RST

iTrader: (3)

My Gf phoned me today saying someone at college caught her car while they was parking.
My Gf was standstill parked. Women didn't want to go through the insurance but if she did how would my Gf stand? I'm sure I heard something that insurance company's go 50 50 in car parks

STeve

iTrader: (11)

its easier and quicker to deal outside thats for sure, get a quote and ask the woman to cough up, if she wont report her and go legal on it without delay

Tony @ Greenlight

Hi RST,

Sorry to see that your girlfriend's car has been damaged.

On the upside, Car park incidents are not automatically settled on a 50/50 basis and in the same way as with other types of accident an informed decision (based upon the specific circumstances) will be made as to who is responsible.

With your girlfriend being parked and the other driver making the manoeuvre they are clearly the cause of the incident.

If the other driver seems reasonable and with the damage being fairly light, i'd follow 1-PD's advice in giving the other driver a chance first.

You'll need to get an estimate for the damage and can then call the other driver with the detail, but be prepared for them to then reconsider when they see the actual cost and they may opt to switch to the Insurance route.

The other driver's Insurer will have a team (probably called something like first response) who are dedicated to dealing directly with damage caused by their policyholders. So rather than claiming though her own policy, your girlfriend can claim directly from the responsible driver's Insurance policy.

To be able to claim from the other drivers Insurer in this way, the other driver will have had to report the accident to their Insurer.

This would then save your girlfriend having to claim from her own Insurer and having to pay a policy excess, along with temporarily having her no claims bonus reduced (where not protected) by her own Insurer until they recovered their outlay and the claim was settled.

Hopefully the other party will be true to their word, but if it doesn't pan out like that either PM me or post here with what happens and i'll be able to help with the options to help you decide the best route to follow.

Kind regards

Tony

RichieST

iTrader: (2)

Can't say better than that Tony! Is there CCTV in the car park? I would say you need to get some proof just to be on the safe side. I see the rear lights are very heavily tinted, she could always say she didn't see her lights.....

Tony @ Greenlight

She can't really miss the lime green colour though

daz1968

I had a similar situation recently and have claimed direct from other insurer, they have agreed to pay for damage direct and supply hire car without me claiming off my own policy, mine is similar damage to that but front wing and bumper corner, quote was over a grand so doubt anyone would want to pay that much. Was easy to sort and other insurer inspected my car and approved repairs. I just wasn't expecting a quote so high.

RST

iTrader: (3)

Cheers Tony great help, bit of a update. Girlfriend went to fords and they quoted 900 to repair. Person who hit her has asked to go through insurance due to cost quiet high. My girl friend notified her insurance, just waiting to hear now. Funny thing was women goes didn't see it the car like you say must be blind look at the color lol.

Tony @ Greenlight

Hi RST,

I thought that may be the case, as once you get the actual repair bill it's usually higher than the Ł200-Ł300 the other person probably had in her mind for the repair cost.

Glad to see this is moving along for you now, but if you need a hand you know where I am.

Kind regards

Tony

P.S. Love the signature PIC of your car, that is one nice looking Escort

trigger-

That looks like a Fiesta Celebration limited edition based on the Zetec S, those Zetec S/ST bumpers are very expensive compared to the standard Fiesta bumpers

RST

iTrader: (3)

Cheers for advise mate, all repaired and sorted