Some idiots' hit my car.

[janner]

Some woman hit the rear quarter panel on my parked car this morning.
Thankfully she left a note with her phone number.
The damage is not much - a dent and scrape.
What happens now? I've phoned the number and got an answerphone.
I'll get a quick ballpark quote this afternoon. (my guess is a few hundred)
Do I need to inform my insurance company, her insurance company, both or let her sort it. She sounds like an old lady so she probably won't know either.

 

[Thmsshaun]

Nice she is decent enough to leave you a note.

I would

Get the quote as you are.
Try and call again when you get hold of her give her the chance to sort it. If not then take it to the insurance.

I personally would not start involving insurance companies unless you have to.

 

[kikkthecat]

I had mine done 2 weeks ago, probably not as bad but I do know how you feel. At least you got a note.

My advice would be to leave the insurance company out of it if you possibly can. That said as she left a note then she also admitted liability so if it does go to insurance it should be her company paying and shouldn't affect your no claims bonus.

 

[imadoofus]

So mine'll be next then...

I agree with Shaun and Ray. Keep trying the number she left. If you don't get a reply by, say middle of next week, call your insurance company. As Ray said; she's admitted liability, but at this point you don't know if her name or her phone number are genuine.

If you decide to get it fixed without using anyone's insurance, then the fact that you told your insurers will be irrelevant. They'll close the file on it.

If, however, you do want to make a claim, then not having told them about it for a couple of weeks will give them reason to refuse to pay out.

PJ

 

[Kinky]

And keep the note she left.

Also keep a note of all the dates and times that you phoned her, and what was said and/or agreed on each call.

And if it was the answerphone, note that and also note the message you left her.

K

 

[Flash]

Hope it works out for u mate... sorry to hear the bad news...

 

[glojo]

She seems like an honest person, but only you can make this decision. If you allow her to pay for the repair, then my advice would be to get her involved as soon as possible.

Get the quote from the repairer of your choice, then seek her approval. Once this is obtained have her talk to the repair shop and get her to authorise the repair. I say this because otherwise you will be responsible for the bill. Don't forget most repair shops will not release the car until the bill is paid.

Good luck with the repair,
John

 

[Shude]

She seems like an honest person, but only you can make this decision. If you allow her to pay for the repair, then my advice would be to get her involved as soon as possible.

Get the quote from the repairer of your choice, then seek her approval. Once this is obtained have her talk to the repair shop and get her to authorise the repair. I say this because otherwise you will be responsible for the bill. Don't forget most repair shops will not release the car until the bill is paid.

You can also deal with her insurance company directly, which we almost did when a lady drove into my father's car and took AGES to sort out her affairs. It took about 6 months to get the car fixed (was only a minor-looking dent but actually required a completely new bumper).

You don't have to go through your own insurance company (who typically want your excess before they will do anything). Just remember that although you are legally obliged to inform your insurance company of any changes to your status I'd not want to give them an excuse to bump up your premium so IMHO keep quiet - it's none of their business in this case.

Good luck!