dodgy or what?

Question

I have accidently scrapped a tiny bit of paint of the silver bumper of my neighbour's car - and more definitely damaged the side of my car in a longer scratch on my paint . Last night it was nothing to worry about , but today he is asking £60 for it!! Surely noone would care for such a tiny scratch on the bumper but do I have a choice? I plan to ask my insurance for advice. But what do you think?

Answer 1

Depends on quotes for fixing the scratch. Most insurance companies wont cover the first 50 to 100 pounds of a claim anyway.

It may be worth just paying up.

Just wait a couple of months and give it a good kicking when hes not around

Answer 2

Pay the £60 out of your pocket and make it go away. Most likely your excess is more than that, so you're going to be out of pocket that much anyway. No need to involve the insurance and lose your no claims bonus for such a measly amount, right?

BTW, if it were my motor, I'd certainly care about the scratch! The paint is there for looks as well as to protect the materials underneath from deterioration. Once it's been damaged, not only does it look like crap, but will start to corrode as well.

Answer 3

Hiya,

I would not put the claim through your insurance company unless you have a protected no claims bonus.

You only have to pay an excess if you claim for your own vehicle. A Third Party claim does not mean you have to pay an excess.

What you have to take into account is will your insurance go up by more than the cost of the claim. If so then pay the damage yourself.

Good luck

Answer 4

You could ask your insurance company just like he can make a claim off you. Did you an entire re-spray of a car could run into thousands of pounds, especially if his car is sprayed metallic or glittered or special effects like a colour that changes in the sun? Surely £60 nothing compared to paying off higher insurance premuims.

Answer 5

if you have admitted liability you have to pay. I would not go to your insurance company though. You will have to pay an access and they will increase you premium. Speak to him and get a second quote. £60 sounds a lot for a small scratch. If he will not let you pay cash and wants to do it through you insurance really smash his car up so it will be worth your while. (joking) good luck though.

Answer 6

I'd pay him the 60 and get him to sign off that he agrees that's full & final. Because you can't repaint a bumper, they're all made of plastic now, and it usually costs about $1000 usd to replace the bumper (can't repair it!) so 60 is getting off cheap!

Answer 7

Buy some T-cut from your local car accesories shop rub it on over the scratch that should remove it . If you dont know what t-cut is just go in the car accessory shop and ask for it they will even explain how to use it.

Answer 8

the same thing happened to my son and he ended up paying a lot more because he contested it .their is normally a fifty to one hundred pounds excess on insurances and your neighbour must know that if you do pay him for the damage make sure you get a reciept to say that all is settled and no further claims will be made ,good luck.

Answer 9

just pay the sixty quid and get a signed reciept of him /her and makes sure it has the information regarding the damage and the date.your insures will only tell u the same really and if u claim on your insurance, your premium will go up a lot more than the sixty quid,cheaper to pay up now.

Answer 10

Well you did cause the damage, I would ask the bloke to get two written quotes and see which is cheaper. I wouldn't ask your insurance company as you may lose your no claims bonus.