What would you do?

stakey

Right, for some reason I'm hesitant to do what probably should be done in this case. Our car is parked outside our house on a public road near Dublin city centre, the rear bumper has taken some punishment over the 3 years we've been living here, typical stuff, small taps, dings, towbars, the usual...

This morning a lady was parallel parking between my car and the neighbours, PLENTY of room between these two cars and reversed into our car. She moved up about 2-3 inches, put the emergencies on and went to the shop next to our house. We saw it all from the window.

I investigated, not much damage, a bit of a scratch and added to a crack in the bumper, looks a little more severe but still hasn't split the bumper completely, mind you one or two more taps and the paint is coming off and the split will increase in size. I took some photo's took her cars details while she was in the shop etc...

When she returned she asked if I was parked in, I remarked that she had parked a little too close for comfort and seen her from the window and that their may be some damage, so maybe she might move her car up. She of course dismissed it and claimed I was at a game of silly buggers essentially. To say the least a little incensed.

I said it's very likely she's done some damage to the bumper and I'd get my garage to have a look. Not really caring she asked to not get the insurance company involved and just get a quote and pass on, we exchanged details etc...

Overall my feeling is she's just done what every other nimrod parking on the road has done, which is not pay attention. But, I feel the overall damage isn't hers and the cost to fix will be a reseal of the bumper and respray so that's gonna be costly enough. The only thing annoying me was her general attitude and not even an apology for parking without any due consideration.

So, I can take it to the garage, get a quote and have her pay for it... or chalk it up to living in town and parking on the street. What would you do?

pippip

Personally I'd be pissed at her claiming she didn't do it. I'd also be like yourself in that if the bumper was worst for wear to start with another dent probably wouldn't bother me.

The only concern I'd have would be if it threatened to fail the nct now due to either being loose or the noticeable crack you mention that may appear and increase in size.

Voodoomelon

If you're not overly bothered and the car isn't really much the worse off, I wouldn't bother. Your next dealings with her will be herself denying it into the ground, not worth the hassle.

ba_barabus

If you'd like to annoy her without doing much call her insurance company, open the claim and then tell them you'll ring them back with a quote.

It'll open a claim and become a pain in her arse for a while.

ironclaw

I'd completely dimiss her attitude and opinion, some people just don't share the same love or respect of a car. They don't care if its missing a panel here or a buckle in the paint there. So its not worth getting incensed over. Its not deliberate, they just don't share the same view as you.

If it annoys you, get the quote and send it on and get a record of it. See what happens. If she denies it, you have photos and you can pursue a formal claim.

Given where you live though and its an ongoing concern, you could invest in one of these:



Look really naff but they are all over the place in the likes of NYC etc where tight parking is rampant. That, or a clear wrap of the bumper.

Caliden

Open a claim and from there she can choose to pay the insurance company herself.

Trying to sort it without going through the insurance will be a nightmare because more than likely she will drag her feet and dismiss your quote, tell you 'she knows a guy...' and will take months.

Get it done though insurance and then she can choose to pay the bill out of her own pocket or take the hit on the no claims bonus.

Someone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong but I've heard of several people who have done it before, i.e. settle the bill with the insurance company to retain the NCB. At least that way, there's an official record and you don't have to go chasing anybody.

dodzy

stakey wrote: »

She of course dismissed it and claimed I was at a game of silly buggers essentially.

Because of this, I'd leave her holding the can. Any semblance of guilt on your part will pass in time.

Hope she's not a Boardsie

freddieot

I'd always give a nice genuine person a break but in this instance - Claim. It's the only way to teach these people a lesson.

Next time you might have a new Beemer parked there and her or someone like her would do the same thing regardless.

slimjimmc

freddieot wrote: »

I'd always give a nice genuine person a break but in this instance - Claim. It's the only way to teach these people a lesson.

Next time you might have a new Beemer parked there and her or someone like her would do the same thing regardless.

What are you suggesting he claim for though, repairing a small scratch and restoring the existing crack to it's previous size? It would be fraudulent to pin a full bumper repair on her regardless of her attitude.

challengemaster

Voodoomelon wrote: »

If you're not overly bothered and the car isn't really much the worse off, I wouldn't bother. Your next dealings with her will be herself denying it into the ground, not worth the hassle.

The sheer lack of disrespect for other peoples property and trying to weasel out of it would mean I'd put in a claim even if the car was only worth a fiver.