Another car collided with mine

techguy

Hi Guys,

So this evening I came out of my house to discover a car up against my own. Rear passenger side quarter panel and rear bumper damaged. The driver was nowhere to be found.

I called the Guards immediately. Guards took my details, other car details and arranged for the car to be towed. They said they'd track down the owner, figure out the next course of action and let me know. They reckon the car was parked and rolled back into mine. For a number of reasons I think that this is very unlikely. The handbrake was down, which I know may not mean much. The other cars insurance disc is in date.
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I'm now sitting here with a damaged car. From my untrained eye, it looks like the quarter panel needs to be replaced, rear bumper sprayed (partially?). I think the alloy may have been scratched also. On top of that i'm not sure if the car should be examined for damage to wheel/axle for damage from impact.
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What would you informed guys do? Should I wait around for the Guards or be proactive myself. I have a gut feeling that given the state of the car and lack of NCT/TAX, the owner won't be forking out at the cost of repairs to me. I am inclined to go to MSL Ballsbridge, where I bought it. Get them to assess for damage and cost of repairs.

Last thing I want is for my car to be worse off.

What do you guys think? Thanks.

Some pics, sorry for not embedding. Too tired to resize now

https://www.dropbox.com/s/wzxxb632zct2uaz/2013-09-03%2021.17.27.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6m0izqiwatzo28x/2013-09-03%2021.21.35.jpg

Stheno

Report it to your insurance company.

I'd not go to a main dealer for bodywork they just contract it out

Anan1

Bring the car to a good crash repair outfit (ie not MSL) for a quote and initiate a claim with the other party's insurer.

Marcusm

If you're in south Dublin, I've used Ashmore Ryder in Fitzwilliam Quay (just over Ringsend bridge) twice in the past and found them good value (compared to London). I found the quality good and some things they thought were too small to do so think they are honest. No other connection.

techguy

Thanks guys.

The reason I was thinking of MSL was that they would check for mechanical damage also. Is this required?

Should I be going through my insurer or theirs? Should I move on this straight away, will this impede a Garda investigation. I don't want to piss them off, but they could be a while getting back to me.

wotzgoingon

techguy wrote: »

Thanks guys.

The reason I was thinking of MSL was that they would check for mechanical damage also. Is this required?

Should I be going through my insurer or theirs? Should I move on this straight away, will this impede a Garda investigation. I don't want to piss them off, but they could be a while getting back to me.

Mechanical damage, the other car barely scratched yours. If your thinking of mechanical damage after slight accident I'd hate to see you after a proper impact.

techguy

With regards the repair bill.

Given the situation do you think i'll have to foot the bill. Considering there was an in date insurance disc on the window, i'd make the assumption that the other insurer is liable for any cost.

Even if the insurer does pay up, will I still have costs?

Is this a straightforward case or no? Thanks

techguy

wotzgoingon wrote: »

Mechanical damage, the other car barely scratched yours. If your thinking of mechanical damage after slight accident I'd hate to see you after a proper impact.

I'd appreciate you don't troll my thread!

This is my first car and first incident. Excuse me for asking questions on what is common practice. I'm only wondering about covering myself. Technically, this car could be considered to have been in an "accident". Imagine a scenario where I was in a legal dispute in the future regarding the cars suitability for the road. Who am I to say that after the collision, the car was mechanically unharmed? Technically, I would make myself liable by not getting it checked out and certified as being mechanically sound??

Just a thought!?

wotzgoingon

I wasn't trolling your thread, just putting the point accross that there is no mechanical damage. That car rolled after owner failed to put up handbrake or leave car in gear. Even at 10 mph there would be a proper dent, which that car did not reach them kind of speeds.

techguy

How do you know the car rolled?

wotzgoingon

techguy wrote: »

How do you know the car rolled?

I can tell by the pictures. And the handbrake down. And lack of physical damage to your car, as I said if car was driving there would be a large dent in the side of your car.

colm_mcm

The fact that the car was still there is a clue too!

Stheno

Unless I'm blind, I can't see any major damage in those pics, assuming it's the VW that is your car given that you were going to take it to MSL.

It should be readily repaired by a bodyshop, and any good bodyshop will advise whether or not to take it to be checked mechanically.

If the guards cannot trace the owner, or your insurance can't, you'll have to foot the cost of repairs, then claim it back from MIBI

As an example, I had the following repair down on my rear quarter panel of my car by a bodyshop after I hit it fairly heavily against a wall

Gumbo

techguy wrote: »

How do you know the car rolled?

I'd assume the owner doesnt even know it hit your car yet. If he was present when it happened, he would of just drove off, not leave the car there with all the details attached.

You can get the owners name and address quite easily if you know the right person in the right job

Anyway, you are one of the lucky ones, the other car is there, and it looks like you should be sorted out quite easily based on the details in the other cars window.

All you have to do is contact the other insurance company, tell them what happened and it will initiate a claim on your behalf and they too will chase up the cars owner (their client) in order to get to the bottom of it.

Best of luck and hope you get sorted quickly.

GSBellew

You won't need a quarter panel from that sort of impact, it will be repairable.

As for mechanical damage, you would do more harm hitting a pothole.
What you have is a car park prang, nothing more.

techguy

Cool, thanks guys.

I was just being cautious really, as I have no experience with this type of thing.

I'll wait and see what the Guards say, if this was a genuine mistake then there shouldn't be any major issue.

Anan1

techguy wrote: »

Should I be going through my insurer or theirs? Should I move on this straight away, will this impede a Garda investigation. I don't want to piss them off, but they could be a while getting back to me.

You may as well get started straight away. Call your own insurer (you're obliged to anyway) and give them all the details, they'll talk you through the process.

BohsCeltic

Anan1 wrote: »

You may as well get started straight away. Call your own insurer (you're obliged to anyway) and give them all the details, they'll talk you through the process.

And then screw you at renewal for something that wasn't your fault and advise you that its up to the guards to investigate.
Just speaking from my own experience

techguy

Hey folks,

So i've just heard back from the Guards. They've met with the guy who is willing to settle up with cash and without insurance.

Guard has passed along my number so i'm just waiting on a call from the driver/owner.

I'm going to visit a few body shops tomorrow and get some quotes. Some people have said I should be getting a new quarter panel.

Anan1

techguy wrote: »

Hey folks,

So i've just heard back from the Guards. They've met with the guy who is willing to settle up with cash and without insurance.

Guard has passed along my number so i'm just waiting on a call from the driver/owner.

I'm going to visit a few body shops tomorrow and get some quotes. Some people have said I should be getting a new quarter panel.

Just bear in mind that many people are quite happy to settle up for cash until they get the quote.

techguy

Sure, i'm going to try and have a few quotes for when the other party contacts me.

Any ideas on what the cost could be?

coolisin

Remember your car was in good nick before and should be put back to that state at no cost to you.

Inform the insurance company it's not your fault, your insurance shouldn't screw you, I'd contact them with the details anyway.

I've had experience before of people freaking out at the quote and not paying up with a company van.

Plus don't you go to a mate of a mate if he insists either.

EDIT Don't be waiting around for him to contact you either.

techguy

coolisin wrote: »

Remember your car was in good nick before and should be put back to that state at no cost to you.

Inform the insurance company it's not your fault, your insurance shouldn't screw you, I'd contact them with the details anyway.

I've had experience before of people freaking out at the quote and not paying up with a company van.

Plus don't you go to a mate of a mate if he insists either.

EDIT Don't be waiting around for him to contact you either.

Great advice, do I just go straight to insurance? I think i'll allow 24 hours to contact me. After that i'll call both insurers.

Do I need to inform my insurer of the situation and that I was not in the wrong? Will that affect my ncb or next years premium? Should I be getting a report from Guards stating that I was not in the wrong?

Thanks.

ba_barabus

Anan1 wrote: »

Just bear in mind that many people are quite happy to settle up for cash until they get the quote.

Aye, I've seen quotes for over €1000 (when someone else is paying) for the rear quarter panel. Thing is although it might be a small mark the whole panel has to be done up as far as the roof and people don't realise how much time and work that involves to do a good job.

As said by others don't let a mate of a mate do it.

Anan1

techguy wrote: »

Great advice, do I just go straight to insurance? I think i'll allow 24 hours to contact me. After that i'll call both insurers.

Do I need to inform my insurer of the situation and that I was not in the wrong? Will that affect my ncb or next years premium? Should I be getting a report from Guards stating that I was not in the wrong?

Thanks.

You have to inform your insurer either way. Your NCB won't be affected as long as there isn't a claim against your policy.

furtzy

Always inform you insurer. Just make sure to specify its for information purposes and not a claim

JohnBoy26

techguy wrote: »

Hey folks,

So i've just heard back from the Guards. They've met with the guy who is willing to settle up with cash and without insurance.

Guard has passed along my number so i'm just waiting on a call from the driver/owner.

I'm going to visit a few body shops tomorrow and get some quotes. Some people have said I should be getting a new quarter panel.

For very minor damage like that, no you don't need a new quarter panel. A decent repair shop should be able to sort that out no problem.

Sobanek

techguy wrote: »

Some people have said I should be getting a new quarter panel.

You're going to need a new car after such a serious accident Come on, I'm not a mechanic myself, nor do I have any mechanical knowledge, but it's quite obvious this damage can be fixed without replacing a WHOLE QUARTER PANEL.

techguy

So, i've just gotten a quote for a repair i.e. not new quarter panel. Quoted cost = €915.

I didn't receive a call from other party today so have just filed with his insurer, who will contact me tomorrow.

It turns out that both cars have the same insurer, somebody told me today that this complicates things? Is this true?

ba_barabus

techguy wrote: »

So, i've just gotten a quote for a repair i.e. not new quarter panel. Quoted cost = €915.

I didn't receive a call from other party today so have just filed with his insurer, who will contact me tomorrow.

It turns out that both cars have the same insurer, somebody told me today that this complicates things? Is this true?

Was it the same person who told you that you need a new quarter panel?

I'd doubt it would have any negative affect.

techguy

ba_barabus wrote: »

Was it the same person who told you that you need a new quarter panel?

I'd doubt it would have any negative affect.

Lol, yea.

ba_barabus

techguy wrote: »

Lol, yea.

I know its an annoying thing to happen but just smile and nod when people give advice and try not to let it play on your mind

OREGATO

techguy wrote: »

So, i've just gotten a quote for a repair i.e. not new quarter panel. Quoted cost = €915.

I didn't receive a call from other party today so have just filed with his insurer, who will contact me tomorrow.

It turns out that both cars have the same insurer, somebody told me today that this complicates things? Is this true?

I don't think it'l complicate things, if anything, it should make it easier for them to settle I'd think..

You did the right thing in reporting it to them anyway. Glad no one was hurt is the main thing, a car rolling back like that could have caused some damage, especially if it gained momentum!

Best of luck with it.

techguy

OREGATO wrote: »

I don't think it'l complicate things, if anything, it should make it easier for them to settle I'd think..

You did the right thing in reporting it to them anyway. Glad no one was hurt is the main thing, a car rolling back like that could have caused some damage, especially if it gained momentum!

Best of luck with it.

That's good.

So true. If my car wasn't there then it would have rolled out onto a fairly busy road.

MarkR

Don't forget to factor in possible car hire. How long will the repair take?

As mentioned above, could have been worse. Last year in Belfast a child was killed by a car in a similar manner.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/belfast-toddler-dies-after-runaway-vehicle-rolls-down-hill-and-smashes-into-buggy-29009842.html

techguy

Ok, so i've contacted the other cars supposed insurer.

I gave them the reg and said car is not currently insured with them. Last time they covered them was back in January. I find this strange because the disc says 2014 on it and has the name of that insurer. I'd hate to think that the person got a valid disc then cancelled, meaning an insured car hit me!

So, i've just looked at MIBI and their supposed No Claims Discount Protocol. I have fully comprehensive insurance, so according to them I need to claim from my provider (Aviva). This rings big, loud alarm bells for me. Fair enough, I might still have NCB, but what do I do when asked if I have made a claim in the past x years.

This is my first car, first policy and i'm only 25. Given that the car is a GTI, I may sell it if I lose my NCB or get penalised for making a claim.

I'm beginning to think that this incident is going to cost me. Is this classified as an accident if asked?

OREGATO

techguy wrote: »

Ok, so i've contacted the other cars supposed insurer.

I gave them the reg and said car is not currently insured with them. Last time they covered them was back in January. I find this strange because the disc says 2014 on it and has the name of that insurer. I'd hate to think that the person got a valid disc then cancelled, meaning an insured car hit me!

So, i've just looked at MIBI and their supposed No Claims Discount Protocol. I have fully comprehensive insurance, so according to them I need to claim from my provider (Aviva). This rings big, loud alarm bells for me. Fair enough, I might still have NCB, but what do I do when asked if I have made a claim in the past x years.

This is my first car, first policy and i'm only 25. Given that the car is a GTI, I may sell it if I lose my NCB or get penalised for making a claim.

I'm beginning to think that this incident is going to cost me. Is this classified as an accident if asked?

Have you contacted your own insurer yet? Your best bet is to let them take care of this after all, this is why you're paying for insurance in the first place.

It does sound dodgy regarding their insurance, but again, best is to let the insurance companies deal with it as they will hear of these types of incidents day in, day out.

It will not affect your insurance IMO, you weren't even in the car, it would be classified as a claim and if you were to renew your policy or change to a different company, you're best bet is to declare it. Tell them the situation that you made a claim against another vehicle for them hitting your car while you weren't there etc. Of course, people may have the opinion that you don't have to disclose, but for me personally, I'd rather have everything declared, just in case.

You could also get onto the guard you were dealing with and inform them of where you're at and if they'd have any advice for you.

Hope you get it sorted.

techguy

Good advice

The guard is back on duty on Monday and i'll call in to chat to him.

The other driver has been in the station and has all his information requested. I just need to find out if the other person is actually insured or not.

dukedalton

Are you any the wiser as to how the incident happened?

techguy

Well, the Guards opinion was that the car just rolled into mine. I'm inclined to agree.

Either that or somebody was driving very slowly and crashed.