Reversed into a car in supermarket car park?

Orlak2410 · 15-03-2020 12:18PM #1

Hi guys, I reversed into a car in a supermarket car park while my car and the other persons car were both in a queue of traffic waiting on a car to park. It was a stupid thing to do but I was in a hurry and my mind was elsewhere. There was minimal damage to their car (the bumper was a little bit scuffed up). They were nice about it and we agreed that I would get it fixed for them. They told me that they would get a quote and get back to me in the coming days. Two weeks later they contacted me saying they would get a quote and contact me in the next day or two. Now another two weeks has past and I still haven't heard anything from them. What should I do now? I kind of feel like I'm being messed around with and it has been bothering me wondering what is going to happen. Thanks.

Seth Brundle · 15-03-2020 12:23PM

Don't do anything - they may just leave it. What are you thinking of doing: forcing them into claiming off you?

Incidentally did you get some photos of the damage?

Orlak2410 · 15-03-2020 12:30PM

Seth Brundle wrote: »

Don't do anything - they may just leave it. What are you thinking of doing: forcing them into claiming off you?

Incidentally did you get some photos of the damage?

Yeah well that's why I have let them get onto me and not me getting onto them but what if they get onto me a month after the fact saying they brought it to a main dealer and got a new bumper and it ends up costing a fortune or what if they decide that they're neck is injured and want to file a personal injury claim?
What are the time limits after an accident that you have to do these things?

Seth Brundle · 15-03-2020 12:34PM

Have you informed your insurance company of the incident? Maybe for your own reassurance, do so.

Orlak2410 · 15-03-2020 12:37PM

Seth Brundle wrote: »

Have you informed your insurance company of the incident? Maybe for your own reassurance, do so.

It seems too petty to lose my no claims bonus over it.

Seth Brundle · 15-03-2020 12:41PM

It's not a claim. You're letting them know in case the other driver submits a PI claim.
Incidentally, they can get the car fixed in a main dealer if they wish and you can't say no.

Orlak2410 · 15-03-2020 12:50PM

Incidentally, they can get the car fixed in a main dealer if they wish and you can't say no.[/quote]

Is a month after it happened not too late to for them to expect me to get their car fixed? Anything could have happened to the car in the meantime that they could blame on me.
Don't get me wrong if they contacted me with a reasonable price to get it fixed I would have no problem but they are taking the piss leaving it a month.

pablo128 · 15-03-2020 12:54PM

They don't even have to get the car fixed. They could go to a main dealer for a quote and you have to pay. They could leave the bumper as is if they want, and there's nothing you can do.

silver2020 · 15-03-2020 12:56PM

Seth Brundle wrote: »

It's not a claim. You're letting them know in case the other driver submits a PI claim.
Incidentally, they can get the car fixed in a main dealer if they wish and you can't say no.

I would not do it - even a possible claim would lead to immediate rise in your insurance and inability to look elsewhere.

There was no claim of injury at the time, damage minimal.

I'd forget it until they get back to me. - if they get back

Orlak2410 · 15-03-2020 12:58PM

pablo128 wrote: »

They don't even have to get the car fixed. They could go to a main dealer for a quote and you have to pay. They could leave the bumper as is if they want, and there's nothing you can do.

There must be a time limit after an incident that you have to take action. Most things have time limits.

Orlak2410 · 15-03-2020 01:01PM

silver2020 wrote: »

I would not do it - even a possible claim would lead to immediate rise in your insurance and inability to look elsewhere.

There was no claim of injury at the time, damage minimal.

I'd forget it until they get back to me. - if they get back

Yeah I am leaving it but hypothetically I'm wondering how long after an incident do you have to take action be it for property damage or personal injury? Bearing in mind that they didn't contact the police or ask for my insurance details.

Tordelback · 15-03-2020 01:02PM

Orlak2410 wrote: »

There must be a time limit after an incident that you have to take action. Most things have time limits.

Not informal personal agreements.

Put it out of your mind, pay the money if/when they ask - if it's too much, make a counter offer. If it's way too much, as in worse than the likely hit to your NCB, let your insurance handle it.

Orlak2410 · 15-03-2020 01:09PM

Tordelback wrote: »

Not informal personal agreements.

Put it out of your mind, pay the money if/when they ask - if it's too much, make a counter offer. If it's way too much, as in worse than the likely hit to your NCB, let your insurance handle it.

Yeah I don't mind paying a reasonable cost to get it fixed. The damage was minimal so I can't imagine it being too much. Although it was my fault I still don't think it seems fair leaving it a month to contact me if they do.

Masala · 15-03-2020 01:12PM

I would let Insurance know about it. If no claim... then advise Insurance to update your file.

Whiplash could com3 down the line in15 months... and the Insurance co could leave u stuck with a €38k personal injuries claim. Better be safe

Fann Linn · 15-03-2020 01:13PM

Similar thing happened to me in a garage years ago. Like the op it was my fault. I tried to reverse back behind a petrol pump and hit a car which was entering the garage forecourt.

Minimal damage and we both exchanged details, rang the gardai, and they said they wouldn't get involved as a civil matter on private property but they would send out a car to check we were both insured etc. We both agreed that there was no need. I said that I would pay for repairs etc.
Move on two months and PMPA get in touch with me asking why I admitted liability, why I didn't report to them and a load of other questions. The other party had gone off, reported the accident to her insurance company and 'elaborated' the extent of the damage. It was pre mobile phone camera days so her word was accepted.
Pretty hefty increase in my premium the following renewal.
The op should report it to his insurance company.

Tordelback · 15-03-2020 01:17PM

Orlak2410 wrote: »

Yeah I don't mind paying a reasonable cost to get it fixed. The damage was minimal so I can't imagine it being too much. Although it was my fault I still don't think it seems fair leaving it a month to contact me if they do.

Definitely not fair, and you're clearly a decent skin to still be thinking about it at all. However, many people are under a huge amount of mental stress these past weeks, and its only rising, so I've adopted a policy of cutting everyone some slack as regards rudeness and thoughtlessness.

I commented because my own feisty elderly mother had her parked car badly whacked in a supermarket carpark the other week (not by Orlak2410!), and was fuming and gunning to find the sleeveen who drove-off via Tesco's security cameras, calling the Guards, getting multiple quotes, you name it. Now she's locked into her house with my frail father with us delivering their groceries, and oddly hasn't mentioned it for days.

Something like that may be happening to almost anyone, and scrapes on the bumper long forgotten.

Orlak2410 · 15-03-2020 01:19PM

Masala wrote: »

I would let Insurance know about it. If no claim... then advise Insurance to update your file.

Whiplash could com3 down the line in15 months... and the Insurance co could leave u stuck with a €38k personal injuries claim. Better be safe

I'm no solicitor but it stands to reason that if you want to file a personal injury claim a year or two down the line then the accident would have had to have been documented when it happened. Don't both parties have an obligation to report an accident.

Orlak2410 · 15-03-2020 01:24PM

Fann Linn wrote: »

Similar thing happened to me in a garage years ago. Like the op it was my fault. I tried to reverse back behind a petrol pump and hit a car which was entering the garage forecourt.

Minimal damage and we both exchanged details, rang the gardai, and they said they wouldn't get involved as a civil matter on private property but they would send out a car to check we were both insured etc. We both agreed that there was no need. I said that I would pay for repairs etc.
Move on two months and PMPA get in touch with me asking why I admitted liability, why I didn't report to them and a load of other questions. The other party had gone off, reported the accident to her insurance company and 'elaborated' the extent of the damage. It was pre mobile phone camera days so her word was accepted.
Pretty hefty increase in my premium the following renewal.
The op should report it to his insurance company.

This is what I'm worried about. People can come across as decent in person but then when they have time to think about it and see an opprtunity to make a few Bob they show they're true colours and don't care about the consequences to you. Money is the root of all evil.

feelgoodinc27 · 15-03-2020 01:27PM

Orlak2410 wrote: »

Yeah I am leaving it but hypothetically I'm wondering how long after an incident do you have to take action be it for property damage or personal injury? Bearing in mind that they didn't contact the police or ask for my insurance details.

I think you have two years to make a claim.

Fann Linn · 15-03-2020 01:28PM

Orlak2410 wrote: »

This is what I'm worried about. People can come across as decent in person but then when they have time to think about it and see an opprtunity to make a few Bob they show they're true colours and don't care about the consequences to you. Money is the root of all evil.

Two thing I learned that day.
Always look behind you when reversing and always report it to your insurance company.

Orlak2410 · 15-03-2020 01:29PM

Tordelback wrote: »

Definitely not fair, and you're clearly a decent skin to still be thinking about it at all. However, many people are under a huge amount of mental stress these past weeks, and its only rising, so I've adopted a policy of cutting everyone some slack as regards rudeness and thoughtlessness.

I commented because my own feisty elderly mother had her parked car badly whacked in a supermarket carpark the other week (not by Orlak2410!), and was fuming and gunning to find the sleeveen who drove-off via Tesco's security cameras, calling the Guards, getting multiple quotes, you name it. Now she's locked into her house with my frail father with us delivering their groceries, and oddly hasn't mentioned it for days.

Something like that may be happening to almost anyone, and scrapes on the bumper long forgotten.

Yeah I suppose you're right. I would have just rathered to have it nipped in the bud in a few days after it happened. I'm just concerned that they are up to something and are fobbing me off until it completed like what happened to that other commentor in the petrol station.

Orlak2410 · 15-03-2020 01:31PM

Fann Linn wrote: »

Two thing I learned that day.
Always look behind you when reversing and always report it to your insurance company.

I looked in one wing mirror and my rear view mirror and it was clear with the way their car was positiined.

Masala · 15-03-2020 01:36PM

Orlak2410 wrote: »

Don't both parties have an obligation to report an accident.

That’s what I am saying.

Had involvement in a situation whereby a Consultant signed off on a claimant that his soft tissue damage ‘could have’ been caused by earlier tip 12 months earlier and the claimant started a claim in PIAB for €38k. Not over yet ... and it’s well messy trying to get CCTV, statements etc at this stage which the claimant knows... hence the delay in bring8 g the claim. There are some right Cnts out there playing the system. Solicitors helping them are as bad

Del2005 · 15-03-2020 01:40PM

Orlak2410 wrote: »

Yeah I don't mind paying a reasonable cost to get it fixed. The damage was minimal so I can't imagine it being too much. Although it was my fault I still don't think it seems fair leaving it a month to contact me if they do.

You have no choice in how much you pay. They can get a quote from a main dealer and even low speed crashes can damage the crumble zone in a car.

My sister was recently the other side of a similar incident. She got a few quotes and a deal for the hire car and sent them on to the other person. They started taking the proverbial saying a buddy could do it etc. In the end she went through the insurance and the bill tripled.

gman2k · 15-03-2020 01:47PM

Seth Brundle wrote:

Have you informed your insurance company of the incident? Maybe for your own reassurance, do so.

As advised by a Garda before to me after something similar, You are under no legal obligation to report it to your insurance if there are no injuries and if you are sorting it out between yourselves.

Seth Brundle · 15-03-2020 01:51PM

gman2k wrote: »

As advised by a Garda before to me after something similar, You are under no legal obligation to report it to your insurance if there are no injuries and if you are sorting it out between yourselves.

I know. However, in Dec 2018 I rear ended a taxi at low speed. When we spoke he said he was fine. There was no damage and everything was cool. A month later and the gardai want my insurance details to pass onto him. There's a PI claim in progress currently. I've no idea what exactly he's claiming but I told my insurer that it was highly likely to be a bogus claim, a line that they're actively pursuing.

slavetothegrind · 15-03-2020 01:52PM

it is a condition of your policy that you report it, not doing so can leave you with no cover.
It won't hurt your policy unless the third party claims against it.

Orlak2410 · 15-03-2020 02:02PM

Seth Brundle wrote: »

I know. However, in Dec 2018 I rear ended a taxi at low speed. When we spoke he said he was fine. There was no damage and everything was cool. A month later and the gardai want my insurance details to pass onto him. There's a PI claim in progress currently. I've no idea what exactly he's claiming but I told my insurer that it was highly likely to be a bogus claim, a line that they're actively pursuing.

Unfortunately a lot of people are sly like that. Instead of doing the decent thing they'd have no problem in screwing you.

Orlak2410 · 15-03-2020 02:27PM

Orlak2410 wrote: »

Unfortunately a lot of people are sly like that. Instead of doing the decent thing they'd have no problem in screwing you.

Thanks everyone for the advice. Hopefully if I do hear back from them it will be a reasonable price and that will be it over and done with.

nuac · 15-03-2020 02:41PM

gman2k wrote: »

As advised by a Garda before to me after something similar, You are under no legal obligation to report it to your insurance if there are no injuries and if you are sorting it out between yourselves.

Mod
Do not rely on that advice, check your policy obligations

Orlak2410 · 15-03-2020 02:44PM

nuac wrote: »

Mod
Do not rely on that advice, check your policy obligations

I think you are technically suppose to report every accident but most reasonable people (and guards) know you're better off just sorting out a minor accident unofficially.

Reversed into a car in supermarket car park?

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