Small crash - Big consequences :(

[lizzylemon]

Thanks not to just Rach - thanks to you all for lending a virtual shoulder to lean on, an ear to bend and lots of sound advice.

Will let you know what the out-come is.

Take care all. XXX

[jojo2910]

One thing to bear in mind is that if you don't go through an insurance company, the bloke in question may start finding fault with the repair work and start asking you to do more work to 'put correct' the initial damage and this could go on for a long tme.

Someone I knew in a similar position had this just happen to her and she was 'fixing' the car for a long time after.

[Mac]

This sounds really dodgey not only in the respect of the guy just coming up with the £500 figure - handy that it's so nice and neat a figure. My worry is also that the police were happy to hand out someones personal details to a guy who just pitches up with a number plate! What's that all about!!??

[lizzylemon]

This sounds really dodgey not only in the respect of the guy just coming up with the £500 figure - handy that it's so nice and neat a figure. My worry is also that the police were happy to hand out someones personal details to a guy who just pitches up with a number plate! What's that all about!!??

A bit worrying isn't it. The only good thing is they didn't roll up at my bosses house and start being all official with him. Probably wouldn't have had a job by the end of the week

[lizzylemon]

So it's in the hands of the insurance company and we just have to sit back and let them take care of it.

For whatever reason, he decided to go to them and so we have to go with it too. Obviously I'm not contesting it - I wouldn't have left my contact details otherwise but I will be sending a letter to our insurance company highlighting my concern about the amount of damage he's claiming for. I think it's the fairest thing to do.

[frias]

Having been on the receiving end of 'knocks' to my car I know repairs don't come cheap. Early last year my OH's car was parked in a private car park when someone reversed into the car. They were honest enough to come and tell us and decided to go through their insurance. They had no damage to their car either but our car had £1400 worth of damage and as the car was old it was written off. We had owned the car from new so would have much prefered the car had been repaired but the insurance refused to pay out the full cost. This didn't seem fair as we were left without full compensation through no fault of our own.
Last summer I was in my car, waiting to turn right into a side road when a car hit me from behind. Again the bloke driving had no damage to his car other than a scratch on his bumper but my car had a slight dent in the boot. His insurance took care of the repairs but as they also had to supply a hire car for me whilst my car was in the garage I imagine the cost would have exceeded £500.
It's not that I don't feel for you LL but I don't think £500 is a lot in the world of car repairs.