I had some dopy tart driving her husbands BMW into the back of my wagon this morning while waiting at a roundabout. Thankfully it was a slow impact since I was stopped at the round about and she tried to pull out without looking that I was still in front of her. So presumably I need to take the car to a Subaru dealer for them to do an estimate of the damage before I get it fixed since never been shunted before?

 

You dont have to take it to a subaru dealer, just take it to a reputable bodyshop in your area

 

Yep as above, your within your rights to have it repaired anywhere you like.

 

Insurance involved ?

Shaun

 

I take it you exchanged details

 

For us to understand the situation, we need photos of the "dopy tart" ideally in stages of undress.

Unless of course she's a munter, in which case the law states she is in the wrong.

 

Assuming you have exchanged details, isn't it just a case of waiting for the Ins Co to get in touch and/or you informing them of what has happened, and then take it from there? They will talk you down the route you need to take, so I would be skeptical about taking it to a bodyshop at this stage without the Ins Co input as they may want to use their own/3rd party repiar shop, and may also want have the damage check over by an independant.

This is all I can offer from reading and listening from others that have been in your shoes, Im fortunate to have never have been put in this position personally so I cant relate from my own experience.

Good luck.

Rob

 

The lady asked if I could be repaired without getting insurance involved since she was only a named driver on her husband’s policy which is why I thought I should get some quotes then ask them for the money. But more people I talk to the more I keep getting told put it through the insurance. The damage to mine seems minor from what I can see the bumper on passenger side is loose and scratched and her BMW had no visible damage.

 

Go through the Insurance 100% its what you pay a premium for. Scoobys are renowned for having (c)rusty bumper support bars and this will probably have disintegrated on impact even though you cant see it.

 

go to a bodyshop asap and see what they say, then make your mind up if its worth getting the insurance involved.

 

Even if you are completely NOT at fault, which in this case, you are, your insurance WILL record it as a claim and your premiums will be affected.

Go private if they'll pay.

 

As above, I'd go private... I had a non fault claim a couple of years ago, had protected NCB; it still puts my premiums up 20-30%

 

Ah so its very minor, in which case I agree with alcazar, try and resolve it amongst both parties. Assuming its sub £500 damage to yours which it sounds to be, then its not worth an inurance job in my opinion. Bumpers are cheap, a repsray if required £200 max, plus labour.... £400 guessing total not knowing what your car is.

Ref bumper bars, Ive never seen a completely rotten REAR bumper bar. The front ones are suspeptical to corrosion, not sure about the rear, but that said it's very small so it wouldnt be much to replace.

Rob

 

Cheapest quote I have is £150 just for re-pray and re-fitting bumper on but still no idea if the bumper bar behind is damaged. I was going to ask will it affect my insurance even if it is going via her insurance if i went that route.

 

I've had several small bumps in the past, one non fault and one fault, both sorted outwith insurance although they were told of both incidents. If you don't actually claim via insurance you still need to let them know, in my case, insurance went from 600 a year down to 500 a year even with the fault incident! Law unto themselves insurance companies but we can't drive without them.

 

Spoke to my insurance company and they say since its 100% non fault it won’t affect my insurance costs or no claims so decided to go the insurance route since saves having to chase the woman for the money.

 

also, you don't have to take it to the bodyshop recommended by your insurer or theirs. take it to a reputable one & insurance will still pay for it once price is agreed.

 

Here's one.

Also, don't you have to pay the excess until it gets recovered from the other party? Maybe never? If she is a named driver then her cover is as good as her husbands, but his no-claims will suffer. If they have a £400 excess it will be worth their while to avoid the insurance claim. I would give them the opportunity first, then if they get arsey you can still pursue a claim through your insurance so long as you have notified them.

 

If it needs a new rear bar, you can get one cheap off e-bay.

However, the insurance repairers will go for new which is big money

 

If it needs a new rear bar, you can get one cheap off e-bay.

However, the insurance repairers will go for new which is big money

 

It's in the hands of the insurance company now since I now know it wont efect my NCD or renewal since it was 100% non fault of myself. I dont want to just get the bumper sprayed and refitted asking her for the money for that then find there is more damage under the bumper.

 

Why would you need to let them know, it's none of their business if no one is claiming,

 

Know Also it's surprising how people's stories change when they realise they will be landed a hefty bill.

Get a quote first.

Not surprisingly, insurance companies think that if you keep having lots of minor shunts that you may be a bigger risk than someone with a real 'no accident' status, therefore you would attract a higher premium. Non-disclosure of such material facts could affect your ability to make a claim.

 

What speedking said, also it is my belief that if you are seen to pay out x amount, the risk becomes smaller as you are willing to pay x yourself IYSWIM....