Car accident

ShowMeTheCash

Hey just thought i would post this here.

So my car rolled forward in the patrol station when my OH was paying for Diesel, it put a small dent in a car that was parked outside.

I do not really know the owner but said take it down to the garage in town see if they can fix the dent and I will pay for the damage.

Now I have had a few dings fixed myself and I know they can cost from anything from 50 euro to a few hundred, depending if the paint needs re-sprayed...
This dent it small and did not break the paint, the car is not new either.

I would not expect this to cost anymore that say 100 euro if they are being reasonable.

Just wondering what the law is around this and if they say they want the entire quarter panel replaced new and sprayed.

I want to fix the damage it is superficial and very minor but I do not want someone taking me for a ride either.

Thanks

Paulw

You hit them. In theory, it should have been reported to the Gardai and also both insurance firms.

You should get them to get three quotes for the repair, and then come to an agreement on which one to go with.

Sometimes what seems like a minor bump can cause more than just the visible damage. I was hit from behind last year. The rear bumper was damaged and needed to be replaced, but I failed to spot the structural damage to the crash barrier and the dent in the boot. Thankfully the garage did. So, it went from a bumper to a large section of the rear needing to be repaired/replaced.

seamus

Paulw wrote: »

You hit them. In theory, it should have been reported to the Gardai

The Gardai only need to be involved if there are injuries or if the owner of the other vehicle/other property cannot be contacted/established.

In a standard bump with no injuries, there's no legal obligation to involve the Gardai.

Sometimes what seems like a minor bump can cause more than just the visible damage. I was hit from behind last year. The rear bumper was damaged and needed to be replaced, but I failed to spot the structural damage to the crash barrier and the dent in the boot. Thankfully the garage did. So, it went from a bumper to a large section of the rear needing to be repaired/replaced.

Yep, it's always hard to tell. Had a bump on our passenger door during the summer (door was being opened and hit by another vehicle), the damage from the outside appeared pretty minor (it was a very slow collision), nothing that couldn't be straightened out and polished down - the edge of the door was turned inwards and some other slight denting.
The insurer's garage looked at it and said that the door was structurally compromised, any attempt to fix it would still result in an unbalanced door that won't ever hang correctly.
Had an independent garage look at it who said the same thing.

Result: new door, €1,300.

So, yeah, sometimes tiny bumps and dents can be expensive.

zl1whqvjs75cdy

Don't think you'll convince him to get three independent quotes anyway since you dinged him. I tipped off a bumper of a car in a car park once and paid to get it popped and sprayed. Was 250 but the guy was pretty sound and get a friend of his to do it off the books so got the vat off it. So 200 all in.

ShowMeTheCash

The dent is on above the wheel arch, my understanding is the car rolled maybe 3 feet so there was no real impact more the weight of the car has pressed a dent into the metal.

I will wait for them to come back to me.

goz83

Its almost always more expensive than you hope it will be

Ken.

Take the number you have and put a 1 in front of it and if its any less be thankful. Was there anyone in the receiving car at the time?

MarkR

100 quid won't get much bar a mate fixing it. Panel beaters charge by the hour, and I don't think you'll get more than a rub of a cloth for 100.

Wheelnut

ken wrote: »

Take the number you have and put a 1 in front of it and if its any less be thankful...

MarkR wrote: »

100 quid won't get much bar a mate fixing it...

I think what he meant is that if you have a figure of (say) €250 in mind, put a "1" in front of it and be grateful if the cost is less than €1250.

I think the OP's problem is that he has already admitted liability without knowing the cost implications.

braddun

who ever was driving the car could be charged with not having full control of car,were there cameras in the petrol station
I could see a year ban if garda had got involved


expect painting to be involved 400 euro

goz83

braddun wrote: »

who ever was driving the car could be charged with not having full control of car,were theier cameras in the petrol station
I could see a year ban if garda had got involved


expect painting to be involved 400 euro

:rolleyes:

ShowMeTheCash

I don't know where people here are getting body work done, I have had three cars where I had to get work done, one of which was a fairly expensive car and new.

And never spent more than 400 euro and this was not some guy I know, just a garage that does body work.

In my experience the only time you need to spend money is if you need to replace the area, as someone already said like a door due to problems with it locking or there is a fold in the metal which cannot be worked out.

Also panel beaters? They use suction cups these days, dents are usually pulled out not beat out.

I spoke with the guy turns out I actually know her bf, he said it is a small dent and will through it up to a local guy and said I can talk with him.
If he is too pricy he said I can find someone myself if I want.

.........

I think people have missed what I was asking.

I was not asking how much will it cost as I seem to know more about that than most the posters here. (Or people here have been badly ripped off in the past)
I was asking what I do if the owner of the other car is not being reasonable with their valuation of damage caused.

If someone is running around in a beat up punto 1998 that's open market value is say 1000 euro but is looking for 1500 euro for a new door then it becomes a little ridiculous...

Or if I have someone look at it and they say I would fix that for 200 euro but they are looking 1500 euro again I think it is a little unreasonable.

It does not matter now anyways...

ShowMeTheCash

braddun wrote: »

who ever was driving the car could be charged with not having full control of car,were there cameras in the petrol station
I could see a year ban if garda had got involved


expect painting to be involved 400 euro

You must live somewhere other than ireland!

Gran Hermano

The injured party can have whomever they like fix it at whatever price.
If the person causing the incident ain't happy then other option is claim via insurance.
No way I'd let the person who crashed into me dictate how/where/when my car is restored to the condition it was before. Any messing or debating and I'd leave it to the police and insurance.

ShowMeTheCash

Gran Hermano wrote: »

The injured party can have whomever they like fix it at whatever price.
If the person causing the incident ain't happy then other option is claim via insurance.
No way I'd let the person who crashed into me dictate how/where/when my car is restored to the condition it was before. Any messing or debating and I'd leave it to the police and insurance.

Again you are someone that does not appear to know what they are talking about.

They can fix it and whatever price??? What complete nonsense.

So to start, Gardi would not get involved, this is a civil matter, damage to property and no one was in the car so no one was injured I have agreed to pay for the damage I argue they are trying to extort monies gards do nothing.

All your insurance company will do is take it to a garage and get a quote they don't just make up a number they actually need to have a garage quote a price and show evidence that this is actually how much it will cost, also the quote to fix has to be no higher that a % of the car valuation else technically it can be considered a write off....

My insurance company will come back and either agree or disagree on the valuation. Also as they are my insurance company I can instruct them not to agree and then it goes to court.

Stheno

ShowMeTheCash wrote: »

Again you are someone that does not appear to know what they are talking about.

They can fix it and whatever price??? What complete nonsense.

So to start, Gardi would not get involved, this is a civil matter, damage to property and no one was in the car so no one was injured I have agreed to pay for the damage I argue they are trying to extort monies gards do nothing.

All your insurance company will do is take it to a garage and get a quote they don't just make up a number they actually need to have a garage quote a price and show evidence that this is actually how much it will cost, also the quote to fix has to be no higher that a % of the car valuation else technically it can be considered a write off....

My insurance company will come back and either agree or disagree on the valuation. Also as they are my insurance company I can instruct them not to agree and then it goes to court.

Your insurance company can settle a claim regardless of you agreeing

ShowMeTheCash

Stheno wrote: »

Your insurance company can settle a claim regardless of you agreeing

I thought this too but my solicitor told me different.

A few years back I had a girl cut across my path on a main road but was trying to claim that it was my fault.

At the time I got a solicitors letter looking for 10K due to injury etc etc...

I went to my solicitor and she told me to tell the insurance company not to settle, I said can I do that.. She said yes! The insurance company will usually settle on your behalf but you can instruct them not to.

Did not come to that as the assessor and her company concluded she was at fault so it did not effect me.

Granted I was living in Belfast when this happened with a UK insurance company.

Insurance companies do not want the cost of going to court, but you can instruct then if you feel strongly the accident was not your fault.

Maybe a little different when arguing over the cost, but again if I am saying I will pay it is up to me whether I let my insurance company take care of it or I do, and I can choose to go to court.

gctest50

ShowMeTheCash wrote: »

Again you are someone that does not appear to know what they are talking about.

..................Also as they are my insurance company I can instruct them not to agree and then it goes to court.

If they are happy they can just pay up without telling you - all you'll know is bigger premium next year

best to tell them in plenty of time you want to go it alone

ShowMeTheCash

gctest50 wrote: »

If they are happy they can just pay up without telling you - all you'll know is bigger premium next year

Just looking the law in Ireland is a little different to the UK.

An insurance company can settle against your wishes but it states only in extreme circumstances... Not sure what an extreme circumstance would be.

Paulw

ShowMeTheCash wrote: »

Again you are someone that does not appear to know what they are talking about.

They can fix it and whatever price??? What complete nonsense.

Well, I am beginning to wonder why you opened this thread, since you seem to know more than every other poster here. :eek:

Insurance companies will settle, even if you disagree with their decision. They will permit the claiming party to have the work done at a garage of their choice. Yes, there are financial write-offs of vehicles, because the cost of repair is greater than the value of the car, but there are also situations where they will actually pay for the repair even though it is greater than the value of the car. It will depend on the insurance assessor.

Your choices are simple - agree to pay yourself, or all the insurance company to deal with it. The injured party can have the vehicle repaired at a location of their choice, and at the cost of their liking, depending on agreement from the insurance company. In most cases, you have no say in the insurance settlement.

ShowMeTheCash

Just for future reference does anyone on this forum know anything about the law or are they just making stuff up as they see it?

Reason I ask, I posted on this forum hoping someone with a legal background or knowledge in the area could point me to the in's and outs of what could happen and what I can possibly do if someone is taking the p1ss...

All I seem to get was a lot of comments with people stating what they would do if someone bumped into their car....

my3cents

ShowMeTheCash wrote: »

Just for future reference does anyone on this forum know anything about the law or are they just making stuff up as they see it?

Reason I ask, I posted on this forum hoping someone with a legal background or knowledge in the area could point me to the in's and outs of what could happen and what I can possibly do if someone is taking the p1ss...

All I seem to get was a lot of comments with people stating what they would do if someone bumped into their car....

Who is taking the p1ss?

berger89

ShowMeTheCash wrote: »

Just for future reference does anyone on this forum know anything about the law or are they just making stuff up as they see it?

Reason I ask, I posted on this forum hoping someone with a legal background or knowledge in the area could point me to the in's and outs of what could happen and what I can possibly do if someone is taking the p1ss...

All I seem to get was a lot of comments with people stating what they would do if someone bumped into their car....

I think thank you are the words you're looking for.
People have posted here trying to help you out, you seem a little ungrateful.

It wasn't a huge smash, it's a little dent. Handy enough to fix. How you go about it is up the agreement between yourself and the other owner.

ShowMeTheCash

berger89 wrote: »

I think thank you are the words you're looking for.
People have posted here trying to help you out, you seem a little ungrateful.

It wasn't a huge smash, it's a little dent. Handy enough to fix. How you go about it is up the agreement between yourself and the other owner.

OK some people gave useful comments.

I was aiming my last comment to people with the.

"Well you could of lost you license if the cops landed" Yeah?? And if my Aunt and nuts she would be my uncle.

"If it was me I would call the cops and call the insurance company" Yeah??? I could not careless what you would do if I hit your car has nothing to do with what I was asking.

ShowMeTheCash

my3cents wrote: »

Who is taking the p1ss?

No one, I am asking what do I do if they do?

OK let me break it down, lets said you bumped into a car on the street and scuffed the paint nothing more.

And they guys goes no worries I will get it fixed and send you the bill.

Then you get a bill for 10 grand.
Guy claims the scuff ruined his engine and the car needs replaced.

What do you do? Accept it? No, most people would be like... Here your having a laugh... Well some on this forum seem to think actually no... You would need to pay whatever number the other party thinks up!

Paulw

ShowMeTheCash wrote: »

No one, I am asking what do I do if they do?

OK let me break it down, lets said you bumped into a car on the street and scuffed the paint nothing more.

And they guys goes no worries I will get it fixed and said you the bill.

Then you get a bill for 10 grand.
Guy claims the scuff ruined his engine and the car needs replaced.

What do you do? Accept it? No, most people would be like... Here your having a laugh... Well some on this forum seem to think actually no... You would need to pay whatever number the other party thinks up!

You pass it to your insurance and let them deal with it. They will decide if the claim is valid or not. That is what you pay them for anyway.

scoobydoobie

If the paint is unbroken, then a guy doing pointless dent removal might be able to fix it, might cost 60 quid or so.

salamanca22

The person who has been been damaged can choose to be made whole again to their liking. I.E in a garage of their choice and if the cost is exorbitant in your opinion then you pass it onto the insurance company. That is how it works. That is the only logical progression.

Wheelnut

ShowMeTheCash wrote: »

Just for future reference does anyone on this forum know anything about the law or are they just making stuff up as they see it? ....

At a glance I can see at least one poster on here who is also a regular on the legal forum. Check it out yourself.

ShowMeTheCash

Paulw wrote: »

You pass it to your insurance and let them deal with it. They will decide if the claim is valid or not. That is what you pay them for anyway.

Insurance....

For smaller amounts it is not worth letting your insurance company deal with it.
Insurance is a scam...

That will be 300 euro, oh and your premium is up! over the next 5 years you will pay the 300 euro and then some!

my3cents

ShowMeTheCash wrote: »

Insurance....

For smaller amounts it is not worth letting your insurance company deal with it.
Insurance is a scam...

That will be 300 euro, oh and your premium is up! over the next 5 years you will pay the 300 euro and then some!

But its not up to you, afaik if the person you hit wants to they can still go claim on your insurance.

ShowMeTheCash

my3cents wrote: »

But its not up to you, afaik if the person you hit wants to they can still go claim on your insurance.

I know this.....

I have already said they person is just taking it to a local garage and I will pay the bill, someone suggested let the insurance take care of it that is what they are for....

Paulw

ShowMeTheCash wrote: »

For smaller amounts it is not worth letting your insurance company deal with it.

I have not disagreed with that. You asked what to do if you think someone is looking for too much to repair the damage.

Hence my early post, suggesting that you ask the damaged party to get three quotes for the repair, and then come to an agreement on getting it repaired, before involving insurance.

You hit him. You are at fault. You are liable for the cost of repairs. If you can't afford the cost of repair, or you deem that the cost of repair is a good bit greater than you believe it should be, then you should pass it off to your insurance. If the person is trying to scam, then the insurance company will deal with that. This is what you pay them for.

Lantus

IF you can come to an agreement then fine but the party you hit is under no obligation to do so. They are free to make a claim on your insurance at any time. There is also a time limit with making a claim after an incident so a lot of people tend to play along until the injured parties time runs out and then walk away knowing that they have no legal obligation whatsoever.

My own experience of a gentlemen's agreement is that it breaks down once the real quotes come in. The person causing the damage then tends to fly off the handle accusing the injured party of all sorts and trying to rob them. Happened to a family member who was 'begged' to not go through insurance when a door was knocked. Cost to replace came in at €1200 at which point we were threatened with violence unless we went to some back street garage and got a quick repair done. That's what you get for being kind. Insurance company was called 5 seconds later. Didn't speak to them again.

Despite your assurances that it will only cost this if you do x or y the injured party is allowed to have their car repaired as they please. If that means the most expensive garage then that's their choice. If you don't like it then insurance time.

People always want to get the 'other persons' car repaired by some block they know but when it comes to there own they naturally want the best. After all the future value of the car is dependant on a good repair.

ShowMeTheCash

Paulw wrote: »

I have not disagreed with that. You asked what to do if you think someone is looking for too much to repair the damage.

Hence my early post, suggesting that you ask the damaged party to get three quotes for the repair, and then come to an agreement on getting it repaired, before involving insurance.

You hit him. You are at fault. You are liable for the cost of repairs. If you can't afford the cost of repair, or you deem that the cost of repair is a good bit greater than you believe it should be, then you should pass it off to your insurance. If the person is trying to scam, then the insurance company will deal with that. This is what you pay them for.

I am dealing with the garage myself the owner has effetively stepped away from it and let me handle it.

So this is now a hypothetical -

But lets say I could get it fixed good as new for 100 euro.
And someone comes back and says yeah 2000 euro.
I say ok let the insurance company take care of it as your having a laugh...
Insurance company goes we estimate at best 250 euro worth of damage.

I think at that stage is it too late, I cannot step in and go I will pay the 250 euro.
Insurance company pays.. my premium will go up the owner of the other car does not see any of the extra cost, the only people who benefit from this is the insurance company.

salamanca22

ShowMeTheCash wrote: »

I am dealing with the garage myself the owner has effetively stepped away from it and let me handle it.

So this is now a hypothetical -

But lets say I could get it fixed good as new for 100 euro.
And someone comes back and says yeah 2000 euro.
I say ok let the insurance company take care of it as your having a laugh...
Insurance company goes we estimate at best 250 euro worth of damage.

I think at that stage is it too late, I cannot step in and go I will pay the 250 euro.
Insurance company pays.. my premium will go up the owner of the other car does not see any of the extra cost, the only people who benefit from this is the insurance company.

You can indeed pay the insurance company the money back.

ShowMeTheCash

salamanca22 wrote: »

You can indeed pay the insurance company the money back.

And does that mean it will not effect my no claims etc etc??

salamanca22

ShowMeTheCash wrote: »

And does that mean it will not effect my no claims etc etc??

That is my understanding, yes.

Have a read of this thread:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056886438

Gormley85

Wheelnut wrote: »

I think what he meant is that if you have a figure of (say) €250 in mind, put a "1" in front of it and be grateful if the cost is less than €1250.

I think the OP's problem is that he has already admitted liability without knowing the cost implications.

What does this mean? So your advice for someone who crashed is basically if its a cheap repair then its ok accept the blame.... but if it turns out to be an expensive fix then just flat out deny responsibility.

salamanca22

Gormley85 wrote: »

What does this mean? So your advice for someone who crashed is basically if its a cheap repair then its ok accept the blame.... but if it turns out to be an expensive fix then just flat out deny responsibility.

You are not supposed to accept liability at all. That is for your insurance company to sort out and it is most likely in your policy to that effect.

No need for putting words in the posters mouth.

spurious

Flap, flap, flap. You haven't got the quote from the garage yet. It could be fifty quid. Stop flapping until there is something to flap about. No one died.

seamus

ShowMeTheCash wrote: »

Insurance company goes we estimate at best 250 euro worth of damage.

I think at that stage is it too late, I cannot step in and go I will pay the 250 euro.
Insurance company pays.. my premium will go up the owner of the other car does not see any of the extra cost, the only people who benefit from this is the insurance company.

You only lose your NCB if you claim. If your excess is greater than €250, then there is no claim.

I had exactly this discussion with my insurer this year and they said that if the final cost is less than the excess, you pay the cost directly and there is no claim registered against your insurance policy.

nuac

ShowMeTheCash wrote: »

Again you are someone that does not appear to know what they are talking about.

They can fix it and whatever price??? What complete nonsense.

So to start, Gardi would not get involved, this is a civil matter, damage to property and no one was in the car so no one was injured I have agreed to pay for the damage I argue they are trying to extort monies gards do nothing.

All your insurance company will do is take it to a garage and get a quote they don't just make up a number they actually need to have a garage quote a price and show evidence that this is actually how much it will cost, also the quote to fix has to be no higher that a % of the car valuation else technically it can be considered a write off....

My insurance company will come back and either agree or disagree on the valuation. Also as they are my insurance company I can instruct them not to agree and then it goes to court.

No. Your insurer can decide on the proposed repair. They will not go to court over minor body damage.

Because of the weak thin metal in cars nowadays, even a small shunt can cost four figures

Murray007

ShowMeTheCash wrote: »

I thought this too but my solicitor told me different.

A few years back I had a girl cut across my path on a main road but was trying to claim that it was my fault.

At the time I got a solicitors letter looking for 10K due to injury etc etc...

I went to my solicitor and she told me to tell the insurance company not to settle, I said can I do that.. She said yes! The insurance company will usually settle on your behalf but you can instruct them not to.

Did not come to that as the assessor and her company concluded she was at fault so it did not effect me.

Granted I was living in Belfast when this happened with a UK insurance company.

Insurance companies do not want the cost of going to court, but you can instruct then if you feel strongly the accident was not your fault.

Maybe a little different when arguing over the cost, but again if I am saying I will pay it is up to me whether I let my insurance company take care of it or I do, and I can choose to go to court.

Your solicitor is wrong. The insurance company can settle with or without you knowing, its at their decretion (in ROI).

ShowMeTheCash

Murray007 wrote: »

Your solicitor is wrong. The insurance company can settle with or without you knowing, its at their decretion (in ROI).

The accident I had was in Belfast when I was living up here so technically it was the UK so my solicitor was not wrong.

I alread stated a few posts further down that I see the law in the ROI is different.

ShowMeTheCash

nuac wrote: »

No. Your insurer can decide on the proposed repair. They will not go to court over minor body damage.

Because of the weak thin metal in cars nowadays, even a small shunt can cost four figures

It can depend, yes if you are driving an expensive car and need to have a section replaced it can be costly.

If a dent it pulled out and even sprayed and you pay more than say 300 or 400 euro you are getting ripped off.