What to do? Hit and run in car park...

Steedie

Steedie

Steedie

Man of Honour
Joined
29 Jun 2004
Posts
21,638
Location
Oxfordshire
Hey guys,

Was out earlier, sat waiting for someone when I heard a loud crunch. Turned around and saw a car had reversed in to mine, no idea how, and was about to drive off. Then I saw someone who she was with get out of their car, check my car, pick up a bit off hers then they both drove off before I could get to the scene

Luckily for me, that someone who got out their car to check was the guy who runs a business from the gym I train at. Also I was fortunate where a couple had watched it all and got photos of the offending car and him checking damage and gave me their details in case I needed to use them as a witness.

So I text the guy and he initially pleads ignorance, so I tell him about the photos and me watching and he confesses but says he couldn't see any damage, that's why he drove off. He put me in touch with the girl who has asked to pay money instead of going through insurance. She's really nice and admits everything but for now she probably thinks it's going to be £100 or something.

The damage is minor, it looked horrendous when I first got to the car as there was white paint everywhere but luckily that's come off but there is damage left over. Minor but I'm OCD enough about my car to not put up with it and I don't see why I should so I'm going to go through Jaguar so it's done properly. Any idea roughly what I can expect it to be?

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This is bulging out so I'm hoping it can just be popped back in
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If she refuses to pay if it's a substantial amount, as I have proof in writing of her admitting fault, photos of the incident and witnesses, should I expect it to be pretty easy to get money off her insurance?

Thanks
 
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Tell your insurance company now about the accident and mention the evidence etc but don't put the claim in yet. Go to the garage and get a quote and then send it to the girl, if she agrees then let her pay, if not claim through your insurance.
 
Even if I don't make the claim, won't they still potentially increase my premiums for letting them know as it will be on my record?
 
Go to a few places and get some quotes. Present these quotes to the person who did it, and let them decide to give you cash or insurance details. Don't give them too long to decide though, you want to set wheels in motion within a couple of weeks ideally in case you need to make the claim
 
I'd be inclined now to nail them for it with they way they went about it, but as you say it could have an effect on your own premiums.

Get a few quotes from places you'd be happy with it being done and present them. If they refuse, tell them they leave you no choice but to go through insurance.
 
:(

It really makes me just want to sell up and drive a banger around. There's me wanting to buy an XJ, an even bigger target for people to hit. Why do we bother? :(
 
Call the police, it is a criminal offence to leave the scene of an accident. This is happening far to often these days and people need to start being punished.
 
Steedie said:
:(

It really makes me just want to sell up and drive a banger around. There's me wanting to buy an XJ, an even bigger target for people to hit. Why do we bother? :(
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That was the conclusion I came to after having every new or nearly new vehicle I've ever owned buggered up by someone else, usually anonymously.

I now own a 23 year old (but very tidy for its age) Toyota that's practically worthless. It still gets driven into on average twice a year, but I'm past caring now.
 
Will go to the police later on the way out. Won't bother with insurance then until I know what I'm doing. Will be late Monday at the latest anyway once I've gone to Jag and the place on the business park
 
JanxSpirit said:
That was the conclusion I came to after having every new or nearly new vehicle I've ever owned buggered up by someone else, usually anonymously.

I now own a 23 year old (but very tidy for its age) Toyota that's practically worthless. It still gets driven into on average twice a year, but I'm past caring now.
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Similar thoughts here, when I was working in a supermarket my car turned from reasonable condition to dentorama in about a month. Really puts me off buying anything in nice condition.
 
Agreed with some of the other comments. Contact the police and go through the insurance, don't do anything to help them. They are clearly dishonest as they tried to drive away despite you saying the damage was bad and a piece of the car fell off.

Doesn't sound like the type of people that's worth giving the benefit of the doubt to.
 
:( yeah, just fingers crossed it doesn't affect my premiums too much. I only pay £300 a year as it is so I'm hoping even as a percentage, it can't go up dramatically.

I was a customer of the guy who tried to cover it up, needless to say he's lost a customer
 
Steedie said:
Even if I don't make the claim, won't they still potentially increase my premiums for letting them know as it will be on my record?
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It depends entirely on the insurer. Those that value customers and try to treat them fairly don't.

If you want to pursue this (since you have pretty good evidence) I would suggest going through your insurer. They deal with things like this all the time.

I also recommend finding out which bodyshop Jaguar would use and seeing if it on the list of approved repairers for your insurance company (or the other insurance company if you go directly with them). There's no point adding another middleman who will want a cut.
 
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Steedie said:
:(

It really makes me just want to sell up and drive a banger around. There's me wanting to buy an XJ, an even bigger target for people to hit. Why do we bother? :(
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Similar thing happened to me. Had my new Leon about 2 and a half weeks before someone decided to remove some paint from it with their own car. Had two quotes so far to get it repaired, £316 and £565. Haven't decided yet whether to go through insurance or just pay it myself.

People are monsters.
 
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