Hit by a reversing van - questions if you don't mind

Kintarō Hattori

Hey Folks,

So I was in a retail park tonight and I was hit by a van that was reversing out of a space. I just installed a dashcam last week so that was fortunate. Anywhoo it's clearly his fault, he admitted that he may have been on the phone and not heard me blowing the horn as he was reversing.
So my question is this. It was a fairly low speed impact and it looks like there's minimal cosmetic damage, some scuffing and a small dent. It was a work van so he'll probably be crucified if we go through insurance companies. I'm fully insured, taxed and NCT'd. I imagine the first thing I should do is to get an inspection done by my mechanic tomorrow and a quote for the cosmetic repair to the drivers side front panel (Fiat 500).

Would you do it outside of insurance OR would you go through his insurance company? As I say, I think, damage is probably minimal but I'll find out tomorrow.

Anything else I should do?

bazz26

Get a quote from a body shop to fix it and then give the other party the option to pay it out of their own pocket or you go through their insurance. How it is fixed is up to you, a smart dent repair might be sufficient but there could also be damage that is not visual from the outside.

exaisle

I'd be inclined to get a quote and give him the opportunity to cough up himself for it within a day or so.

Kintarō Hattori

bazz26 wrote: »

Get a quote from a body shop to fix it and then give the other party the option to pay it out of their own pocket or you go through their insurance.

Would you get a quote from the mechanic as well as a body shop?

bazz26

Not sure what a mechanic is going to do unless there is something mechanically wrong with the car as a result of the shunt. A body repair shop is who would be qualified to assess physical damage rather than a mechanic.

EPAndlee

I'd it's only damage to a wing then I'd do it outside of insurance if he's going to pay for it. It won't cost much to paint a wing. Go to a bodyshop for an estimate then show it to the fella that hit you if he agrees to pay then get money off him, if not go through insurance

aha_sender

Get a quote from a garage who does vehicle repairs. Give him the option

homingbird

Inform your insurance straight away incase they back out you can tell them the other party agreed to pay if they dont you have some come back. Dont mess around with something like this or they could wind up making a claim against you.

StereoSound

Kintarō Hattori wrote: »

Hey Folks,

So I was in a retail park tonight and I was hit by a van that was reversing out of a space. I just installed a dashcam last week so that was fortunate. Anywhoo it's clearly his fault, he admitted that he may have been on the phone and not heard me blowing the horn as he was reversing.
So my question is this. It was a fairly low speed impact and it looks like there's minimal cosmetic damage, some scuffing and a small dent. It was a work van so he'll probably be crucified if we go through insurance companies. I'm fully insured, taxed and NCT'd. I imagine the first thing I should do is to get an inspection done by my mechanic tomorrow and a quote for the cosmetic repair to the drivers side front panel (Fiat 500).

Would you do it outside of insurance OR would you go through his insurance company? As I say, I think, damage is probably minimal but I'll find out tomorrow.

Anything else I should do?

I was recently in a similar situation, gave the guy a chance to pay by cash for some quotes I got. He agreed he would and in the end I had to go through his insurance because he didn't get back to me about paying me and ignored me. I wasted time driving around effing garages getting quotes to be ignored. Anyways personally I would just do the insurance route, save time and nonsense. He admitted liability to his insurance company when they contacted him after I put in the claim. I was worried he would deny it considering he was ignoring me but all is well. My car is going in on Friday morning to be repaired.

Kintarō Hattori

bazz26 wrote: »

Not sure what a mechanic is going to do unless there is something mechanically wrong with the car as a result of the shunt. A body repair shop is who would be qualified to assess physical damage rather than a mechanic.

Cool. I work out in Park West and there's a body repair place there as far as I know.

homingbird

Just tell him to contact your insurance company after you tell them he can sort it out with them you shouldnt have to do running around that is what we have insurance companys for.

Fuzzy Clam

Go down the insurance route.
I used to drive a van for a company and it was no big deal if we had a minor prang. The boss was only worried if there was a potential law suit.

Kintarō Hattori

Fuzzy Clam wrote: »

Go down the insurance route.
I used to drive a van for a company and it was no big deal if we had a minor prang. The boss was only worried if there was a potential law suit.

I'm guessing he's self employed so it'd probably have a big effect on his policy. Regardless of whether we go through insurance or settle outside, should I inform my own that someone hit me?

colm_mcm

It'll only have an effect if you claim. Inform them anyway. Onus will be on him to pay up at that stage.

EPAndlee

When someone hit my car, it was pretty bad but she paid for it outside insurance so I didn't bother telling my insurance. Should cost around 200 to paint a wing

Sue Pa Key Pa

homingbird wrote: »

Just tell him to contact your insurance company after you tell them he can sort it out with them you shouldnt have to do running around that is what we have insurance companys for.

There is no point in him contacting your insurance company. They have no part to play in you obtaining satisfaction from a 3rd party unless you put the claim through under your own policy and it is part of their recovery

Fuzzy Clam

colm_mcm wrote: »

It'll only have an effect if you claim. Inform them anyway. Onus will be on him to pay up at that stage.

That may not be true.
Even informing them but not claiming could affect you.

Kintarō Hattori

Fuzzy Clam wrote: »

That may not be true.
Even informing them but not claiming could affect you.

Hmm so to inform or not to inform.

Sue Pa Key Pa

Kintarō Hattori wrote: »

Hmm so to inform or not to inform.

It is a very important condition in your policy that you notify your insurer of any incident which may give rise to a claim. Don't ignore it

newcavanman

Kintarō Hattori wrote: »

I'm guessing he's self employed so it'd probably have a big effect on his policy. Regardless of whether we go through insurance or settle outside, should I inform my own that someone hit me?

Ive been driving my own vans for over 30 yrs. Ive had a few minor tips and have always paid myself with out going near the insurance company. If the guy owns the van himself, he will likely look to sort it out, as he will. Be aware that a tip costing a fewhundred could cost him thousands in lost bonus
Personally I try to trust people. I find that usually you will get a good vibe or not, as the case maybe. Id liketo think that people are decent, in general, and therefore treat others as youd like them to treat you.
However of course, when it comes to cyclists, all of the above goes out the window......

Kintarō Hattori

Called my insurance company to let them know. I'll look for a quote today from a local body repair company and present that to him.

sunnysoutheast

OSI wrote: »

Every time a thread is started in this forum along the lines of "Got hit, other driver admitted liability and wants to pay cash" it's almost inevitably followed up a month or 2 later with "I've been chasing this ****er ever since and they're just ignoring me".

I like to give people the benefit of the doubt but when it comes to people putting their hand in their own pocket, I trust no one.

You forgot the multiple "he said the quote is too expensive and his brother in law's dog groomer's sister's ex-bf's brother does car repairs and to get a quote from him" stages

Just go through his insurance, unless the cash is handed over when quote presented. He can always buy the claim off them if he wants.

seagull

Pick the repair shop you want to use, get a quote and let him know the cost. He then has the option of paying himself, or it goes through his insurance. Don't run around getting multiple quotes, and don't let him dictate where you get the repair done. Make sure if he's paying that you get the money before you do the repair. If the repair is going to take a while, ask him to cover any necessary car hire.

Kintarō Hattori

Got a quote today, to put it back to what it was will be in and around €380 plus Vat. It'll be interesting to see how that goes down with him.

Kintarō Hattori

Positive outcome, the chap paid up in full, outside of insurance.

Sexual Chocolate

For the sake of 380 he made the right choice.

Craftylee

I love how you're doing him a favour and his excuse was he was on the phone while driving... Lucky there wasn't a cyclist/pedestrian walking behind him I guess

Kintarō Hattori

Craftylee wrote: »

I love how you're doing him a favour and his excuse was he was on the phone while driving... Lucky there wasn't a cyclist/pedestrian walking behind him I guess

We all make mistakes driving and no-one was hurt. I'm sure if it had of been serious no-one would have let him away with his lapse of judgement.