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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:
herbygarden · 14/12/2023 19:53

Try not to panic OP, these things happen. It's rubbish but it will get sorted :)

User2856948 · 14/12/2023 19:54

Someone scuffed my car on my rear wheel arch, must have happened in a car park, these things happen, I can't get worked up about it though, it's not like it stops me driving the car, I'm not going to bother getting it done as it's not really worth it, it could happen again.

BibbleandSqwauk · 14/12/2023 19:54

@XmasHamster if you can afford a 50k car would you really be raging at a scratch that might cost a few hundred to buff out? Annoyed yes, fine, but raging or fuming? Cars are lumps of metal that move very fast and very close to other lumps of metal. Of course occasionally things are going to happen. It's a lump of metal that gets you from a to b. It's up to you if you want to spend that much on it but that doesn't entitle someone to really unpleasant to someone else who had a genuine accident.

ElaineMBenes · 14/12/2023 19:54

Of course I would be fuming that someone had damaged something of mine that cost nearly £50,000.
That is not an overreaction. Most people I know care very much about their cars getting damaged.
I can only assume you are one of the people who drive round in a beaten up car and think the rest of us feel the same.
And I'm sure you feel very superior but really I just think you are an idiot.
And most likely a bad driver or none driver.
(Who will now claim to own a ferrari that they don't care in the slightest if it gets damaged - there's more to life than money you know etc etc)

You know accidents happen yeah?

Shade17 · 14/12/2023 19:54

if your excess is a lot, you may be able to come to an agreement with your insurance company.

What excess!?

LuckySantangelo35 · 14/12/2023 19:57

ah only on mumsnet, people pretending like they have nice cars and really wouldn’t give a shit if they got damaged, the would just tinkly laugh and smile serenely. Meanwhile in the real world, people work really hard to buy things like cars and would be upset to have them damaged like that.

autienotnaughty · 14/12/2023 19:58

I hit a car the other year. My insurance company dealt with it. I didn't have to pay anything at all.

Do you have protected no claims?

janfebmarchapril · 14/12/2023 20:01

We've had this happen to us twice recently .

Once someone hit our car and drove off so someone else left a note with the persons reg on so well done for leaving a note!

Second time a man left a note, my husband spoke to him- was a really sweet older man who was going through a lot. We've told him not to worry and will get it sorted ourselves and just forget about it.

And no it's not a banged up car it's a new Jaguar E pace.

Really hope this happens here OP x

MumblesParty · 14/12/2023 20:02

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.

@MikeRafone I think that may be a typo, when you say “they can demand you don’t use your insurance”. I think you meant they CAN’T demand.

OP, it’s your choice to use insurance or not.

User2856948 · 14/12/2023 20:02

If people have cars on PCP contracts then they are probably more bothered about scratches and stuff but we always buy our cars outright and keep them until they are worth very little so scratches are not so bothersome, in fact that is one of the reasons we always buy a car then we don't have to worry about stuff like that

BashfulClam · 14/12/2023 20:03

LuckySantangelo35 · 14/12/2023 19:57

ah only on mumsnet, people pretending like they have nice cars and really wouldn’t give a shit if they got damaged, the would just tinkly laugh and smile serenely. Meanwhile in the real world, people work really hard to buy things like cars and would be upset to have them damaged like that.

I wouldn’t be happy but I’d realise it’s an accident and can be sorted out. I wouldn’t be ‘fuming’ and not able to talk on the phone due to it. My car is nice and I like it but accidents do happen and that looks fixable. A woman ran into the back of my husband at traffics light and he got out calmed her firm as she was really upset, took her details and that was it. It was fixed, no one got hurt so what’s the point in going nuts. I’d be annoyed if they didn’t leave details or were uninsured as that’s when I’d have to be hit in the pocket.

WillowTit · 14/12/2023 20:05

just let the insurance company dont deal with it, you wont have to pay excess, you should have a no claims bonus too

janefondofu · 14/12/2023 20:06

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

When was this, and roughly where?

User4356 · 14/12/2023 20:09

You won't need to pay an excess for the third party claim. The excess only applies if you are claiming for your own damage.

Depending who your insurer is, they may be proactive in contacting the third party quickly. They will want to arrange the repair quickly to minimize any additional costs e g. vehicle hire whilst the vehicle is being repaired.. They will also want to make sure that a third party claims handling company don't get wind of the claim, because if they do, they will be looking to claim for as much as they can from your insurer.

RedHelenB · 14/12/2023 20:10

LuckySantangelo35 · 14/12/2023 19:57

ah only on mumsnet, people pretending like they have nice cars and really wouldn’t give a shit if they got damaged, the would just tinkly laugh and smile serenely. Meanwhile in the real world, people work really hard to buy things like cars and would be upset to have them damaged like that.

I disagree. I've had 2 minor scrapes myself and both times said forget about it and the same vice versa. My dad said the same when a new driver dented his boot.

Headshoulderscheeseontoast · 14/12/2023 20:14

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

It was an accident op, they happen

The fact that you left your details is the main point here. I've had this happen twice to my cars and the people who did drove off without leaving details.

MrsGhastlyCrumb · 14/12/2023 20:18

Just to note (in case it hasn't been said already), be very careful of leaving notes. Some chancer could easily come along, take the note and scam you. Not advocating doing the wrong thing at all, but do make sure you are contact with the registered owner!

MNHQ
CCmumsnet · 14/12/2023 20:19

Hello everyone

We've had a number of reports from people concerned about this thread so, as we usually do in these circs, we're putting our heads round the door with some important reminders.

Right now we can't see any evidence to indicate that the OP isn't above board – if we did, we'd remove the thread straight away. But the truth is that, sadly, we at MNHQ can't know with 100% certainty that any poster is genuine, no matter who they are or how long they have been here. As frustrating as it is, we're not able to vouch for anyone here.

So we always ask users to remember that not everyone on the internet is who they say they are – and remind folk not to give more to another poster, either financially (in cash or gifts) or emotionally (in time or care and support) than they'd be prepared to lose if things went wrong. We strongly advise against parting with any cash or giving away your personal details, and if you receive a PM which makes you uneasy - report it to us and we’ll take a look.

Sorry to hijack your thread briefly there, OP – we really hope you get it all sorted soon!

WotNoUserName · 14/12/2023 20:21

I hit a parked car this weekend. Blush I was worried about the owners reaction but he sent me a text with a heart at the end then popped round to see me, we swapped details and insurance is dealing with it. He was very understanding and obviously I was very apologetic.

My car is hardly scratched, his had the side panel ripped off.

If it had been the other way round I would have been understanding. Yes, my car is nice, but that's why we have insurance, so this sort of thing can be sorted out. Maybe it's because I see my car as a method of getting me from A to B rather than something precious and special.

Lefthandwoman · 14/12/2023 20:22

That's all you can do. Hopefully they're feeling the Christmas spirit! Try not to worry, you can insist it goes through insurance and it sounds like that means it will be covered with no excess. It's what insurance is for. You did the right thing leaving your details, many wouldn't.

WillowCraft · 14/12/2023 20:22

They may well be upset and annoyed but they can still communicate in a civilised way. Anyone who shouts, swears, harasses you should be reported to the police.

All this talk of insurance going up is rubbish anyway. Your premium is not going to go up by more than £100 at the very most for a small claim. So it's always cheaper to go through the insurance unless it's like £50. In any case get 2 quotes before handing over any money.

I have claimed on mine to replace a whole car and the increase for a new policy was under £100. You don't lose all your no claims bonus, just a bit in proportion to the amount. So unless a very new driver, to lose a couple of years won't make much difference.

BIossomtoes · 14/12/2023 20:40

I scraped a car in Tesco’s car park once. I left a note on the windscreen with my contact details and never heard from the other driver. I was astonished. It seems some people aren’t precious about their cars.

Original poster
sleepdeprivedma · 14/12/2023 20:44

Feeling a little better still worried but I'm just sitting tight waiting for them to contact me I couldn't never of drove away I'd be guilt ridden for the foreseeable

OP posts:
StSwithinsDay · 14/12/2023 21:06

@WillowCraft
In any case get 2 quotes before handing over any money.
It's not up to the OP to get quotes. The person whose car is damaged is entitled to have it fixed by their choice of garage/panel beater.

Shade17 · 14/12/2023 21:11

It's not up to the OP to get quotes. The person whose car is damaged is entitled to have it fixed by their choice of garage/panel beater.

And they’re more than welcome to discuss that with the OP’s insurer.

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