reversed into neighbours car... advice? insurance?!

[DottyDuck]

Hello BCF, well, while i was reversing my car off the drive I did a major mistake (still embarrassed to this moment) and reversed into my neighbours car. His car is a Citreon C1 (or of a car similar) and he gave me the option whether to go straight through insurance or to pay privately. I have asked him to get a quote which he is going to but I have a feeling it's going to be expensive, maybe £350 plus (just for his car).

Both cars are dinted, as sad as it is, my car and bike are my pride and joy and having a dint in my car (even though it's a 10 years old Ford Fiesta Zetec 1.4 on a 55 plate) is actually gutting. According to my insurance documents, I have a £150 excess and after getting a few quotes for when my insurance is due, it is going to cost about £130 more with the accident declared as my fault and a total of £1500 (i have no idea what it will cost- but can't imagine it will be more than that?!).

So, is insurance the saviour in this matter?
opinions?
inb4 idiot, happened because chain is slack, subframe twisted, never drive again, etc
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CBT- 2012 Theory- 18/12/13 Mod 1- 07/01/14 Mod 2- 15/01/14
Old Bike: Zontes Panther 125cc - wrote off Current Bike: Kawasaki ZR7

[Ben90]

Pics of damage? are we talking a dent which can be pulled out?

C1s are made entirely of plastic anyway aren't they?

That's the insurance bump (fnar) for one year, don't forget it'll be on your record for five.

Oh and poor obs.
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Yamaha FZ6 S2

[DottyDuck]

[lihp]

Write off.
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covent.gardens: lihp is my most favourite member ever

[DottyDuck]

[grr666]

Do not tell insurance if your neighbour is well known to you as a 'good egg' and you are certain of that.
If he's an arse, use insurance.
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Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[lihp]

[Ben90]

The scuffing to the bumper can probably be buffed out by hand to an acceptable standard for a 10 year old car. the dent in the rear quarter wants pulling out and repainting.

Genuinely have a go over it with some t-cut first. My neighbour reversed into the corner of my car, no dents but the scuffing looked really bad yet it disappeared with half an hour of t-cut and elbow grease. Doing this will also tell you if the paint is broken, as it won't buff out.

But before all this, see what your neighbour comes up with and pay him off first. If it's not too eye-watering I'd just stump up. Again, you'll have to declare the claim for five years. (5 x £130) + £150 = lots.
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Yamaha FZ6 S2

[Raffles]

From the moment that either of you seeks out an estimate, a bombardment of communication from parasites will begin.
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A good loser will always be a loser.

[DottyDuck]

thanks for all the messages

my neighbour is a good egg however he is going to an actual dealership... which is just horrendous. Would I be rude to suggest a different garage away from a actual dealership?

Edit: my dad suggested just re doing the paint (as someone said maybe rebuffing if possible) and just leave the dint? maybe this is an option?

what do you class as eye watering? if his damage is similar to mine what price would i be looking?

thanks again
____________________
CBT- 2012 Theory- 18/12/13 Mod 1- 07/01/14 Mod 2- 15/01/14
Old Bike: Zontes Panther 125cc - wrote off Current Bike: Kawasaki ZR7

[Chuffin Nora]

I hear that Botswana is very nice this time of year.

(No extradition treaty with the U.K.!)
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There's a fine line between integrity

[Boxing]

Personally I'd go to a trusted garage, NOT the dealership, if he agree'd to do that, I'd pay for it but make sure I get fully signed receipt's proving you paid for the damage to be repaired. Maybe even keep the garage invoice and pay by card if possible.

As for your Focus, if you went through insurance, they might write it off. Depending on value.

[Ste]

[Minty]

Wondering why OP paid for comprehensive insurance. Isn't it for exactly this scenario?
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My fingers smell of your mum.

[BrownTrousers]

Had a similar thing myself.

I asked the neighbour if we could avoid insurance and just get a quote privately. She went to main dealer and got quoted >£800 for a tiny dent in front bumper.
I didn't feel I could go and ask her to get a cheaper quote from a normal garage since the whole thing was my fault.

So, it went through insurance. Actual cost of claim was £300 and since it was my only accident in 9 years my premium didn't change the next year.

I ignored the very minor damage to the back of my car, so didn't have to pay my excess.

Don't really know how easy it is for people to give you advice cos it all depends on what insurer decides to do at renewal, which is a black art.

I just decided to go thru insurers in the end, after nine years of paying them and never getting anything in return, at least it saved me the immediate cash outflow.
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Ducati Multistrada 950 | Triumph Tiger 800 XR | Honda CBR500R | Yamaha YBR 125 Custom

[CyrilSwan]

Why didn't it cost you excess BT? I assume it's because you dealt purely with her insurers and left yours out of it?
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Current: Honda 2015 MSX125.
Previous: Honda 2012 CBF125.

[Ste]

The excess is payable when you're making a claim against your own policy.

So when you crash into someone else and they claim against your insurance, you don't pay anything (until renewal time ).

"I assume it's because you dealt purely with her insurers and left yours out of it"

The claim wouldn't have had anything to do with her insurers.

[smegballs]

Damage to your car is just war-wounds.

My subaru in straya was dented to fuck, with heavy sun and hail damage...

Still drove fine, so just drove on....

[Ste]

How old is the neighbours C1?

[J0Al1]

Doubt I would get your car repaired if it was mine, unless lots of spare money lying around.

Tricky ref neighbour; I'd be inclined to make them an offer that you think is fair (based on some research) and let them decide or just go via insurance comapnies.

[angryjonny]

I've been quoted £450 for a new windscreen through insurance and £150 if paying myself, in the past. Garages rip off insurers. Insurers don't care as they just pass the costs on to us.

When getting quotes, make sure the garages know a real person will be paying. Some (not all) may come in at a fraction of the cost.

[waffles]

[lihp]

[DottyDuck]

Thanks everyone

I have good news (well as good as it gets in this scenario lol) neighbour has told my dad it's 180.. I was at work so gonna get him to print a quote off and sign and date it to prove I have paid.

With regards to my car, I will wait until the mot is due (December) service it and see if it needs anything done. After that I will consider my options...

Thanks everyone
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CBT- 2012 Theory- 18/12/13 Mod 1- 07/01/14 Mod 2- 15/01/14
Old Bike: Zontes Panther 125cc - wrote off Current Bike: Kawasaki ZR7

[Thorn]

Wimmin drivers, can't even make it out of the driveway without causing trouble.
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Skyjet SJ125-26 (Dead) || Yamaha FZS600 (Dead) || Kawasaki ZX-9R C2

"Everything you touch turns to disappointment."