Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 ··· 5 6 7 8 9 10

Original poster

To be annoyed at having to pay for this car to be re-sprayed?

231 replies

emmabrown123 · 18/03/2018 16:39

Before I start I'll just say - I know I have to pay for this!! I'm just wondering where I stand about knowing whether I'm being a bit diddled or not!!

My 3 year old son was riding his bike along the pavement and as he came round the corner there was a car (brand new Audi) parked taking up the majority of the pavement. His Dad was behind him and shouted at him to stop, he didn't and subsequently scratched the car, over 2 panels.

We wrote a note explaining the damage, took some pictures and left it at that. The scratch was long but didn't look too deep.

That was about 10 days ago, today we've had a message from the owner saying it's going to a garage tomorrow and may need a full respray of both panels.

My husband thinks that's rubbish and that it could be sorted without respraying, I have no knowledge on the subject.

We will obviously cover the cost, although it bloody irks me because the car was (and always is) parked ridiculously and blocking the pavement for anyone pushing a buggy / in a wheelchair. My question is - is there anything I can do to check that they're not having a respray when they don't need one?! And is there anyway I can lower the cost (prices ranging from a couple of hundred to over a grand have been bandied about) as I'm not sure where we're going to find the money as yet!!!

Or do I just suck it up and find some way to pay it?!!

OP posts:

soontobeanana · 18/03/2018 19:22

I wouldn't pay. I am hard of hearing. When I walk with a pushchair I do not walk in the road if a car is parked on the pavement. I squeeze past and if I scrape the car so be it. I am not putting myself and child in danger for the sake of a car.

TheOnlyLivingMumInNewCross · 18/03/2018 19:23

We had someone scratch a metal panel on our Mini a few years back- they did several cars.
We contacted Mini who told us to find the colour code (think it was on a sticker or something under the bonnet) and they sent us a scratch repair kit for under £25.
My DH is useless but managed to cover it himself with a small art brush. You couldn't tell it was there once it was t-cut over.
I would suggest they do the same? And also I think I may be inclined to mention that they are also partly responsible for any damage due to parking illegally and that if they wish to argue, you may have to speak to the local community support officer to see who they think is liable.....

LakieLady · 18/03/2018 19:34

It seems my house insurance might cover it. I have public liability insurance with it (is that what I need?!)

Oooh, I hope it does! He'll have a lot more trouble getting money off the insurance company than off you, OP. I predict months of wrangling about contributory negligence.

You were supervising you DS properly while he was on his bike, weren't you?

TittyGolightly · 18/03/2018 19:35

Oooh, I hope it does! He'll have a lot more trouble getting money off the insurance company than off you, OP. grin I predict months of wrangling about contributory negligence.

You’re wrong.

You were supervising you DS properly while he was on his bike, weren't you? wink

They clearly weren’t.

strawberrypenguin · 18/03/2018 19:36

If the car was parked over they pavement obstructing it I wouldn't pay them anything.

TheBrilliantMistake · 18/03/2018 19:39

A proper paint repair will need a respray of all affected panels.
However, he should NOT have been parked on the pavement and that should diminish his claim significantly. It could even make his claim void.
Contact a solicitor if you can afford it, or at least write to his insurance company and explain that he was parked on the pavement.

Which side of the car was damaged - the pavement side, or the road side?

TittyGolightly · 18/03/2018 19:40

However, he should NOT have been parked on the pavement and that should diminish his claim significantly. It could even make his claim void.

For the hundredth —fucking— time IT WON’T.

araiwa · 18/03/2018 19:43

Based on the advice on this thread, im going out tonight to damage any vehicle parked on a pavement, driving over the speed limit or with too dark tints. Not my responsibility apparently

Sweetpotatoaddict · 18/03/2018 19:44

Where do I obtain insurance to cover my children when they have a wobble and fall off their bike and cause damage to a fence or car?
Interesting how we as a society value the motor vehicle rather than the development of a child.
Was your child injured colliding with the car blocking the pavement op?

JacquesHammer · 18/03/2018 19:48

Interesting how we as a society value the motor vehicle rather than the development of a child

Seriously??

So anyone’s property can be damaged for the sake of “child development”.

Bwahahahaha

Sweetpotatoaddict · 18/03/2018 19:49

Is that what I said?

Thebluedog · 18/03/2018 19:49

Shit happens I’m afraid, he shouldn’t have been parked in the pavement and your dc should have been more careful. He can’t actually force you to pay unless he takes you to the small claims court. That said it might be a case of being able to sleep at night, so you may want to offer him a few quid towards the cost of repairs. When I worked in the motor trade it was approx £90 per panel for a repair. Ask him for an estimate and take it from there.

JacquesHammer · 18/03/2018 19:51

Is that what I said?

Heavily implied surely?

I have a fence, if your child is “developing” and knocks it over, surely that is YOUR responsibility. Of course I value my property over your kid’s bike riding. Who wouldn’t?!

Sweetpotatoaddict · 18/03/2018 19:51

We do though, no payout if a child dies. There’s one of your car is written off.

LakieLady · 18/03/2018 19:52

Illegally parked or not, your child damaged his property - and should’ve been on a cycle path if riding a bike, or on foot as a pedestrian if on the pavement

He's 3, ffs!

CouldYouBeMorePacific · 18/03/2018 19:54

Of course it's your responsibility araiwa, who said the person who did the damage isn't responsible?

The child is responsible, the parents are not liable. The car owner can pursue the child for the money if he wishes. The car owner is lucky as op has insurance which will probably cover the claim for them as the child is a member of the insured household. Problem solved.

Sweetpotatoaddict · 18/03/2018 19:54

Nope but you don’t expect to be hit with an unaffordable bill because someone is parked on the pavement, and you can’t get insurance that covers this happening.
I supervise as carefully as I can but this thread has made me more fearful of letting my child cycle and therefore develop. I’ll just need to pop his bike on the roof of the car and drive him to the nearest cycle path, quite ironic if you think about it!
Surely being hit by a child on a pavement is the same as being hit by an uninsured driver?

LakieLady · 18/03/2018 19:56

They clearly weren’t.

Sorry, Titty, didn't realise you witnessed the event.

I got the impression that the car was parked very close to a corner and that the child's father called to the child to stop as soon as he saw the car, but the child couldn't stop in time.

tenbob · 18/03/2018 19:57

It clearly isn't illegal to park on pavements in all of London, because on most of the streets around me, the parking bays are painted to indicate you need to straddle the pavement and there are signs on lamp posts to also tell people to park on the pavement

TittyGolightly · 18/03/2018 19:59

Surely being hit by a child on a pavement is the same as being hit by an uninsured driver?

It’s not. Legally the parents are responsible. House insurance legal cover usually covers things like this.

Justdontknow4321 · 18/03/2018 20:00

My partner paints/sprays cars for a living.

He said price would depend on what panels were scratched, front and door or both doors etc, color Of the car etc but that they would defiantly need to be sprayed.

Without looking at pictures he would would say approx £500 and the fact it’s a brand new Audi means he will probably want a good job so he doubts he will go to a back street garage for a price.

If your not happy with his price though ask him to provide more then 1 quote from different garages and ask for them in writing from each garage or at least a direct call with the actual garage

TheBrilliantMistake · 18/03/2018 20:00

If that was the case here, then yes, it's a different matter.
In most cases you can't park on the pavement as you're potentially blocking pedestrian access / parents with prams / wheelchairs etc.

Lobsterface · 18/03/2018 20:05

They’ve started towing cars parked in pavements up here recently

Original poster

emmabrown123 · 18/03/2018 20:16

@TittyGolightly clearly you're very angry about this thread and that's fair enough. But there is no need to comment on how myself or my husband were supervising my child. He was NOT out of control, he was a couple of feet ahead (which I think is fine, he's safe on his bike and has stabilisers), he was caught out by a car parked on a corner which he didn't see till it was too late - and my husband clearly didn't shout out early enough (which I admit was his fault but we're talking seconds and unfortunately he didn't react quick enough).

He was supervised, he wasn't in any danger, it was an unfortunate incident.

I'm going to pay for it.

Wind your neck in

OP posts:

healthyheart · 18/03/2018 20:18

I’d love to know Judge Rinder’s take on this!

Flip

1 2 ··· 5 6 7 8 9 10

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.

Swipe left for the next trending thread