Made a dent into a car, help

Former Member

Hi, i would say about 3 weeks ago i had a 5/10mph crash into someones car, it was a slight dent/scratch, nothing damaged to my car.

we pulled over and then i gave him my phone number/ address and insurance company, all he gave over was his name/mobile - i asked if this was all i need, ive only been driving a two months and its my first. He said that he would rather deal it together rather than through insurance comapnys (said ill be hit hard)

He went quiet for 2 weeks and texted me last night saying he has seen the person that could fix it, just received a quote for £350.

He said hell send me a statement, what if he has no insurance? and im sending him £350.. what if his mate is only fixed it for £50 and making a new quote for £350, pocketing him/them £300... would it best to pay £350 of go through insurance (think i gotta pay £100 no matter what). dunno

Former Member

often cars will need a new panel after a dent, it does depend though. but for example I know of a micra which had some dents to its front wing and it was ~£300 to replace the whole front wing.

Former Member

If I were you I would tell the insurance company.

Never trust anyone who tells you that "someone" can fix it. For all you know he might do a bad job.


My sister had a bump and the guy who crashed in to her said this. She went through her insurance company and it didn't cost her a thing (she's 30). It would have cost her just over £1000 altogether.



Go through your insurance joshmeister. If your over 25 you can get a courtesy car, while yours is being repaired.

And it will be repaired up to a high standard.

Former Member

What car was it, and where was the damage? If you're paying for the damage, you want a good receipt drawn up and signed by both parties. Something along the lines of the matter now considered closed, no further action to be taken by either side, and the owner of the car is responsible for their own repairs and the quality thereof after accepting the amount offered by you as full and final settlement.

Take legal advice though...

Former Member

Mr.Ferrari09 wrote: »

If I were you I would tell the insurance company.

Never trust anyone who tells you that "someone" can fix it. For all you know he might do a bad job.


My sister had a bump and the guy who crashed in to her said this. She went through her insurance company and it didn't cost her a thing (she's 30). It would have cost her just over £1000 altogether.



Go through your insurance joshmeister. If your over 25 you can get a courtesy car, while yours is being repaired.

And it will be repaired up to a high standard.

Its his car that was damaged

Former Member

How much no claims do you stand to lose?

Former Member

joshmeister wrote: »

Its his car that was damaged

I know I can read ya know! lol

Former Member

Big Gay wrote: »

How much no claims do you stand to lose?

being new to this,

i think i gotta pay £200 no matter what
and i dont think any as ive only been driving a couple of months.

Former Member

Hang on, who's fault was it? If it was his fault then he can pay it himself.

Also, if someone is claiming on your insurance then you don't pay the excess. The excess is only for damage to your vehicle. As you've only been driving a few months I'd speak to the insurance company, if they don't bump your premiums up then I'd go through them.

Former Member

Only avoid going through the insurance companies if its damage that you have caused to your car, and nobody else is involved, like say reversing into a bollard or something. Otherwise go through the insurance firm or you might get screwed over by this bloke!

Former Member

I would go through insurance company too.

Former Member

Always go through the insurance company -

they are the experts at this sort of thing. Also they have huge teams dedicated to stop people getting ripped off (and them having to pay out more)

Former Member

Whowhere wrote: »

Hang on, who's fault was it? If it was his fault then he can pay it himself.

Also, if someone is claiming on your insurance then you don't pay the excess. The excess is only for damage to your vehicle. As you've only been driving a few months I'd speak to the insurance company, if they don't bump your premiums up then I'd go through them.

I didn't know that, is that true? We are just about to sort out a bump my husband had with his work van and he was responsible - no damage to the van but a bit to the other car... will this mean we don't have to pay any excess?