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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Scraped by car in car park, go through insurance or not bother?

49 replies

User0610134049 · 22/02/2022 10:53

Car backed out of a space into me in a car park today.
Looks like a surface scrape, down to white colour but can’t feel dent.
For some inexplicable reason I did not take the guy’s number only his registration.
I mumbled something about it ‘probably being fine’ but would take his registration just in case. He didn’t offer me his number, I thought then that I should get it and went after him and waved but he didn’t see me or didn’t want to see me.

I’ve ordered some T cut but all the reviews say it only works on very surface scrape.

Should I call my insurance?
Can they trace him using just registration?
Won’t he just deny it then it could be down as my fault and I lose big no claims bonus?

Kicking myself for not getting his number so I could give him the option of just paying me directly. I don’t think it will be big job to repair but I know insurance companies tend to make a meal out of things.

Wwyd?

I’ve asked chips away for a quote and am wondering if I just suck it up myself if it’s not much. There’s another chip on there my daughter did that I’d get done at the same time

OP posts:
Original poster
User0610134049 · 22/02/2022 10:57

Just to say… there were witnesses but I didn’t get their details (what was I thinking?) but he wouldn’t know that iyswim.

OP posts:
LondonQueen · 22/02/2022 11:00

If it's only small damage I would just fix it myself than bother going through the insurance. However he has technically committed a crime as he has left the scene of an accident without providing you his details. Perhaps call 101 to report it.

pumpkinpie01 · 22/02/2022 11:02

The police will not be interested . Your insurers can track his insurers through the registration number . I would get a quote first then decide what to do , but if he completely denies being there you could be a bit stuck.

Original poster
User0610134049 · 22/02/2022 11:08

If I get a quote, and it’s more than I thought, so I decide I would like to go through insurance… won’t I get in trouble for not reporting straight away?

And if he denies it, would my excess come into play? It’s big and almost certainly more than cost of repair

OP posts:
FizzyTango · 22/02/2022 11:09

@LondonQueen
I always see people say this, but the police don't care.
Someone maliciously rammed my car and drove off and the police did not give a shit. I think because no-one was hurt and there were no witnesses.
His insurance company didn't give a shit either - his car was really damaged too! I managed to get his reg so my insurance were able to contact his. It took them over a month for his own insurance to make contact with him, and he straight up denied it and said I did it!
I queried with both insurers if him not stopping/not exchanging details was an issue and they actually didn't care either. It got settled 50:50 as I literally had no choice.
It boils my piss, I can't even believe this kind of thing is allowed to happen.

Original poster
User0610134049 · 22/02/2022 11:09

I’m such an idiot for not asking for his details and speaking to the couple who saw it 🤦‍♀️
It was just a busy car park and my car was in the way of people.
Still, a learning experience 🙄

OP posts:
Original poster
User0610134049 · 22/02/2022 11:10

@FizzyTango when it was settled 50:50 did your excess come into play? And did you lose no claims bonus?

OP posts:
Original poster
User0610134049 · 22/02/2022 11:11

My photo of back of his car doesn’t show any of my red paint on it annoyingly.

OP posts:
BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 22/02/2022 11:12

Our of curiosity I'd plug the reg number into am MOT/Tax website to check - if either are outstanding I'd think there's a good reason he didn't offer his number.

But for a scratch I'd just leave it but my car is old and worn and what's an extra scratch?

LondonQueen · 22/02/2022 11:12

@FizzyTango
You're right they're not bothered, but I'd rather protect myself as there is nothing to stop him phoning the police and saying the OP drove off.

Violetmo0n · 22/02/2022 11:13

They can get his details from his reg.

Technically You need to report though, so if you get a quote and you want to pay yourself just them it's notification only.
If you want to go through insurance, you pay the excess or it will be deducted from settlement amount.

If you do go through insurance I would try and get hold of CCTV.

Violetmo0n · 22/02/2022 11:14

You can also do a MID check yourself and see if he's insured

Original poster
User0610134049 · 22/02/2022 11:14

More of a scrape than a scratch I’d say. Only had the car 6 months 😢 but it’s 2018

Scraped by car in car park, go through insurance or not bother?
OP posts:
Original poster
User0610134049 · 22/02/2022 11:16

@Violetmo0n

They can get his details from his reg.

Technically You need to report though, so if you get a quote and you want to pay yourself just them it's notification only.
If you want to go through insurance, you pay the excess or it will be deducted from settlement amount.

If you do go through insurance I would try and get hold of CCTV.

But my excess won’t come into it if his insurance pays surely? Only if he denies it?

I’m not sure I can face the hassle.

He didn’t get my reg and there was no visible damage to his car (much bigger than mine)

OP posts:
PearPickingPorky · 22/02/2022 11:17

@User0610134049

If I get a quote, and it’s more than I thought, so I decide I would like to go through insurance… won’t I get in trouble for not reporting straight away?

And if he denies it, would my excess come into play? It’s big and almost certainly more than cost of repair

No, you won't get in trouble.

Get a quote and see how much it is. If it's £100 then just pay yourself. If it's more than your excess then report it to your insurer and then give them the man's registration number - yes, they can trace him by the number plate via his insurer.

Do you have legal expenses cover on your insurance policy?

thecatneuterer · 22/02/2022 11:18

I absolutely wouldn't bother as I don't really care about scratches. Also when you take into account the excess, the hassle and the great likelihood that it will affect future premiums even if you have a protected no claims, then it really wouldn't seem worthwhile to pursue it.

Violetmo0n · 22/02/2022 11:18

@User0610134049

More of a scrape than a scratch I’d say. Only had the car 6 months 😢 but it’s 2018
I personally wouldn't bother for this.
Original poster
User0610134049 · 22/02/2022 11:21

Ooh his car is untaxed, but only by about 10 days. And last log book issued end of Jan 22,

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Original poster
User0610134049 · 22/02/2022 11:22

Ok will try the T cut and get the chips away quote.

Thanks all

OP posts:
Chely · 22/02/2022 11:23

If you contact the police non emergency number they can obtain the other drivers details from the reg number. May be costly to both insurance wise (excess and premium hikes) and it is a fair bit of hassle, up to you if you want to go through claims.

If you have no claims protection that will cover you for some claims in a set period, check your terms. Excess will be payable and they'll refund once claims settled if in your favour. We've had twats at fault deny it and had to take 50/50 too.

pumpkinpie01 · 22/02/2022 11:30

The police are only interested if someone is injured , doesn't stop or the traffic needs directing . They have no other interest in road traffic accidents. It sounds like your excess could be more than the repairs . You could ask your insurer to contact his insurer and see if he admits liability and base your claiming decision on that . Or alternatively you can find out his insurance details yourself ( costs a few pound on the internet ) and write to them direct.

WindyState · 22/02/2022 11:35

Assuming that the damage is limited to the paint - no dents etc - I personally wouldn't bother going through the insurance. If it is just paint damage just get a couple of quotes from decent body shops and go from there. T-Cut won't work on that.

WindyState · 22/02/2022 11:36

@Chely

If you contact the police non emergency number they can obtain the other drivers details from the reg number. May be costly to both insurance wise (excess and premium hikes) and it is a fair bit of hassle, up to you if you want to go through claims.

If you have no claims protection that will cover you for some claims in a set period, check your terms. Excess will be payable and they'll refund once claims settled if in your favour. We've had twats at fault deny it and had to take 50/50 too.

If you have the reg number that is all a insurance company will need, no need at all to call the police.
Essentialgarage · 22/02/2022 11:36

I can't see the depth of the scratch to see if it's white transfer from the other car or if it's gone through the layers of the paint. If the latter as I expect T cut will not make a difference. If it needs a proper bodyshop rather than a chips away fix, then I wouldn't be surprised if it was £400-600 as feathering would be tricky.

Original poster
User0610134049 · 22/02/2022 11:46

No it’s gone through
Other car was black
🤞 it’s not that much 🙈

OP posts: