Someone hit me from the back , tail light misaligned.

[c250blu]

Hi,

Someone went into the back of me when I was in stationary traffic a few days ago. After washing the car today I noticed that the rear tail light has unclipped itselt from the bumber as the tabs are visible. Is this a easy fix or do I have to take into the dealers to get it repaired? I took the person insurance details just in case because at the time of the impact the damage wasn't visible as we stood close to the car as we were in the middle of the road holding up traffic.

Any solutions welcome.

Thanks

 

[jotter22]

No paint blemish? Take no prisoners your in the right!

Tony.

 

[c250blu]

No paint blemish? Take no prisoners your in the right!

Tony.

Hi Tony,

There is also slight paint damage on the rear bumber, with a 2 cm long scratch. i best ring the guys insurance company tomorrow. I tried ringing them today but they were closed.

 

[c250blu]

just checked my insurance document, i've run out of time to put in a claim, I had 48 hrs, it's been 5 days I didn't notice the scratch and the slight damage to the tail light until I had the car cleaned today. Any ideas how I could repair this myself, the scratch I'm not too worried about but i'd like to get the light sorted.

 

[Little Lofty]

Claim on the third parties insurance if it wasn't your fault. No need to claim on your own policy.

 

[c250blu]

i will try that tomorrow, but im worried that the third party insurer will ask me to contact my insurer and at which point they will ask me why i left it so late. .

 

[st13phil]

Don't panic. The damage wasn't visible until you cleaned your car. The 48hr "limit" is irrelevant.

 

[Bonecho]

Just remember that your insurance premiums will go up because you have told them about the non fault accident even if you don't claim. You will also have to declare it for the next 4 years which could affect future premiums. Might be worth checking first whether in the long run it is cheaper for you to pay to have it fixed when you also factor in your excess.

Just go to a comparison site and put in fake details for no accident and a non fault accident to see how much extra you will pay.

 

[crockers]

Why not get a quote to fix and contact the driver of the offending car. They might just pay up. My wife's car was hit and the driver refused to say anything other than give his insurance details. When I got the estimate I sent it to him and asked would he like to pay or should we go through insurance companies. As it was less than his excess he sent me s cheque.

 

[c250blu]

thanks for the heads up guys, the offernder is ignoring me ( ****) so I have no choice other then to contact his insurer. What makes it even more difficult is that he can't even speak english .

 

[neilrr]

A 48 hour limit on submitting a claim is a new one on me.

What if you are on your hols for 2 or 3 weeks & your car is damaged / burns / is nicked & you are unaware until your return?

Are you just SOL?

 

[Dec]

Tail lights are usually fixes with nuts and bolts from the inside and tightened up on to a gasket as illustrated in the example picture below. Yours may have may have slipped out of alignment on impact.

You could try undoing the nuts a couple/few turns to see if you can successfully realign the light lens and tighten up the nuts again.
Over tightening the nuts will smash the plastic lens so be very careful if you try this.

Dec

 

[John]

Don't panic. The damage wasn't visible until you cleaned your car. The 48hr "limit" is irrelevant.

You have up to 6 years to claim...

I was advised this once (by the insurance company) when I was involved in a non-fault prang 10 years ago.

48 hour limit is probably like a one year warranty on a £600 washing machine - irrelevant...

 

[nick mercedes]

I'd realign the bumper and forget about it, with no witnesses you may struggle and as others have said this could increase your premiums.

 

[c250blu]

Tail lights are usually fixes with nuts and bolts from the inside and tightened up on to a gasket as illustrated in the example picture below. Yours may have may have slipped out of alignment on impact.

You could try undoing the nuts a couple/few turns to see if you can successfully realign the light lens and tighten up the nuts again.
Over tightening the nuts will smash the plastic lens so be very careful if you try this.

Dec

thanks for your post mate, I will give this ago.

 

[c250blu]

I'd realign the bumper and forget about it, with no witnesses you may struggle and as others have said this could increase your premiums.

So Novice question this, but How can I realign the bumper?

 

[nick mercedes]

So Novice question this, but How can I realign the bumper?

Grab hold of it and pull it about a bit.