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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Car insurance query

14 replies

SiempreDot · 29/03/2022 18:59

I was reserve parking into behind a car this afternoon. I couldn't get into the spit and was about to drive off when the woman got out of the car and said I'd reversed into her. I'm not disputing that although I was only using the clutch to reverse, not the accelerator so it was 1/2mph no more when the car bumper and was so light touch I didn't hear or feel it over the reverse beeps. There's no damage on the car but she's now saying she'll have to throw out her three car seats and will claim on my insurance. I've had a look online and most advice seems to suggest this isn't necessary, only for moderate and severe bumps or crashes. It was less impact than an emergency stop, certainly not enough for me to feel. Does anyone have any experience in this or idea of whether advice is she should definitely not use the seats again?

OP posts:
Original poster
SiempreDot · 29/03/2022 19:08

Bump please help

OP posts:
HiJenny35 · 29/03/2022 19:09

You hit the car, you don't deny that and didn't even realise you'd done it. If she wants to request new car seats on your insurance she is totally within her rights to, it's down to your insurance company to argue that with her. Nothing to do with you, let the insurance deal with it.

Ilikewinter · 29/03/2022 19:11

Did you swap insurance details?, if so then its for the insurance companies to sort out.
Or, is she trying to claim you owe her for 3 car seats?

Original poster
SiempreDot · 29/03/2022 19:13

She wants to claim on my insurance but for three new car seats that will be most of my excess I suspect. I didn't realise my insurance company could dispute it. Thanks!

OP posts:
Thebig3 · 29/03/2022 19:15

For a bump like that she does not need to replace the car seat. I personally think she's trying it on. Are you sure you actually hit her car, if it left no mark and you didn't hear or see it then I can't see how you actually hit it??

Getoff · 29/03/2022 19:17

Presumably you are taking her word for it that you hit her, since you were unaware. If she wants to make a claim, I would give her insurance company details, but I would tell them that as far as I know, I did not hit her. With zero damage to her car, I don't see why they would believe her over you.

For an accident like this only a ridiculous (or dishonest) person would think car seats need replacing. If her car wasn't moved by the accident, there can be zero damage to the seats, that's simple physics. If her car was moved, then surely there would be at least some damage.

HiJenny35 · 29/03/2022 19:19

When she enters the claim the insurance company will send you a form to fill in asking what happened etc, you will need to explain that you aren't even certain you hit her, that you never saw any evidence of a collision and no sign of any movement of her car and that she immediately said she wanted new car seats and that you don't feel this is necessary. The insurance company will then discuss it with hers however, I would say that lots of companies state that the warranty of any car seat would be invalidated after any car accident of any degree, if that's the case for hers I can understand she wants them replaced as it's not her fault. And yes my car seats were around the £400 each mark so it may cost you your excess. Did you take photos of her car at the scene?

Bananarama101 · 29/03/2022 19:45

You only pay your excess if you claim off your own insurance. If she claims off it then you don't have to.

GrazingSheep · 29/03/2022 19:46

I know it’s too late in this instance but rear and front dash cams are well worth the money.

minionsrule · 29/03/2022 19:55

@SiempreDot

She wants to claim on my insurance but for three new car seats that will be most of my excess I suspect. I didn't realise my insurance company could dispute it. Thanks!
Excesses only apply to damage to your car, not the third parties damage so you won't have any excess to pay. I reckon she's trying it on anyway
gobbynorthernbird · 29/03/2022 19:57

As PP have said, you won't pay an excess.

I doubt your insurer will dispute, though, it'll cost them more than replacing the seats.

FranklySonImTheGaffer · 29/03/2022 20:01

Former car insurance claims worker here.
You won't have to pay excess as you're not claiming for damage to your own car.
If she took your reg or insurance details, call your insurer, report to them that she's claiming you hit her but you didn't and ask them to either send an IA (independent assessor) out or allow you to take it to one of their approved repairers - either one can check the car, take images and provide evidence to your insurance of either no damage or a very light impact.
That should give them all the evidence they need to dispute any fraudulent unreasonable claims she makes.

It's in their interest to do this - using a garage should cost them less than £50 and an IA around £100 - all much cheaper for them because 1 car seat will be more than that, never mind 3 (or anything else she may attempt to claim for).

If they find that there was no impact and successfully defend the claim (which may take some time), make sure to ask them to close the claim and remove it from the database (cue) so it doesn't effect your renewal or no claims discount.

Original poster
SiempreDot · 29/03/2022 20:06

Thanks all. This is all so helpful. I've never claimed or had anyone claim against me so I didn't realise excess was only for damage I claim for

OP posts:
junglejane66 · 29/03/2022 20:08

@SiempreDot

Bump please help
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