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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

I HIT A CAR FOR THE FIRST TIME

112 replies

sleepdeprivedma · 14/12/2023 18:23

Currently panicking myself tonight I was parking in a pace and I pulled out and scratched the car beside me with my car being white and the other being black you can see it. I've left a note with my name and number and I'm just sitting shitting myself as I don't know what to expect and I have £17 in the bank so I'm worried about the money. Can my insurance cover this?
Im posting on AIBU for traffic

OP posts:
PianPianPiano · 14/12/2023 18:57

DixonD · 14/12/2023 18:27

I was nearly hit (in my car) this afternoon by a driver reversing out of a parking space at some speed without looking.

Maybe take your time in future.

Maybe it wasn't the OP that nearly hit you? Strange to assume she was going too fast just because you saw a car driving fast...

Lefthandwoman · 14/12/2023 18:58

That does look like it might polish out with a T-cut, if it's not too badly scratched. Really hope they're sympathetic OP, you never know, they might be. Perhaps if they don't want to go through insurance you could suggest they try that first?

Original poster
sleepdeprivedma · 14/12/2023 18:59

Lefthandwoman · 14/12/2023 18:58

That does look like it might polish out with a T-cut, if it's not too badly scratched. Really hope they're sympathetic OP, you never know, they might be. Perhaps if they don't want to go through insurance you could suggest they try that first?

Is just have to explain my situation I'm
A single mum I have no money and hope for the best the only way I'd be able to fix it is to go through the insurance x

OP posts:
MikeRafone · 14/12/2023 19:02

Can I still use the insurance even if they rather I didn't

yes, and you should inform your insurance regardless, but they can demand you don’t use your insurance- you’re free to use what you pay for.

Original poster
sleepdeprivedma · 14/12/2023 19:04

EvilElsa · 14/12/2023 18:56

OK, have you got your policy handy? We can try and help you find out?

This?

I HIT A CAR FOR THE FIRST TIME
OP posts:
VisionsOfSplendour · 14/12/2023 19:04

sarah0106 · 14/12/2023 18:55

You'll pay your excess but your renewal for next year will be up because you've had a claim.

I'd check that, ime you don't usually pay the excess for 3rd party costs, if you aren't claiming for damage to your car you don't pay anything.

Original poster
sleepdeprivedma · 14/12/2023 19:06

There nothing on my car

OP posts:
EvilElsa · 14/12/2023 19:06

Sorry OP that's a bit fuzzy for me, I can't quite make it out -maybe someone else here with better eyesight than me can look?

Original poster
sleepdeprivedma · 14/12/2023 19:06

So
I won't be claiming anything to my car

OP posts:
idontlikealdi · 14/12/2023 19:06

What's your excess?

XmasHamster · 14/12/2023 19:07

To be honest OP, if I had got that damage on my car I would still be fuming and be waiting until I calmed down to call you.
Once the person contacts you, you get their insurance details, give them yours call your insurer or report the incident online and it will go from there.
I would always go through insurance for damage, as I want an approved repair unless it was very superficial and would polish out.

Scampuss · 14/12/2023 19:07

You need to provide them your insurers details and policy number.

You can insist on going through insurance, this is absolutely fine.

You won't pay an excess for third party repairs/costs.

I have been hit 3 times (2 of those cars written off ☹️) and once hit a parked car, the third party claim was by far the easiest of all as all I had to do was provide a statement of what happened.

Thereissomelight · 14/12/2023 19:08

XmasHamster · 14/12/2023 19:07

To be honest OP, if I had got that damage on my car I would still be fuming and be waiting until I calmed down to call you.
Once the person contacts you, you get their insurance details, give them yours call your insurer or report the incident online and it will go from there.
I would always go through insurance for damage, as I want an approved repair unless it was very superficial and would polish out.

I wouldn’t. It really isn’t the end of the world, especially as she was honest to a fault and left her number.

Hopefully OP the car owner is me (I wouldn’t even call you) and not the above spreader of joy.

Original poster
sleepdeprivedma · 14/12/2023 19:08

XmasHamster · 14/12/2023 19:07

To be honest OP, if I had got that damage on my car I would still be fuming and be waiting until I calmed down to call you.
Once the person contacts you, you get their insurance details, give them yours call your insurer or report the incident online and it will go from there.
I would always go through insurance for damage, as I want an approved repair unless it was very superficial and would polish out.

I understand them being angry it was very dark and just thought I had room honestly could just cry

OP posts:
Mrsttcno1 · 14/12/2023 19:10

OP from what I can make out it looks like your excess is around £300, the photo is a bit blurry but it looks to be either £200/300

XmasHamster · 14/12/2023 19:10

sleepdeprivedma · 14/12/2023 19:08

I understand them being angry it was very dark and just thought I had room honestly could just cry

Show quote history

Shit happens, they will understand, but like I said the reason they haven't contacted you might be that they are cross right now. But that feeling fades

Shade17 · 14/12/2023 19:12

Mrsttcno1 · 14/12/2023 19:10

OP from what I can make out it looks like your excess is around £300, the photo is a bit blurry but it looks to be either £200/300

You don’t pay the excess on third party claims so it’s irrelevant.

Petalpup · 14/12/2023 19:12

At least you left your details. Someone hit my husbands car in a car park and just drove off leaving £1500 worth of damage.

You can go through insurance but repair might actually cost less than the excess

Badgerandfox227 · 14/12/2023 19:13

These things happen, often, really don’t worry about it. You don’t have to rush for insurance straight away. Maybe ask them to get a couple of quotes and then see if by then you may have the money or you could ask to go through the insurance.

Mrsttcno1 · 14/12/2023 19:17

Money wise you need to really look at the numbers to see what you are better off doing.

If you go via insurance, your next renewal will reflect that, so if money is tight that will make it tighter. Car insurance has massively increased anyway over the last few months, my husband has no claims at all and been driving 8 years and even his has gone up at his renewal this month. If the cost of the damage is only going to be £50 for example, you’re better off settling that without involving insurance.

WillowCraft · 14/12/2023 19:18

Always always go through insurance unless you know and trust the other party. Your insurance cost isn't going to change much for a couple of hundred quid claim. You need to inform insurance either way.

If they contact you give them your insurer's details and don't discuss it any further.

EvilElsa · 14/12/2023 19:18

It was an accident. It's done now, try not to worry about it. Worse that happens is you go through the insurance. They will get their car repaired. You did the right thing leaving your details, stop beating yourself up.

ChilledToTheBone · 14/12/2023 19:19

These things happen. You have left your details.
I once stupidly left hand brake off. I rolled to another car. I waited a while then left a note. They called me and said they'd geta quote or i could go through my insurance.
A week later didn't hear anything. Called them and they said don't worry as the car was old and had so many marks they couldn't be sure id actually damaged it and wasn't already there.
.
If the shoe was on the other foot id probably understand your situation and for being honest and say we'd sort in the NY. If it won't t cut out

WhatNoUsername · 14/12/2023 19:20

sleepdeprivedma · 14/12/2023 18:44

Can I still go through the insurance even if they don't want to?? Cause I genuinely can't Afford to get it fixed out if pocket I could cry 😭 could barley afford Xmas now this

Yes. They don't get to decide that. You just need to report the accident to your insurance company and give them the car registration. Hopefully the car owner will provide the other details but your insurer will be able to track them down via the reg anyway.

WhatNoUsername · 14/12/2023 19:21

XmasHamster · 14/12/2023 19:07

To be honest OP, if I had got that damage on my car I would still be fuming and be waiting until I calmed down to call you.
Once the person contacts you, you get their insurance details, give them yours call your insurer or report the incident online and it will go from there.
I would always go through insurance for damage, as I want an approved repair unless it was very superficial and would polish out.

Why would you be "fuming"? Accidents happen, no point getting worked up about it.