Would you get let a relative pay for hitting your car?

Dr House · 3 Jun 2011 at 17:50

My wife went to visit her cousin and his wife accidently reversed into her car. I spoke to M-Style and its going to cost around 1100 quid to get a new bumper including painting, fitting and wrapping.

They have offered to pay but its a lot of money and I don't think I can accept it, at the same time we cant afford to fix it now because we are just about to start building our house.

numatic.nathan · 3 Jun 2011 at 17:51

It's one of those things sadly, at £1,100 I'd have to let them pay, not exactly toy money..

BinnsY · 3 Jun 2011 at 17:51

Why not take it through there insurance companies? I imagine the increased premiums + excess would be less than £1100, you still get your repair and they take less of a hit.

Raymond Lin · 3 Jun 2011 at 17:54

Why would you need paint if you get a new bumper?

Dr House · 3 Jun 2011 at 17:54

We are all quite young so I think putting a claim though is going to cost them more in the long run, I don't think we will take the money but my wife is just going to have to drive around like this for some time.

Only think is I know my wife will not feel the same about the car and will start wanting a new one

Gaygle · 3 Jun 2011 at 17:55

Can you not just have the dent removed and then just have the bumper resprayed?

GingerNinja1989 · 3 Jun 2011 at 17:56

Dr House said:
We are all quite young so I think putting a claim though is going to cost them more in the long run, I don't think we will take the money but my wife is just going to have to drive around like this for some time.

Only think is I know my wife will not feel the same about the car and will start wanting a new one

She's just seeing it as an opportunity for an upgrade

Gaygle · 3 Jun 2011 at 17:56

Raymond Lin said:
Why would you need paint if you get a new bumper?

Because I assume he wants his rear bumper to be the same colour as the rest of his car?

Dr House · 3 Jun 2011 at 17:56

Raymond Lin said:
Why would you need paint if you get a new bumper?

New one will not come painted, but I will ask bmw if they sell them painted.

Gaygle said:
Can you not just have the dent removed and then just have the bumper resprayed?

Its plastic I dont think you can really remove such a bid dent, also its quite a nice car and I would rather spend the extra 500 quid to get it done properly.

Howard · 3 Jun 2011 at 17:57

Raymond Lin said:
Why would you need paint if you get a new bumper?

Lol.. They don't come painted

Dr House · 3 Jun 2011 at 17:58

GingerNinja1989 said:
She's just seeing it as an opportunity for an upgrade

I know, she has been dropping hints about a the new E350, there is no bloody way, and if she is going to get a upgrade its going to be a M3 not a E-Class

Raymond Lin · 3 Jun 2011 at 17:59

Howard said:
Lol.. They don't come painted

They should

daveydave · 3 Jun 2011 at 17:59

Is the bumper wrapped? If so I guess you could skip the painting.

Either way I'd let them pay.

Gaygle · 3 Jun 2011 at 17:59

Dr House said:
Its plastic I dont think you can really remove such a bid dent, also its quite a nice car and I would rather spend the extra 500 quid to get it done properly.

If you find a good dent removal guy they cab make dents like this totally disappear, especially if they don't have to worry about cracking the paint (because you'll be getting it aprayed afterward anyway)

[TW]Fox · 3 Jun 2011 at 18:00

daveydave said:
Is the bumper wrapped? If so I guess you could skip the painting.

So what happens when the wrap comes off to sell the car :confused:

Icm76 · 3 Jun 2011 at 18:00

Dr House said:
my wife is just going to have to drive around like this for some time.

Not sure if that's such a good idea, usually the advice is these things are designed to collapse on impact - so once it's been hit it should be replaced. I'd lean towards getting it replaced at relatives expense, but it's a lot of money so can you find a cheaper quote for the repair?

tom_e · 3 Jun 2011 at 18:00

If I knew they could afford it I'd have no issue accepting the money but if I knew it would put them in a tight spot I'd decline and live with it till I could sort it.

daveydave · 3 Jun 2011 at 18:02

[TW]Fox;19289229 said:
So what happens when the wrap comes off to sell the car

One of two things. He tells the prospective buyer or he gets it sprayed when money isn't tight.

However as I said, I'd just get them to pay for it to be done properly and be done with it.

woodpigeon4 · 3 Jun 2011 at 18:02

I really would just put it through insurance, I can't believe the premium increase would be anywhere near £1100 even for both of you combined.

Participant · 3 Jun 2011 at 18:03

Raymond Lin said:
They should

No they shouldn't. Think about it.

Op - if they were half decent they'd insist on sorting it out themselves anyway.