Had a little prang today

[bulldoze]

Had a little bump with my Merc today - I live in a private road and someone had parked their car illegally (We have an agreement that cars cannot park in the very tight shared road/pavement area in the cul-de-sac, unless loading/unloading)

I saw the car there and gingerly edged my car out of my car port but inadvertently pushed his door skin in leaving a 18 inch dent but no paint broken) The Merc was unmarked!

I called at the house he had been visiting (he had been parked there for 2 hours) and offered to pay for the damage and not bother to go to insurance as its too much hassle and I was convinced at the time that the door skin could be pushed out with a little skill - so £50 max?)

I know I did not have to make this offer but as I see it, I hit his car and with a little more attentiveness I would not have. I made the offer half thinking that he would have seen that he was not blameless and offer to go dutch or even forget the matter (he had a 4 yr old Megane) but he did not say much, accepted the offer and drove off.

Have not heard from him yet, but what do I do if he insists on a new door? and a few hundred in notes? not sure what my reaction would be to that, so I will have to temper it by being forewarned!

Would it be too late at that stage to just say to hell with it and let the insurance companies sort it out? He could well be related to my neighbours so I would be wary of souring the relationship with them over this affair - we have a very pleasant neighbourhood of 6 houses with a friendly atmosphere.

Not had any real prangs before or much dealings with insurance companies so am a little ignorant in this area.

 

[stevesey]

If was me I'd be wanted the car sorted properly and returned to the state it was in previously. I think that's going to come to a bit more than £50.

 

[jaymanek]

see if a local dent man can get it out.. most door creases can be removed, especially on a megane which has metal the thickness normally found in the heinz factory.

 

[joe]

Many Peoples 1st Reaction when they are at fault, is to offer to pay for what looks like very minor damage.
Allow him to get quotes and then decide to take it through your Insurance or not.
Remember he may want to take it to the dealers and have a hire car while repairs are completed. Or he may be happy with a few bob and sort the dent himself .


Good Luck
Joe

 

[Will]

If it were my car, I'd want it sorted out properly and returned to perfect, pre-accident condition.

Why didn't you ask him/her politely to move their car before trying to squeeze past? Perhaps they were unaware of the parking situation if they don't live there?

I'm sorry but it's possibly going to cost a fair bit more than £50. Quite possibly a few hundred if it needs a new door skin and painting.

Sorry to hear of this but please think how you would feel if the situation was reversed.

Will

 

[A210AMG]

Hello

If someone out of the local area parks there to drop off collect how do they know its illegal are there signs?

At the end of the day if the car should have been there or not hitting it is still an accident. If my car I would want it fixed professionally if you think the dint / scratch can be fixed for £50 then fair enough (I would think more myself)

Just a waiting game now I guess, he accepted the money so hopefully a gentlemans agreement will stand.

 

[bulldoze]

Some fair points here, and I have tried to see the other persons side (I always try to do this)

2 points though:

The condition of the car was not particularly good, so there was already scratches on the door. and it looked as though it had been a couple of years since it had seen any polish, so a new door would look quite odd I imagine.

Difficult to describe the cul-de-sac but it is quite clear that parking there is not allowed as it is more of a pavement for walking to the houses than a road.

I am an honest man so my initial offer stands, the £50 was just a estimate and I am of course prepared to go quite a bit higher; I am just trying to consider my options if he takes the p***!

 

[A210AMG]

Hello

As you say the car looked a little un loved, the owner may well just spend the money on a night out and leave the scare along with the other.

I wouldn't worry too much, you offered and he took hopefully thats the end of it..

 

[Pringles]

Firstly, you were decent enough to take responsibility for what happened. I had a similar situation 5 yrs ago when visiting family and had to do my own house to house enquiries and spent three months getting the cheating xxx to take responsibility. The minor damage on my Mercs door and front offside wing cost his insurer £1500-1600 in the end.

I would let him come back to you and if the cost goes up let the insurers sort it out as that is what they are paid for.