Damage To My Car

[Gusta]

Hope someone can help............. Four weeks ago a colleague ran into the back of my car and damaged my rear bumper. (she said her car cut out!)..... She appeared sorry at the time and said she will pay for the damages. She didn't want it to go through her insurance so I agreed that it was up to her how she got the damage repaired. Rather stupidly I believed she would rectify the damage but she has made no steps to offer any payment - in fact, she has turned quite snappy towards me when I gently reminded her. I have got a bill from a garage (not from the Renault dealer as yet again I am thinking of her costs!! and I will send it to her recorded delivery.......Can I take her to a small claims court or, because I didn't insist on going through her insurance in the first place have I ruined my chance of getting my money back............ I honestly thought she was a genuine person (a while ago her dog viciously attacked my dog and the vet fee was quite high and she never even asked how he is let alone offer to make a contribution - nothing to do with my car damage but to let you know what I am up against)............. what sort of accompanying letter would be best to send with the bill ............... any help will be very much appreciated :)

[ummmm]

Has she actually seen the bill? Have you told her how much she owes?

[Purple_Popple]

I'm surprised knowing what you do about her already - re the dog incident, that you simply didn't report it to your car insurers. If I were you I would try and report the incident now, regardless of the time that has now lapsed. You have a long battle ahead of you either way. Lesson learned.

[EDDIE51]

Report it to your insurance, you can not go direct to her insurance. Your insurance will reclaim the cost from her insurers. Just tell them the reason for the delay is that she accepted respocibility and asked to pay herself, but has failed to do so.

[New Judge]

Yes, Eddie's advice is sound.

You should have reported this incident to your insurers as soon as it occurred (it is a condition of almost all policies) regardless of her promise to pay. However I cannot seen see them cutting up rough about it as it is a minor incident and unlikely to cost them any money.

Report it to them, let them sort it out with the Third Party (or her insurers as they think fit). There is no room for sentiment when it comes to this sort of thing. I was stung like this many years ago. A "friend" caused some damage to my car, promised to pay as he "did not want to lose his No Claims Discount", eventually failed to do so by which time I had left it too late to deal with it via my own insurers. Once bitten, as they say....

[Gusta]

Thank you all for your valid advice. I have contacted my insurance and they are now sorting it out - not only will they get my bumper repaired but they will also get me a hire car............ it is such a shame when you just can't help anyone but like someone said "once bitten etc"........ the sad thing about it is she only paid £100 for her car and I did feel sorry for her as mine is worth £xx,000..... now she is getting a bit nasty but I can ignore this bit!! .....lesson learn't