Settling an RTA claim privately.

[Stalker62]

Well a picture (video) paints...


That is (in my view) a significant impact, and with way more damage than you first intimated.

Are you sure the other chap did not just drive over the top of you?

 

[Jh1986]

Yep, that gap in the door is definitely significant enough to warrant the full works. I'd be contacting the insurers for that amount of damage

 

[Beretta V]

Ok, I see what you are saying but there is damage that was not noticed earlier. To show the damage to the door rather than use just a few photos here is a short video showing the actual damage. The damage to the door which wasn't noticed earlier is at the end of the short video.

Now I’ve seen that Go through insurance that’s the whole side that needs painting/blending and lacquering. Don’t settle for less it needs to be done correctly or it will be a mess.
On your original explanation it sounded small. That’s a costly repair

 

[Beretta V]

Ok, I see what you are saying but there is damage that was not noticed earlier. To show the damage to the door rather than use just a few photos here is a short video showing the actual damage. The damage to the door which wasn't noticed earlier is at the end of the short video.

Now I’ve seen that Go through insurance that’s the whole side that needs painting/blending and lacquering. Don’t settle for less it needs to be done correctly or it will be a mess.
On your original explanation it sounded small. That’s a costly repair

 

[Fair Hill]

Ok, I see what you are saying but there is damage that was not noticed earlier. To show the damage to the door rather than use just a few photos here is a short video showing the actual damage. The damage to the door which wasn't noticed earlier is at the end of the short video.

I honestly wouldn't have thought even the Tory that hit you could call that "a barely noticeable very minor dent where the front wing joins the door pillar".

You're going to need a replacement car while the repairs are being carried out and perhaps a new appointment with Specsavers.

 

[Soap]

Insurance every time, so much hassle otherwise, let the insurance company do all the work.

 

[kes]

You will be looking at £3k plus for that - door replacement, possible damage to A pillar /bodywork /paint etc.
Inform your insurers that its happened, get an estimate/2 is better. Tell him cost is Estimate X 1.5 and that you want it repaired at your garage and you will need cash upfront or by Monday/Tuesday you will go via insurance. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES allow his 'friend' to do that work.
All the best.

 

[Archer]

Go the insurance route and I would not be surprised if it isn't a Cat S write off - depending on the age of the car

 

[enfieldspares]

Well a picture (video) paints...


That is (in my view) a significant impact, and with way more damage than you first intimated.

Are you sure the other chap did not just drive over the top of you?

Yes, My brother worked in the motor trade, after he did his twenty years in the police. You've a new wing, what in past times would be a new door skin for the front door and, possibly, a new rear door skin. A lot depends on what the maker of your car supplies as parts. I don't think anyone now does a door skin anymore. So that's a new front door at the very least. In any case the door will likely have to be stripped of its internals and then reassembled. That's costly in labour. The bill for £730 that you say you have appears a low estimate to me given my own knowledge from working until two years ago in the Inspection Department of the Neovia inventory parts facility for Land Rover. Have you had a quote from an official agency for your make of car or, at least, their approved repairer. IMHO, as said, that's a lot more than £730 there.

 

[baguio]

What have you got to lose? You have all of the evidence that you need. If he doesn't get your car fixed you then contact your insurance company which you would have done anyway. As others have said, "It's nice to be nice". Also, typical that we have the same old drama queens who are making a mountain out of a mole hill.
I have had someone agree to pay to get my car fixed and they did. Old car and I got a second hand bumper from a scrap yard but a 20 year old lad doesn't need it on his insurance. Treat as you want to be treated. Not everyone is dishonest! In fact, most people are honest and are as good as their word.

 

[Morkai]

Id agree if it was just getting a second hand bumper but I can't see someone paying cash to have that amount of damage repaired.

 

[baguio]

Id agree if it was just getting a second hand bumper but I can't see someone paying cash to have that amount of damage repaired.

So give him a chance. If he gets a quote and cant afford it then it will have to go through the insurance anyway. It's not going to be cheap to fix, that's for certain but if his mate can fix it and he has a big excess he may still rather pay himself. After a quote I would have thought that he would know which way he wanted to go. Wouldn't be a bit surprised if the insurance company wrote it off. It doesn't take much on low value cars.

 

[eggy74]

I was sat on my bike (Triumph speed triple) outside my local triumph dealer which has a shared car park with the car dealers next door. As i was about to leave a car in another bay reversed out and hit me knocking me over and damaging a few bits on the offside of the bike, obviously his fault and he admitted it, it was witnessed by the guys in the bike shop who came straight out and, after making sure we were ok, did a quick survey of the damage and ran up a quote in about 20 minutes. the guy who hit me settled the bill straight away and i picked up the bits the following weekend. Should i have gone through the insurers? could i have got some personal injury cash? probably, but for me getting things settled with the minimum of fuss and bother was way more important. The guys in the shop did point out that there was a small scratch through the paint on the frame and that it would likely write the bike off (worth £6k) which i did not want to happen

 

[TH4]

From experience he is not insured. You MUST advise your insurance company - I would also ask at the local police station who 'owns' the car.
There are 'pool' cars for criminals these days not insured owned by a group of criminals. The info and photos you have will ensure you do not have to pay but checking first is a wise precaution.
Finally, under no circumstances would I advise you to accept the offer of a 'friends garage'. Just say to him that it will have to go through your insurers or get at least twice the estimate in cash and advise your insurers that you will be repairing your car.
I was rear ended by an Asian chap in Liverpool in the 80's, same story but pulled a wad of notes from his pocket and asked how much to fix my car. In those days headlights didnt cost a £1000 each as they do now.

Just as an aside, I was hit by a driver in the next space to mine as he pulled out - damage to wing, front panel and wheel. Cost £3500 from 2 estimates. If you do go the private route cover yourself by doing your bit according to the book and get substantially more cash than is needed - you can always return it - because you at least are honest, is he?

It is easy to check if he has insurance on the mid data base.

 

[Stalker62]

The guys in the shop did point out that there was a small scratch through the paint on the frame and that it would likely write the bike off (worth £6k)...

Really?

 

[Morkai]

So give him a chance. If he gets a quote and cant afford it then it will have to go through the insurance anyway.

Yeah, fair enough.

I'd still notify my company of a no claim incident just because they can void your policy if found out.

I had similar on my motorcycle and I didnt want my insurer finding out about an incident from a 3rd party, my renewal didnt go up because of it.

 

[potshotpat]

Update:
I've just got back from a reputable body shop with a quote. It turns out that the front passenger door is bent in such a way that it doesn't close properly any more and will let the rain in between the top of the door and the roof so needs replacing (We didn't notice this yesterday evening). It will also need work on the NSF wing and NSR door. So along with that, paintwork and labour charges the quote for the repairs is £730.00.
I've just spoken to the other driver and he has suggested that we take the car to another body repair shop and get a quote from them, which I have agreed to do.
Let's see what happens!

I only trust the lord, and he pays cash.

 

[Jh1986]

Really?

Yep, quite common on bikes. My uncle once had a small spill on his old KTM. Wanted it written off so went marching up the garden with a big rock. Launched it at the bike in comical fashion and dinged the frame. Satisfied, he called his insurers. They replaced the frame and repaired it

 

[bogtrotter]

I would go through the insurance regardless of what he says (so what if he looses his no-claims). That way you are protected from all angles including your piece of mind and own insurance. Thats why you pay for your insurance in the first place isnt it?!

Yes but you will also lose your no claims no
Claims means exactly that no claims regardless of who was at a fault you can of course sue the other party but its a lot of hassle .

 

[phildsmith69]

Yes but you will also lose your no claims no
Claims means exactly that no claims regardless of who was at a fault you can of course sue the other party but its a lot of hassle .

Not if you have no claims protection...