Had an impatient douche moment, and paid the price

leaskovski · 12 Dec 2016 at 11:51

So, I was sitting in a queue of traffic for about 20 minutes, and saw someone in front, queue jump on the other side of the road to take a side road to get them off the road and on with their journey. I was going to take that road anyway, so thought I would try the same thing (but from 5 cars back), so had to jump about 10 cars. Needless to say, luck wasn't with me and a car came tearing round a corner ahead and wasn't able to break in time.

End result,

A polo with some paint damage (no obvious dents)
A BMW with a very dented bumper and it looks like the light cluster has been pushed back a couple of mm. No smashed lights, all working ok.
Both cars drive-able.

Being a BMW driver, I didn't admit fault, and the kid driving the other car was really apologetic (lol). I expect his insurance is really pricey as he is very young, so I am wondering if he is going to not really want to claim as it will have a big impact on his insurance. I'm ok if he doesn't want the claim, however when I look at the cost of getting my car repaired, it might cost over a grand, and in that case I might as well just do a claim. If I claim on my insurance, are they going to want to know why their is blue paint on my car? Do I just flat out lie and say I didn't hit any other car?

Kingdom34 · 12 Dec 2016 at 11:54

Man up....youve been a "douche" as you put it...too many people think this is acceptable these days...its not!

tom_e · 12 Dec 2016 at 11:56

Are you really asking whether it's ok to defraud your insurance company?

Suck it up buttercup, pay for it out of your own pocket and be thankful it wasn't a biker you steamrollered.

Armageus · 12 Dec 2016 at 11:57

Surely the insurance isn't going to look favourably at you driving down the wrong side of the road?

Kuros · 12 Dec 2016 at 11:57

If you're making a claim, may as well include the other guy anyway. Saves any future hassle of him claiming further down the line and wouldn't really cost you any more.

Just be glad it wasn't an off duty copper or anything, driving on the wrong side of the road is an easy way to points + fine.

leaskovski · 12 Dec 2016 at 11:58

I know Ive been a douche. There was a lot of choice words I said to myself after the incident.

I am just trying to decent thing for the kid. If his insurance is going to sky rocket because of a claim (which he will probably be cleared of any wrong doing) just for some paint work, whats the point. He might as well not claim and his insurance have no idea that this ever happened and keep his premium low. I can take the hit, its just if the cost to repair is in the thousands, I might as well get my insurance company to pay for it. Its just what do I say to the insurance firm?

mrk · 12 Dec 2016 at 11:59

You should cut the young kid some slack instead of lolling at his inexperience in such a situation especially when you were in the wrong!

Get a new (used) bumper, align the light cluster and pay for his paint repair. Seems fairly straight forward.

wedrum · 12 Dec 2016 at 12:02

Armageus said:
Surely the insurance isn't going to look favourably at you driving down the wrong side of the road?

this.

OP you should get yourself down to the police station and explain what you have done.

leaskovski · 12 Dec 2016 at 12:03

wedrum said:
this.

OP you should get yourself down to the police station and explain what you have done.

Ok, will do.

geekman · 12 Dec 2016 at 12:11

If you lie to your insurance and say you came back to your car and it had been damaged by an unknown person, that'll still technically be a fault claim so you'll lose out just the same as if you told the truth.

Best thing to do it to look on ebay at the cost of replacement parts, then get a quote to get them painted. Depending on that, you can either go through insurance or not, assuming you're sure he isn't bothered either way.

Ryan-3 · 12 Dec 2016 at 12:12

mrk said:
You should cut the young kid some slack instead of lolling at his inexperience in such a situation especially when you were in the wrong!

Get a new (used) bumper, align the light cluster and pay for his paint repair. Seems fairly straight forward.

This, since the reason this all happened was due to your impatience. Saves the lad from having his insurance go up and keeps it from being a fault claim on your insurance.

mrk · 12 Dec 2016 at 12:14

Yup, take it as a learning experience. Everyone makes mistakes from time to time, you just have to make things right afterwards.

Skillmister · 12 Dec 2016 at 12:16

leaskovski said:
Do I just flat out lie and say I didn't hit any other car?

Screenshotting this to send to all UK insurance companies in case OP deletes thread

Kanpai · 12 Dec 2016 at 12:17

Get a faster BMW

cheesyboy · 12 Dec 2016 at 12:21

Did the other guy come out of a side road?

Glanza · 12 Dec 2016 at 12:22

cheesyboy said:
Did the other guy come out of a side road?

Doesn't sound like it, young lad was coming along the road not expecting to be met by someone on their side of the road on a bend.

Semple · 12 Dec 2016 at 12:31

Sounds like you're in a bit of a sticky situation there.

Either you pay out of your own money, but by the sounds of things that might run up a large bill, or you claim from your insurance which may involve the other driver and hike his costs at no fault of his own.

Si105 · 12 Dec 2016 at 12:34

Not admitting fault is way past douchedom. I hope you're going to pay for the kids repair.

MooMoo444 · 12 Dec 2016 at 12:37

Is this a troll topic?

You're seriously asking if we can support you lying and taking advantage of some young and inexperienced driver, when you are 100% at fault?

LiE · 12 Dec 2016 at 12:49

You drove on the other side of road in a 10 car overtake and hit another car, and didn't put your hands up and admit fault? ****. The guy should have his car repaired by claiming on your insurance.