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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Car crash - they're asking for more money as she's saying her car a write off

80 replies

tangerinedays · 22/02/2023 09:27

Had a bump yesterday. She's saying it's my fault, I think she was going far too fast, but not really about that. She's saying it will cost £1,000 to fix her car but the insurers will just write it off for around £500 (we were both in crappy runarounds). She's already cross that I told insurers (I think you legally have to) because she just wanted me to pay the £1000. I feel like this is surely what I have insurance for? We live in a small town. I don't know her, but do vaguely know some of her family and friends. AIBU to just shut her down and tell her to deal with insurers?

OP posts:

LuluBlakey1 · 22/02/2023 12:00

You sound as if you gave her your insurance details but didn't take hers, just her name. It's a good idea to always ask for the other driver's insurance company and take their car reg and photograph the damage.

amicissimma · 22/02/2023 12:01

tangerinedays · 22/02/2023 09:31

Ok, great. She turned up at my house asking for the money (having apparently got a quote within three hours of the incident). Then two members of her family pitched up. Urgh, just don't need this stress in my life right now!

Tell your insurance company this. It's all part of the picture.

If you have any further contact with them, just say 'the insurance is dealing with it' on repeat, no matter how they provoke you. Any harassment, call the Police.

IndysMamaRex · 22/02/2023 12:14

Speak only to the insurance company. If she or anyone else turns up keep a log & inform the insurance company. Likely the fraud team will then get involved & she’ll soon back off

StickofVeg · 22/02/2023 12:14

Definitely go through insurance! You'll have a load of trouble with her otherwise by the sounds of things.

Seeline · 22/02/2023 12:39

If you don't even think it was your fault definitely go through your insurance!!

Englishash · 22/02/2023 12:55

I'm wondering if she even HAS insurance ...

oatmilkl · 22/02/2023 12:57

I accidentally scratched a car when it was very windy and when I opened my door it flung open onto their car. Literally a 3cm crash. It was a 2008 car I think.

I left my details (partner told me I was an idiot to do so). They contacted me claiming their car was a write off, will cost £1000’s.

I didn’t respond to them.

oatmilkl · 22/02/2023 12:58

3cm long scratch* not even deep.

mezlou84 · 22/02/2023 13:26

Definitely do it through insurance. We once didn't and it bit us on the backside. You have to claim within a certain amount of time otherwise its invalid. Don't let them pressure you into it. She's acting like she has no insurance or just out for more money. If they come round trying to intimidate you phone the police. We only ever go through insurance now. They will probably claim on insurance after getting money.

CornishGem1975 · 22/02/2023 13:29

I had this recently. I was at fault, completely, but other driver wasn't insured so obviously didn't want to go through insurance. Not my problem buddy. I gave him my insurance details, I gave my insurance company his details and then as recommended by my insurance company, I blocked his number.

Muminthebluecoat · 22/02/2023 13:38

Sounds like somethings not quite right at her end. Maybe not insured? definitely go through insurers. Phone police of she turns up again.

GiveMeStrengthNow · 22/02/2023 14:19

Don't give her any money. Report accident to police and to insurers with your explanation and her details - let them sort it out.

Ariela · 22/02/2023 14:27

Do you have any dash cam or independent witnesses? Could be useful.
Stick to it going through insurance

ivykaty44 · 22/02/2023 15:19

tell your insurance company that this person and other associates are turning up at your home...

GoodChat · 22/02/2023 15:21

Oh I hope she's not insured!

Let your insurance decide who's at fault.

GlassBunion · 22/02/2023 17:46

She is definitely trying to scam you.
She probably has a relative/friend who can 'sort it out' for two or three hundred quid... maybe even for free.

It happened to me . She got two quotes and informed me that I had to pay x amount.
I didn't tell her that I'd already informed my insurers as they told me not to engage with her. She kept sending messages , with increasing levels of legal gobbledygook

I snapped and texted her that our insurers were dealing with it .

Result was that the cow bad mouthed me to parents at the school I worked at , for being 'heartless' and causing her 'extreme distress.'

Beautifully for me, two parents witnessed the incident and were my witnesses. ( This took place in a car park next to the school.)

amyds2104 · 22/02/2023 18:14

tangerinedays · 22/02/2023 09:31

Why the hell did her family turn up too??? Definitely don’t engage and keep yourself safe x

niugboo · 22/02/2023 19:33

You’re right re insurance.

As you think she was speeding you should have phone the police.

Based on her behaviour since you really need to.

angielizzy1 · 22/02/2023 20:20

Go through your insurance. This is the reason you pay for insurance so it doesn't end up costing a fortune if you have an accident. If you are at blame them she won't have to pay her excess or lose her no claims discounts.
With low value cars then yes they are easy to write off but you always have the option to buy it back from the insurers and get it fixed yourself or you can use the money to get another old banger.
If she turns up at your house call the police. You don't need to engage with her as the insurance company is dealing with it.

ShakespearesBlister · 22/02/2023 20:24

Definitely don't engage with her now she's turned up at your house.

saleorbouy · 22/02/2023 20:39

I would report the accident to the police, I'd be highly suspicious that all her papers are not in order and either she is uninsured or has an issue with her licence and is worried that she'll get rumbled when asked to provide details for the claim.
Keep a record of her contact with you and do not engage with her further. I would also notify your insurance of the intimidation and suspicion she might be hiding something.

Talkingfrog · 22/02/2023 20:44

I agree with other comments to let the insurance company deal with everything. They usually say don't get involved in duscussion and give everything them to deal with. Keep a record of any verbal contact she makes and let them know that too- all paints a picture.

Doesn't do any harm to report to the police for harassment either. At least there will them be an official record. Not saying they will do anything, but I once had someone verbally abuse me and the police traced the address through the car reg and told her to stay away.

Years ago I had a car valued at £700. I stopped but the car behind didn't and pushed me into a bus. The insurance said to get two quotes. One was over £1000 for just labour- parts and vat on top. The other just issued a letter saying beyond economic repair. The insurance told me to get two offers for scrap ( not below £60) and take the highest.

They sent an assessor to value the car before paying out and gave me the full £700. ( it came from the insurance of the person that hit me)

If the car is written off and she is insured she will get an appropriate value. If considered your fault she should get it all ( if she has legal cover with her policy they can recover her excess).

If considered her fault then she will get the value minus the excess, unless third party only in which case she will get nothing. That isn't your fault though.

I have sympathy for people whose car is written off by someone else's actions and the payout means they cannot afford an equivalent replacement. However, when someone behaves in an abusive way I have no sympathy at all and if she gets nothing then it is her own tough luck.

Bogeyes · 22/02/2023 20:44

Did she crash into you? I think she is trying to screw you for as much as she can. Don't pay her a penny.

Kennykenkencat · 22/02/2023 20:48

what sort of bump was it? Did she drive into the back of you or vice versa

Kennykenkencat · 22/02/2023 20:55

I had a crash this week. Just me and a brick wall .

Informed the insurance company and they have immediately bumped the insurance up to nearly double what I was quoted as my renewal price.

Really annoyed with myself as I can I’ll afford this extra bill atm

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