Small damage to bumper, go through insurance or not?

Mc-BigE

Hi just need some advice on the following, my wife's cars rear bumper was damaged along the left side today by an L driver in a church car park.
she has agreed to fix the damage but doesn't want to go through insurance.

My wife has agreed to get a quote for the damage (2007 BMW 3 series) from the main dealer, and the L-drivers father has agreed for us to go down that line.

My question is when i get the quote and they agree or disagree with the price, whats the next step, should i contact their there insurance company anyway?
should i contact my wifes insurance company even though she wasn't in the wrong.

does being in a church car park have any difference for insurance compared to the public road?

these might sound like silly questions, but i would like to know were i stand or what i should do now if things do go wrong.

corktina

they damaged your car, they say they will pay...provided they do, then no need for Insurance Companies and it doesnt matter where you were when they damaged it.
however it may be in the small print of your insurance that you have to inform your company, I should check that.

NUTLEY BOY

In short, private agreements to settle claims outside of insurance often turn sour.

Deal directly with their insurers.

It is a condition of your insurance policy that you notify any accident. This condition is absolute and has no connection with the issue of fault.

Thornography

If they will pay what it takes to fix the car, especially through a dealer, Dont go through the insurance company.

I'm sure the learner is mortified enough as it is without getting bogged down in the legalities.

Be a good sport and give him/her the benefit of fix`n the car with no more repercussions, God knows its hard enough for a learner as it is.

route66

NUTLEY BOY wrote: »

In short, private agreements to settle claims outside of insurance often turn sour.

Deal directly with their insurers.

It is a condition of your insurance policy that you notify any accident. This condition is absolute and has no connection with the issue of fault.

I disagree.

In almost exactly similar circumstances about 2 years ago, I gave the option to the person who caused the crash: insurance or settle privately. They baulked at the price we were quoted and wanted to get their "own guy" to fix the damage. I declined, but told them they could settle with "my guy" directly if they so wished. This is what they did.

Very simple and it worked with no problems. There is no need to assume that everybody is out to get you.

Anan1

OP - You should inform the insurance companies and give them the option to settle the bill themselves if they wish, that way everything's covered.

corktina

dont worry about being a good sport, look after yourself....and from bitter previous experiance I would call the Gards for anything other than the most minor tip.. some people can be the most awful liars you know!

Theanswers

Be fair to the learner, give them a chance. More the likely if you claim their insurance will sky-rocket and remain expencive for the next few years. How would feel if something like this would happen to you. You by accident hit someones car, offer to pay and are willing and they go and put it through the insurance and your insurance sky-rockets. Not very fair, give them a chance at least.... Does it matter to you who pays? as long as it get fixed thats the main thing....

Mc-BigE

had a look at the damage last night when i got home, and to be honest its not much, the left corner of the bumper is scraped and the parking sensor on the corner might have been damaged.
So ive taken the car to a main dealer ( with the agreement of the other driver)
and they gave me a quote, to repaint the bumper and replace corner sensor.

will be posting the quote to the other driver today and hopefully she will do the right thing and pay.

Ill i want is my car back to the way it was before she made contact with it.

I've checked my policy and it says to contact them and report anything that might cause a claim. so i contacted them and reported it, and told them that the other driver is willing to pay for the damage.

As Anan1 and Nutley Boy said, i think it is the best way of dealing with this.

thanks for all the advice guys.

NUTLEY BOY

route66 wrote: »

I disagree.

In almost exactly similar circumstances about 2 years ago, I gave the option to the person who caused the crash: insurance or settle privately. They baulked at the price we were quoted and wanted to get their "own guy" to fix the damage. I declined, but told them they could settle with "my guy" directly if they so wished. This is what they did.

Very simple and it worked with no problems. There is no need to assume that everybody is out to get you.

Fair enough, but I can assure that you were were very lucky that it worked out.