Wife just got rear-ended - options?

[Londonscottish]

Hi all,

My wife just got rear-ended in the S211 on her way out of town. I jumped in her car to go and have a look.

The bumper metal inner section has been damaged (pushed in), the bumper cover mountings have been popped off on the nearside and the hatch has been dented. Lights and wings are OK. Didn't have time to check the parking sensors.

My guess at this stage is that it will need a new bumper inner and cover. The hatch looks repairable. No idea if there is any damage to the boot floor. If no damage to the boot floor I'd guess that lot would cost £750-£1000 depending on parts.

The fella driving the other car sound legit and seems to be insured (the car is, at least as I called 112 to check) but is keen to sort some repairs privately and avoid insurance.

I don't mind saving him a few bob (and myself, maybe if this loads my insurance) but would want it done at my chosen place and will take it in on Friday.

What would you do/what have you done in the same situation. (and if you go private how do you make sure the other guy actually pays?)

 

[John Jones Jr]

Settle on a price after you get b/shop quote. Get over payment cleared (your call on the exact figure) from 3rd party and get car repaired.

 

[Londonscottish]

Settle on price after you get b/shop quote. Get over payment cleared (your call on the exact figure) from 3rd party and get car repaired.

Thanks - makes sense.

 

[m2287]

I would go through insurance... Too many "what if's"

 

[Kris-H]

You can deal with this privately and not go through insurance, but will have little comeback down the road if things don't go well, or there is a problem with repairs, further damage comes to light etc.

Even though the accident was not your wife's fault, under the terms of your own insurance policy you still need to let them know about the accident, even if you are not making a claim, and this may well still increase your premium at the renewal time.

In terms of paying for repairs, generally, if you do things privately, you'll have to pay out for the repairs first and then reclaim the cost from him, unless you can persuade him to pay the garage directly, but then be prepared for the garage not being willing to release your car until they have been paid / cheque has cleared etc.

The problems can occur if the total comes to more than he expects and he then refuses to cough up, or he doesn't agree with your choice of garage. You're then left out of pocket until it gets resolved....or possibly permanently out of pocket if it turns out he doesn't have the cash.

As the accident isn't your fault, you may as well use the comprehensive service that you are paying your insurance for...it should be a far simpler and easier process.

 

[Londonscottish]

It's not her day. She's just had a blowout in the outside lane of the M40 with two kids in the back. Managed to get off and down a slip road. Off duty copper has just stuck the space saver on and she's coming back.

It's been a busy week. The house was struck bu lightning yesterday - various fried electrics to sort out....alarm system, lighting circuit, surround sound amp, possibly the printer too...

 

[brucemillar]

Hmmmm

You live in London. That seems too close to me for comfort. I am moving house to France now.

Glad everybody is OK.

 

[Londonscottish]

Hmmmm

You live in London. That seems too close to me for comfort. I am moving house to France now.

Glad everybody is OK.

Thanks.

BTW I have also been in a filling station in France that was hit by lightning. And in a plane coming into land in Germany that was also hit.

You have been warned.

 

[Mike Walker]

Memo to self:-
Keep well away from anyone called London Scottish!

 

[Rory]

What would you do/what have you done in the same situation.

When someone ran into the back of my wife's Honda Jazz and punched a hole in the rear bumper I claimed on our insurance and let them sort it out. To my mind that's what I have fully comp insurance for. They did try and presuade me to take it to their repairer but as it was someone else's fault I insisted on it going to the franchise dealer.

The other driver (also a woman) called us and started saying things like her brother knew someone who could sort it out for £30 etc. I think most people have no idea how much repairs cost these days, especially if they involve paint (as it happens ours didn't - the bumper came ready painted from the factory).

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Most disappointing thread title when opened goes to...

 

[w124nut]

Most disappointing thread title when opened goes to...

;O)

 

[John]

Most disappointing thread title when opened goes to...

Post #11 is not bad for the first smut of the thread.

I had bet on it by post #5.

 

[Londonscottish]

OK; enough smut.

The body shop has had a look - it's worse than I though. As Mr BMW man was accelerating at the time the impact has affected not just the bumper but the hatch and back panel too (the back panel is the bit behind the bumper but ahead of the boot floor). So a laundry list of new parts and many hours of labour.

So, far too expensive for a private deal. Therefore it has to go through insurance.

I've kicked off the process with the insurers.

Meanwhile has anyone got an accurate way to work out the value of my car in they eyes of the insurance company?