was very reasonable for damage to a new car at a main dealer.

• apologies, lots of autocorrect & grammar mistakes in there

Update. He has just rang me to apologise and said he understands that I am entitled to get my car fixed at a garage of my choice.

He is coming to my house with all his insurance details.

Thanks.

Result!

why is he coming to your house? Why can't he give the details over the phone and save the journey?

Excellent news OP

it can be sensible not to go with insurance if both cars are a bit marked by wear and tear anyway as insurers can sometimes declare a perfectly decent car to be a "write off" if repair by main dealer using all-new and match-sprayed parts would be £800 but the car would only fetch £795 if sold to a second hand car dealer.

With your car being only 6 months old, getting it main-dealer repaired and back to near-perfect condition is the only sensible option.

I'd still consider going through insurance, even if he agrees to pay privately as there could be other damage and end up costing more than the initial quote. Is that your current plan?

Please let us know he didn't come over there and strongarm you into agreeing to his dodgy plans, OP.

No. I came, he lives in the same village, apologised and gave me all his insurance details.

It's all sorted with my insurance company now.

Thanks for updating, so often OPs leave us hanging in mid-air! Hope you get a nice shiny car with no nasty bills very soon