Motoring 'incident'

oldbag · 30 Nov 2013 at 14:01

Quick, to the internetz!!!

I reversed into a space and was accused of 'touching' the car in front (facing me) by who I thought was the passenger. I'm pretty certain I didn't touch their car and said so at the time. Both parties looked at each other's car, saw no damage, the passenger got back into their car and as I walked past started writing, I'm guessing my number plate. Oddly they didn't ask me for any address or insurance details.

When I got back to my car they had gone.

I assume with my plate they can make a claim through insurance?

Destination · 30 Nov 2013 at 14:02

Car park, no damage, if they accuse you of anything, inform the police they are attempting to commit insurance fraud.

oldbag · 30 Nov 2013 at 14:03

Hikari Kisugi said:
Car park, no damage, if they accuse you of anything, inform the police they are attempting to commit insurance fraud.

If it wasn't a car park, but the street, does that make any difference?

Destination · 30 Nov 2013 at 14:07

If there was no damage to either vehicle and they now attempt to suggest that there was damage, then it is fraud plain and simple.

tamzzy · 30 Nov 2013 at 14:09

should have taken a pic of the supposed "damage"

Cosimo · 30 Nov 2013 at 14:11

Hikari Kisugi said:
Car park, no damage, if they accuse you of anything, inform the police they are attempting to commit insurance fraud.

Take a date/time stamped picture of your car to show no damage.

oldbag · 30 Nov 2013 at 14:11

tamzzy said:
should have taken a pic of the supposed "damage"

Indeed, I was stupid not to.

Hades · 30 Nov 2013 at 14:54

Yes they can attempt an insurance claim with your number. It costs £4 to find the insurance company and their contact details (I have recently done this myself). However with no damage to either car there is not likely to be a successful claim.

oldbag · 30 Nov 2013 at 14:58

Seems odd that they didn't directly ask for my insurance details at the time. So it would be weird to go down that route. To me that says they thought that there was no damage at the time but then later decide that there is.

MooMoo444 · 30 Nov 2013 at 16:48

maybe they will try to damage their own car and are looking for a quick payout scam

Destination · 30 Nov 2013 at 17:01

MooMoo444 said:
maybe they will try to damage their own car and are looking for a quick payout scam

This might be the concern.
It might also just be a case of grumpy old passenger talking BS and making himself feel important by writing down stuff.

Burnsy2023 · 30 Nov 2013 at 17:09

Hikari Kisugi said:
Car park, no damage, if they accuse you of anything, inform the police they are attempting to commit insurance fraud.

Whilst I agree there's nothing to claim for, don't bother phoning the Police about it. It's a waste of everyone's time.

£15 · 1 Dec 2013 at 04:57

I probably wouldn't tell my insurance company either. (Although some people might say you should and they might be right.) As they'll log it as a (possible) claim, even if none is forthcoming.

It's one of those tricky situations where you wish you'd behaved differently, e.g. taken pictures. We've all been there. Anyway, I'm sure there's nothing to worry about.

If anything does happen, then just state the facts: Slow speed impact; Both cars were inspected and no damage found; No personal injuries; Details not exchanged.

Destination · 1 Dec 2013 at 07:30

Burnsy2023 said:
Whilst I agree there's nothing to claim for, don't bother phoning the Police about it. It's a waste of everyone's time.

What?
Don't phone the police LATER? If they claim for damage that didn't happen, i do not mean now, I mean later Bursney, if they change stories and claim damage was called. That's fraud, that surely is a police matter?

Burnsy2023 · 1 Dec 2013 at 10:28

Hikari Kisugi said:
That's fraud, that surely is a police matter?

Speaking pragmatically, that is never going to go anywhere. It's a difficult offence to prove and there is never going to be enough evidence to get a prosecution. Let the insurance companies deal with it.

oldbag · 1 Dec 2013 at 12:40

BadMojo said:
I probably wouldn't tell my insurance company either. (Although some people might say you should and they might be right.) As they'll log it as a (possible) claim, even if none is forthcoming.

It's one of those tricky situations where you wish you'd behaved differently, e.g. taken pictures. We've all been there. Anyway, I'm sure there's nothing to worry about.

If anything does happen, then just state the facts: Slow speed impact; Both cars were inspected and no damage found; No personal injuries; Details not exchanged.

It was interesting that after it happened I went shopping and left the car there. When i came back, they had left and there was no note for me asking to call for insurance details which would be the easier option if they wanted to pursue it.

Cybergangster · 5 Dec 2013 at 04:20

This happened with my neighbour across the road in London. They accused me of backing into their car. I told them nonsense and to show me the damage. Nothing came of it.

But it wasn't helped when a month later our next door neighbour hit their passenger door reversing out of his drive and didn't leave a note. I happened to be walking home from work that evening when I noticed frantic activity around my car. They were taking plate and registration details. All fingers pointing at me when I asked what was going on. Then the next door neighbour sheepishly steps out his front door to admit what he'd done.

I never did get an apology from those neighbours across the road...

eatcustard · 5 Dec 2013 at 09:34

OP you must inform police, as the other party may go to them with your reg and say you refused to give details.

Better safe then sorry.

Also the other party will suddenly have 4 people with whiplash claims