Should I claim on their insurance?

[Halifaxmum]

Hi all

My car was legally parked at the side of a road this morning. A car (whose owner lives on the street next to it) reversed into my car, leaving a small dent, a crack in the rear bumper and quite a few blue paint marks on my green car. A neighbour witnessed the bump and the driver simply drove off.

My car is an old banger - she's an R reg Micra - I've had her for 3 1/2 years, bought her for £750 and she's never had a thing wrong with her!

If I do claim on the blue car's insurance, I'm worried she will be written off, as the work needed would most likely be more than her worth. So, should I claim? She is perfectly driveable, but I'm blooming annoyed that someone can do this and get away with it. I don't want to have her written off and only get £100 insurance pay-out (which is probably all she's worth) as I couldn't replace her for that.

Any answers would be great! TIA x

[Nosha123]

I think you could confront the people who did it and say you have an independent witness that they caused the damage and drove off. Also say you have their car paint on your car to prove it and would they prefer to put it through their insurance (and have a 'fault' claim) on their file.. or would they like to offer you a deal and get the repair done without the need for insurance. There are a few companies that could do the repair without the need for a garage. Google a franchise company called Chips Away...

[Toureman]

You should inform your Ins company about the incident givng them all details and witness statements.

If your ins company decides to write off your car they should give you what it's worth, probably not much but you can buy the car, your car, from them for a nominal sum.

The residue of what they give you should pay for your car to be repaired a lot cheaper than the ins company would have to pay for the repairs.

It could be worth trying what Nosha has suggested though.

[Halifaxmum]

Thank you both :)

[JonnyBoy12]

Yes, you are right. She would be an insurance write off. If you want to keep that car shop around and get her repaired privately. I know people get attacked to cars and it is better the devil you know than the devil you don't.

[Purple_Popple]

Definitely get a repair quote first and then go from there...echoing what Nosha said you need to confront the owner of the other vehicle and Im sure they will more than likely cough up for the repair..good luck !

[Kayless]

never tell your insurance company, they will increase your premiums.

[cathfromsaron]

i wouldn't claim, but for a different reason! it would be quieter and more civilised to sort out locally! BUT if they drove off, you may need to call the police and then you will have to inform the insurance! BUT you still don't need to right the car off anyway! x

[boxtops]

My old Micra was a J reg when it was vandalised beyond repair 3 years ago, the insurance paid up £500 for it. You might get more than you think, if they write it off. I too was gutted - it was 15 years old but I'd had it from new and it had a lot of life left in it, before the joyriders got to it.

Find out how much the repairs cost - you've got witnesses, up to you if you want to take it further. If you have blue marks, they probably have green ones, go round and take a photo!

[Andyvon]

If you do go to see the driver who allegedly hit your car Halifaxmum, it might be a good idea to be accompanied by the neighbour who witnessed the incident. Otherwise they might easily deny hitting your car and it would then be their word against what you say your neighbour saw.

If you go through the insurance your car would almost certainly be written off. If it's cheap and reliable and you don't want to lose it then the best solution might be to come to an arrangement with the person who caused the damage. As Kayless says, avoid bothering the insurance company if you possibly can.

Good luck.

[Hopkirk]

I was once given a cheque from an insurance company in lieu of repairs, as it was an old banger like yours.

[welshlibranr]

would claim anyway!....you could then maybe buy her back and get the repair done out of your pay out!.........

[Andyvon]

What do you term 'old banger' Hopkirk? The MoT test was tightened up years ago to get badly maintained cars off the road and any car passing a modern MoT must be in very good condition. My car is 27 years old with more than 250,000 miles on the clock yet it's been completely rebuilt. I have people knocking on my door wanting to photograph it and others offering to buy it.

If Halifaxmum has a car that is solid, reliable and nevver lets her down, why is that termed 'old banger'? Is a 1965 Aston Martin or 1953 MG an 'old banger'? I'm never sure why people use the term. Perhaps because we aren't foolish enough to throw money away on these modern characterless Eurolumps that cost a fortune to even service.

[boxtops]

My Nissan ^^ was older than Halifaxmum's, and I'd be insulted if someone had called mine a banger.

[Hopkirk]

My 'old banger' was a pefectly legal MOT'd Peugeot 309, worth a few hundred quid.

[joko]

i would go round there with a camera and get a shot of the damage on their car too quick, in case they fix it...just for evidence

[Wak]

I had a car damaged years ago which was going to be written off by the insurers because the cost of new parts was prohibitive.
As the car was basically solid, the garage offered to repair it with second hand parts from the scrap yard and repaint to suit.
The insurers agreed and I got my car back which lasted quite a few years until it was replaced.

[Halifaxmum]

Thank you all for your helpful answers!

Sorry I haven't been on to respond, flaming Sky Broadband's not worked since Wed :(