Settling an RTA claim privately.

[FrenchieBoy]

I have a situation that I have not had before and would like some advice on. I was involved in a minor RTA yesterday evening and the other driver wants to settle privately without going through insurance so as to save no claims bonus, which I am happy with. The details are as follows:
I was pulling up in a local supermarket car park and looking for a parking space doing just 6 MPH. Without warning a car that was parked in a space reversed out without looking and hit me square on in the side of my car. I immediately stopped and blocked the other car off (An Audi A4) so he could not try to drive away if he tried to. The driver straight away admitted that it was entirely his fault and that I was blameless! The "accident" was witnessed by one of the security staff from the super market who said he would act as a witness if required. (I have everything on dash cam so no problem there). The driver gave me all of his details and to cover myself I took photos of the damage to both my car and his car along with his registration etc. He gave me his phone number and address along with proof of his detail. (He is a candidate for the Conservative party in out local council elections)
What he is suggesting is that he would be happy to have one of his friends who owns and runs a garage repair all the damage to my car for me F.O.C.. I am wondering if it might be better if I got say 2 separate quotes from other garages and ask him to pay for lets say the cheaper quote. I have to say that the damage to my car is minimal with only a very minor dent where the front wing joins the door pillar which is barely noticeable and my step son (Who works as a car valet) says that he can get put right for me.
What would the advice of "those in the know" be please?
I should say that this is only the second "bump" that I have been involved in for over 30 years and the other was so minimal (In my Freelander) that it wasn't worth bothering with as there was so little damage to my vehicle even though the other car was a bit of a mess and the driver was happy to let the matter drop as he was entirely at fault and admitted it on video.
What would the advice be from "those in the know" be please?

 

[Stalker62]

I have to say that the damage to my car is minimal with only a very minor dent where the front wing joins the door pillar which is barely noticeable and my step son (Who works as a car valet) says that he can get put right for me.

Sounds to me then, that this is a non-issue - but then I drive a Landrover...

 

[Morkai]

Inform your insurance regardless, one, because you have to and two, in case they shark you and back out of the repairs.

 

[finnbear270]

I would want to see his current vehicle insurance certificate.

 

[Farmer_J]

I had similar a few years ago in a supermarket car park. I got my own quotes and the person that hit our car sent over the funds. We didn’t go through the insurance, damage was minimal and not worth the agro of increased premiums for the following years. If you do go through insurance you will have increased premiums, even with protected no claims. Also I’m not sure how 100% this is but as a supermarket car park is not the highway, I have heard of liability being 50/50 regardless of who’s at fault.

 

[marineboy]

Don't trust him he's a politician

 

[kes]

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?

 

[Tf223]

Yeah get your own quote and accept cash, or go through insurance. I wouldn’t risk being messed around by the mate of mine malarkey. If that failed, or wasn’t done to standard you’d be worse off.

I’ve done the quote and accepted cash for a minor bump. In the end I decided not to repair as the car was old, but that was my choice.

 

[Phil fox man]

ask him for £250 to cover the repairs,then go and buy some bullets and forget about the dent.
I put dents in my l200 for free,so if someone pays me £250 dent away

 

[Trickyd66]

It is condition of yours (and his) insurance policies to advise of any damage claims or losses, be them insured or not (had it with a walk in theft... no claim made on house insurance, but company told me off for not notifying them as could invalidate insurance)

 

[Rake Aboot]

I can tell you now if you let your insewerance know then you will pay an “No fault loading” for years to come.
Why not let him fix it ? You have enough evidence if he tries to pull any sort of fast one but maybe the guy is genuine.

It’s also easy enough to check if he is insured.

 

[Utectok]

I once said I’d do the job no insurance as a favour. Fixed my car myself and only wanted money for parts (he ran into the back off me when I was stoped). The guy refused to pay….. mmm said he’d lost his job ect ect. Bit more cautious these days.

 

[Utectok]

Last time someone ran into the back of me I made a third party claim against his insurance. As I would loose no claims even though the other guy ran into the back of me???
Anyway wanted a new back door for the Landrover and asked for parts money only. Asked for £400 and the insurance gave me £440! To install!

 

[Skietindiekop]

Personally if the damage is minimal and almost not worth doing the repairs I wouldn’t inform the insurance as the on costs for loss of bonus etc will wipe out the repair costs especially if you are on a couple of policies (wife’s car maybe?).
Take his money and either sort yourself or don’t bother and spend it on something you need.

 

[phildsmith69]

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?!

 

[nun_hunter]

I can tell you now if you let your insewerance know then you will pay an “No fault loading” for years to come.
Why not let him fix it ? You have enough evidence if he tries to pull any sort of fast one but maybe the guy is genuine.

It’s also easy enough to check if he is insured.

This is something most people don't realise. Even if it's a no fault accident you will still pay extra for the next 3-5 years, the logic behind this is that no matter the fault if you are involved in an accident you're more likely to be involved in another one (and/or make another claim at least). This even includes returning to your car in a car park to find it damaged regardless of the fact you weren't even in the car or in control of it at the time it was damaged.

Plenty of companies and individuals get a local garage to do the repairs and pay them direct rather than go through the insurance.

Fault or not the claim will run into many thousands of pounds once there has been a courtesy car provided, the extortionate price of the insurance companies approved garage, covering their office costs etc. Depending on the value of your car you may end up having it written off once all the costs are factored in.

 

[Beretta V]

If it’s that small get another quote from a reputable bodyshop. Make him pay in advance of booking in.
If you notify your insurance it is classed as an accident and will affect your insurance even though it’s not your fault.

 

[Stalker62]

From experience he is not insured.

And I thought Mystic Meg was dead...

I would also ask at the local police station who 'owns' the car.

Good luck finding a 'local' Police station and if you do, they are not telling you who 'owns' anything.

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.

So the local 'Tory" candidate is now running around in a criminal 'pool car' is he? (Actually he might be...)

I was rear ended by an Asian chap in Liverpool...

The relevance being?

 

[Beretta V]

What I should also pointed out is that I have managed several bodyshop’s.
I have dealt with thousands of claims.
If he is paying make sure the repair shop knows that’s the case.
I’ve had people authorise work then come in to collect their car and then say that someone else is paying or they say call xyz as he is paying!
Get it organised correctly first as it pays off in the end!!

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

I have a situation that I have not had before and would like some advice on. I was involved in a minor RTA yesterday evening and the other driver wants to settle privately without going through insurance so as to save no claims bonus, which I am happy with. The details are as follows:
I was pulling up in a local supermarket car park and looking for a parking space doing just 6 MPH. Without warning a car that was parked in a space reversed out without looking and hit me square on in the side of my car. I immediately stopped and blocked the other car off (An Audi A4) so he could not try to drive away if he tried to. The driver straight away admitted that it was entirely his fault and that I was blameless! The "accident" was witnessed by one of the security staff from the super market who said he would act as a witness if required. (I have everything on dash cam so no problem there). The driver gave me all of his details and to cover myself I took photos of the damage to both my car and his car along with his registration etc. He gave me his phone number and address along with proof of his detail. (He is a candidate for the Conservative party in out local council elections)
What he is suggesting is that he would be happy to have one of his friends who owns and runs a garage repair all the damage to my car for me F.O.C.. I am wondering if it might be better if I got say 2 separate quotes from other garages and ask him to pay for lets say the cheaper quote. I have to say that the damage to my car is minimal with only a very minor dent where the front wing joins the door pillar which is barely noticeable and my step son (Who works as a car valet) says that he can get put right for me.
What would the advice of "those in the know" be please?
I should say that this is only the second "bump" that I have been involved in for over 30 years and the other was so minimal (In my Freelander) that it wasn't worth bothering with as there was so little damage to my vehicle even though the other car was a bit of a mess and the driver was happy to let the matter drop as he was entirely at fault and admitted it on video.
What would the advice be from "those in the know" be please?

I’ve been in a situation like that before many years ago, actually turned out, the other person was not insured I will be very careful.!