Minor accident advice wanted

[PaulR83]

After some advice please.
Someone bumped into the rear of my almost brand new Audi S3 when sat at traffic lights. They admitted full liability there and then and all apologised. Was very low speed.
There are some very minor scuffs on my gloss black diffuser and audi only want £260 to supply the parts. If you didn't know there were there you wouldn't see the.
Tried texting the 3rd party about just buying the parts, heard nothing back.
If I go through my insurance surely this will be logged against the car and affect my premiums for something so cheap?
Been under the car and no visible damage anywhere. Loathed to pay myself, but fear it will cost me more in the long run.
Thanks

 

[soldas]

What's your insurance excess? If it were me sadly anything under £500 and I think I'd just suck it up and wish bad karma on the other driver.

My wife scuffed at brand new range in a car park the other month. Left details and we agreed to pay £750 of the £1200 the main dealer had quoted (they got other cheaper quotes but wanted to go main which is fair) we left them on send us your bank details and we will send the money over. 3 months later no further contact. I guess some people just have too much money.

 

[PaulR83]

Thanks, I am thinking the same.
Although surely I'd get my excess (£600) back if it was proved to be her fault. Rear ends are usually a slam dunk I thought.
More worried about having to declare it the next 5 years as bound to increase premiums.
But yes, some people have too much or aren't bothered.

 

[DaveD]

After some advice please.
Someone bumped into the rear of my almost brand new Audi S3 when sat at traffic lights. They admitted full liability there and then and all apologised. Was very low speed.
There are some very minor scuffs on my gloss black diffuser and audi only want £260 to supply the parts. If you didn't know there were there you wouldn't see the.
Tried texting the 3rd party about just buying the parts, heard nothing back.
If I go through my insurance surely this will be logged against the car and affect my premiums for something so cheap?
Been under the car and no visible damage anywhere. Loathed to pay myself, but fear it will cost me more in the long run.
Thanks

I believe that @Bav has some professional knowledge of the insurance industry, hopefully he'll offer his opinion.

 

[TrevorK]

More worried about having to declare it the next 5 years as bound to increase premiums

You should still report the incident to your insurance company (even if you don’t claim).

 

[whodat]

I would be tempted to forget it ever happened unless that breaches the terms of your insurance.
The other person admitted liability then and there - which means theoretically that they have breached the terms of their insurance. Not sure what would happen or who would have to chase up who or whether insurers would even get involved - again, someone in the industry might be more helpful.

 

[Bav]

Technically, you're obliged to inform your insurer of any and all incidents, even if you don't intend to make a claim.

Non-fault claims can impact your future premiums, though this more likely if your insurer is unable to recover their costs from a third party insurer and where you have multiple non-fault incidents (as this speaks to a driver's hazard perception, their defensive driving capability and the type of the areas they drive through).

Liability-wise, what you describe is an open & shut case, so you should get your excess refunded IF you can place the third party at the scene and demonstrate [EDIT} beyond reasonable doubt on the balance of probabilities that they were responsible for the incident.

What evidence do you have that the third party was at fault or even that they present at the scene?

Things that help identity the third party and demonstrate their liability are...
- dashcam footage (ideal)
- independent witness (extremely useful)
- other occupants in your vehicle (useful)

Things that help establish a narrative that the third party was present at the scene are...
- knowing the colour, VRN and make/model of the third party's vehicle
- having paint transfer on your vehicle from the third party's vehicle
- knowing the third party's name, address and/or contact details

 

[PaulR83]

Thanks all. Split opinions here for sure. Hence why I'd ask.

So, no independent witnesses, passengers or dash cam, but have photo of her stood next to cars whilst touching. Also have her business card, but no address. She didn't take any of my details other than phone number.

Dont want the hassle of insurance but seems the right way to go.

 

[darkman884]

Iif the scuffs are so minimal they are hard to see, try polishing them out.
I think I would just crack on and not sweat it.
If they coughed up the 260 , I would just trouser it lol

 

[Bav]

Whichever way you go, consider getting front- and rear-facing dashcams.

 

[DXX]

If they deny being involved it’s your word against theirs unless you have an independent witness who will make a statement, video evidence of the vehicle in contact with yours, including ref’ plates.
I had a truck drive into my parked car, he reversed back a meter or two by the time I got my phone out to film it. He apologised, admitted liability, later his employer denied their truck was involved.
Dashcams would help.

 

[Paul Sussex]

Are ‘they’ happy to pay you without insurance (if they are claiming on their insurance then it’s recorded wether you like it or not - so you will need to do the same - and claim against them. If the don’t I would ask for what you think is fair - then decide if it is worth the insurance hassle.

 

[PaulR83]

I proposed that option via text but heard nothing back and don't want to call her and potentially risk an argument as we know people change their stories, even tho she didn't take any of my details other than mobile number.
Going to just log it I think and leave it.
No substantial damage to either vehicle. More of an annoyance I can't be dealing with.

Thanks all, much appreciated

 

[DXX]

I proposed that option via text but heard nothing back and don't want to call her and potentially risk an argument as we know people change their stories, even tho she didn't take any of my details other than mobile number.
Going to just log it I think and leave it.
No substantial damage to either vehicle. More of an annoyance I can't be dealing with.

Thanks all, much appreciated

It’s a UK legal requirement to exchange details, that means you give them not wait for them if they are forthcoming.

Exchange Details (Legal Requirement)
You must exchange details with the other driver(s), pedestrians, or property owners involved. [1, 2]

• Full name and address.
• Vehicle registration number.
• Insurance company details. [1, 2]

Important: Do not admit liability or apologize at the scene, as this can affect your insurance claim. [1, 2]

 

[PaulR83]

Thanks DXX.
Lesson learnt there. Both of our first time. She had nothing with address on and didn't want to take any details and was very apologetic. I thought name and business card along with car reg and a few snaps would suffice.
Will log it with my insurance and let them decide what they want to do.

 

[Pauly]

Just to add my recent experience, young lady in a little audi A1 came up the inside of me at a merge and hit the side of my van (along with a parked car) she admitted full liability and her insurance co paid out in full, my vehicle was repaired and a courtesy van was provided whilst mine was being repaired.

Fast forward a few months to insurance renewal time and i now have to disclose a non fault claim and my renewal (on one vehicle) went up nearly £200, i still have a couple more policies to renew this year and will need to declare it for the next 5 years !! Going to be expensive !!

 

[DXX]

Will log it with my insurance and let them decide what they want to do.

I’d just take it on the chin, as @Pauly says ££££
Insurance policies state ‘report as soon as possible’, not sure when this accident happened but if it wasn’t very recent it could open a can of worms.

 

[PaulR83]

Thanks chaps.
Happened Friday afternoon. Will log today and won't cliam as the cost of the parts is tiny compared to two vehicles increasing premiums over 5 years I reckon.

 

[JumpShip]

I wouldn't even log it , think of the wording "have you had any accidents,claims or convictions in the last 5 years?"
They could still end up potentially sting you even if you log it and dont claim.

 

[Sasquatch]

Indeed. Id be inclined to not even mention it unless youre intending to claim.