Advice after a fender bender

Brego888

Was sat at traffic lights today and some genius decides it would be a good idea to reverse into me in his attempt to do a u turn. He owned up straight away accepting the fault. My front left panel is badly scrapped. Exchanged details, phone numbers, insurance etc. I took a few photos.
He asked could we keep it off the insurance if possible. I said I'll get a quote to fix it, get back to him and see does he want to pay cash or go insurance and left it at that.

Any advice where to go to from here? I obviously didn't call the guards and I didn't get a phone number of any witnesses. I'm driving 9 years and never had any accidents so not sure if I've done the right thing? Considering he could just deny responsibility and claim it was me hit him. He seemed like a decent bloke though and had the wife with him. Also I won't be able to get a quote til Thursday next week.

Brego888

Anyone?

Or any advice on a more appropriate forum to post this in?

Stheno

First off have a bit of patience, we're not all on here 24/7 you know

Anyway, regardless, report it to your insurance company, even if you are not going through insurance, it's good to have that backup.

Did you get his insurance details?

If he seems sound that may well change when you get a few quotes, try to get two or three.

Where are you thinking of going for quotes? And what year car and model is it?

knucklehead6

Brego888 wrote: »

Anyone?

Or any advice on a more appropriate forum to post this in?

Without any witnesses details you are kind of depending on his word of honour. Hopefully he stays a decent bloke. I was on the opposite side of this situation a few years back, where I was at fault.

It's a case of hoping he does the right thing but you'd get an idea of that from him.

May I ask what he was driving?

dougie-lampkin

Call your insurance company immediately. Make sure that the incident is noted, whether or not you want to claim off his insurance yet. If the genius in front gets a notion, he could claim you plowed into him while he was stationary, putting you at fault. If he gets in there before you, you don't really have a leg to stand on without an independent witness.

To be honest, it sounds like he's pulling a fast one and intends to do just that. It's one of the more common insurance scams.

Brego888

Thanks lads.

Yeah I took a picture of his insurance disk so have them.
He didn't take any record of mine so I doubt he could report mine to his insurance company.
I'm driving a 2010 mazda 6, he was in an 08 polo.

Not sure where to go for the quote to be honest, was just gonna go to a mazda dealer and get advice from there?
Unless you'd recommend any different? I'm based in South Dublin.
I get the impression he's an honourable bloke though so hopefully pays up.

But I'll take the advice to contact my own insurance company just on case.

Stheno

Brego888 wrote: »

Thanks lads.

Yeah I took a picture of his insurance disk so have them.
He didn't take any record of mine so I doubt he could report mine to his insurance company.
I'm driving a 2010 mazda 6, he was in an 08 polo.

Not sure where to go for the quote to be honest, was just gonna go to a mazda dealer and get advice from there?
Unless you'd recommend any different? I'm based in South Dublin.
I get the impression he's an honourable bloke though so hopefully pays up.

But I'll take the advice to contact my own insurance company just on case.

Don't go near a main dealer, if it's pure body work they just contract it out.

In Dublin City Centre, there is a great place on Ladd Lane, can't recommend any in South County Dublin, but I'm sure others will.

Given it's a newish car, it's potentially an expensive job, so definitely report it to your insurance, and to theirs as you have their details to be honest.

Mr.Fred

Stheno wrote: »

Don't go near a main dealer, if it's pure body work they just contract it out.

Do go to a main dealer that'll be your bench mark quote and will likely be the most expensive one,then get a quote off an indy that'll show you're being reasonable.

More than likely it'll be an expensive fix and more than the other guy realises so it will end up with the insurance company.

I doubt the other fella is trying to pull a fast one if he didn't record your details.

Stheno

Mr.Fred wrote: »

Do go to a main dealer that'll be your bench mark quote and will likely be the most expensive one,then get a quote off an indy that'll show you're being reasonable.

More than likely it'll be an expensive fix and more than the other guy realises so it will end up with the insurance company.

I doubt the other fella is trying to pull a fast one if he didn't record your details.

If he wants an expensive quote without going near a main dealer he can use Trimtech, then hit a few small body shops.

Even with Trimtech prices, he'll get fleeced at a main dealer.

Mr.Fred

Stheno wrote: »

If he wants an expensive quote without going near a main dealer he can use Trimtech, then hit a few small body shops.

Even with Trimtech prices, he'll get fleeced at a main dealer.

He's not paying for it??

The idea is to get a quote to repair the car to original pre crash condition regardless of cost.

OP you need to get a high quote (main dealer) and a low quote indy then pass on info to the other lad. You're insurance co will give you a list of companies they use for body repairs you could get a quote off one of those also.

Brego888

Contacted my insurance company but because I went through a broker I have to deal with them instead and they ain't open again til Tuesday.

They logged my call and the reason for it though.

Brego888

Next question I have lads is how to proceed if he's accepted the quote that I find. Do I ask he sends me the money prior to the work being down or after completion?
This is where I imagine it could get a bit messy.

Stheno

Brego888 wrote: »

Next question I have lads is how to proceed if he's accepted the quote that I find. Do I ask he sends me the money prior to the work being down or after completion?
This is where I imagine it could get a bit messy.

If he accepts a quote, get a written copy of it and ask him for payment in advance? That would be the safest thing to do imo.