Need Advice, Just Had A Bump !

gamehungry · 27 Jan 2011 at 17:00

Hi all,

Really could do with some advice here, I've been an idot !

How to start, Ok basicly I was parked in a row of 8-12 Cars on the end behind a Van, all cars are on slight angle. I leave my car and come back to it 5 minutes later to leave and drive home, this is where it all went wrong. Before getting in the car as I had a large blind spot I checked to see if any cars were on the move, which one was, I clocked this going past just as I started reversing so I thought it was clear until I hear a bump ! Short and end of it she had stopped behind me and I didn't stop in time so clipped her rear left bumper knocking the clips it was attached with off ! Very slight dint/scratch on mine is all I noticed.

Now from what I could see the damage was very light in the sence it could be fixed easily, all that had appeared to have happened was that the retaining clips on the rear bumer had come out of place, I could be wrong but that seemed to be the case. I didnt notice any dents or paint trades but I didn't look closely.

Now here's the stupid part ! Just after it happened she asked for my details which I gave and which were my name, address, mobile number, insurer and reg, I didn't ask for hers, didn't even get her Reg ! Stupid I know ! After I gave her them she just drove not saying how she would like to go about the situation, there were plenty of other cars around but she didn't get any witness details ?

I am 22 and will have had my lisence for 2 years come March 2011, I currenty have or did at least 1 years no claims. This is my first 'accident' so I was/am a bit devastated about it and didn't know what the hell to do so there's my excuse in dealing with the situation.

So what do I do now ? Should I wait for her to ring me or my insurers to ring me to see what the deal is, she really didn't seem that interested and was in a rush but she seems the type to just let the insurers deal with it.

My excess is £450 and I renewed my insurance in September last year for £620 Fully Comp, it was a good price eh, not now I guess !

How much can I expect my insurance to go up by ?

Thanks in advance guys, good to get it off my chest !

Morba · 27 Jan 2011 at 17:04

did you take pics of damage, or anything at all?
did you speak to any witnesses and get any details?

sounds like shes just gonna go through insurance. you were walked all over, learn for next time

gamehungry · 27 Jan 2011 at 17:06

Morba said:
did you take pics of damage, or anything at all?
did you speak to any witnesses and get any details?

Nope, hence the title. I do hate myself a little right now.

Morba · 27 Jan 2011 at 17:08

well you can either sit and wait it out or contact your insurance company and let them know there was an incident but you have no details etc.

Mucky_Pup · 27 Jan 2011 at 17:08

Your excess doesn't matter if your car isn't damaged.

As for insurance going up if they make a claim, it's how long is a piece of string? really. I had a renewal for my bike insurance last year with an increase of 100% even through I never made a claim, and then had 1 years NCB, insurance companies are crooks. You premium will likely go up if they make a claim against you though.

gamehungry · 27 Jan 2011 at 17:18

Phew, no excess, that's good news at least, I didn't know that was the case.

I think I'm going to play the waiting game on the off chance she doesn't claim although I think that it is unlikely, she hasn't rang me yet.

Many thanks guys, you've lifted my mood a little.

Hey funny thing here, there's a similar car to the one I bumped parked on my street right now further up, I hope it isn't the 'one' ! Lol

Morba · 27 Jan 2011 at 17:21

go and have a look. she could be checking you gave correct details.

gamehungry · 27 Jan 2011 at 17:28

Just gets better, it is 'the' car ! She must live on the same street, been there a couple of hours now. Man O Man.

Mucky_Pup · 27 Jan 2011 at 17:30

gamehungry said:
Just gets better, it is 'the' car ! She must live on the same street, been there a couple of hours now. Man O Man.

I'd go round and ask if she wants you to pay to repair the damage, to try and avoid the insurance, if she gets a quote.

gamehungry · 27 Jan 2011 at 17:34

Mucky_Pup said:
I'd go round and ask if she wants you to pay to repair the damage, to try and avoid the insurance, if she gets a quote.

As pathetic as it sounds I'm scared though, what if she has already gone through her insurance ? Would have to do some door knocking too.

mattyfez · 27 Jan 2011 at 17:43

Seriously, go and ask her if you can pay for the damage personaly, if its just a busted bumper, it will be much cheaper for you in the long run than going through the insurance.

Gaygle · 27 Jan 2011 at 17:46

gamehungry said:
As pathetic as it sounds I'm scared though, what if she has already gone through her insurance ? Would have to do some door knocking too.

How scared? Scared enough to possibly lose NCB and guarantee yourself a higher insurance premium for the next 5 years?

aproctor · 27 Jan 2011 at 17:58

I hit 2 cars last January and i had only had my license 1 year.

I was dreading renewal a few months later, but it was 40% cheaper than the previous year.

Don't worry.

gamehungry · 27 Jan 2011 at 18:04

I am about to leave for work so I've sent a letter with my partner to find the house and person. I've asked if it's possible to pay for the damage and asked her to contact me tongiht tomorrow. I've probably been able to word it better this way anyway, I'm not a very good conversationlist !

Good move ?

mattyfez · 27 Jan 2011 at 18:07

aproctor said:
I hit 2 cars last January and i had only had my license 1 year.

I was dreading renewal a few months later, but it was 40% cheaper than the previous year.

Don't worry.

The only possible reason I can think of for that is if you passed 25yr old and dropped down a rung based on age/risk. You simply cannot have 2 fault claims as a new driver and get a 40% reduction unless some kind of fraud is involved!?

mattyfez · 27 Jan 2011 at 18:16

gamehungry said:
I am about to leave for work so I've sent a letter with my partner to find the house and person. I've asked if it's possible to pay for the damage and asked her to contact me tongiht tomorrow. I've probably been able to word it better this way anyway, I'm not a very good conversationlist !

Good move ?

If she lived down the road, you would be far better off having a sensible chat about it. Personally, if it was me, i would be happier getting a quote and having you pay for it, seeing as it's pretty minor. Less hastle for all involved that way.

If I got a letter through my door, and if I had already filed a claim, I would be a bit suspicious.

mattyfez · 27 Jan 2011 at 18:19

gamehungry said:
I am about to leave for work so I've sent a letter with my partner to find the house and person. I've asked if it's possible to pay for the damage and asked her to contact me tongiht tomorrow. I've probably been able to word it better this way anyway, I'm not a very good conversationlist !

Good move ?

If she lived down the road, you would be far better off having a sensible chat about it. Personally, if it was me, i would be happier getting a quote and having you pay for it, seeing as it's pretty minor. Less hastle for all involved that way.

I would go speak to her, and calm down! It's a scratch and some broken clips...

WrathOfAchilles · 27 Jan 2011 at 19:43

Edit: stalked her car, lucky. Go spk to her

Dogbreath · 28 Jan 2011 at 09:31

mattyfez said:
If she lived down the road, you would be far better off having a sensible chat about it. Personally, if it was me, i would be happier getting a quote and having you pay for it, seeing as it's pretty minor. Less hastle for all involved that way.

If I got a letter through my door, and if I had already filed a claim, I would be a bit suspicious.

Exactly, it's only a broken bumper so no need for either party to get arsey. Just apologise, explain the situation and ask her to get a quote.

Morba · 28 Jan 2011 at 10:00

Wow, just go around!