44 replies to this topic

[Twisty]

Damn, i hope you feel better in the morning mate, i had the same thing happen to me about 8 years ago on Christmas eve a hire car land rover went in the back of my old mini as i was stationary in traffic, the insurance company wrote my car off i was gutted, hope you get it all sorted and it all pans out well for you.

[SamMayfair1996]

Dont forget the paint job to your colour wants with the blending to your original colour, panels and stuff can be cheap enough (excluding the actual repair labour) but the paint can be expensive.

Its your pride and joy afterall, you want it immaculate and to your exact standard.

She hit you= she has to fix it exactly how you are happy with it.

[MiniLuke]

Insist on going through insurance. Why should she get to dictate how the repairs are done? It was her fault.

If you accept cash you are assisting her to deceive her insurance company.

[minisilverbullet]

I would call the paint shop who sis your car and quickly check if they have some of the mix left. Or at least how thy think a match would be. Personally If I had just hat the car resprayed i would be demanding to have the whole car done again, I would not stand for the slightest difference in shade.

I know insurance sucks in the UK (your premium goes, up after an accident regardless of liability). I would really be inclined to go through insurance though.

Or at least get this woman to admit liability in writing and then get a quote for the highest quality repair, and then see what she says. Most non mini people, see an old mini and assume it will cost a couple of hundred quid to repair. When the truth hits them , they likely change their tune.

And be very careful with your neck and back. we where in accident a year and a half ago. We where stationary at a set f lights until some nob ploughed into the back of us. My partner is still suffering, having attend intensive rehab at a specialized hospital, being fired as she could no longer do her particular job, due to the injury. Being absolutely bent over a barrel by the insurance company, who refuse to acknowledge her injury, despite numerous specialized doctors, CT scans etc. If your neck is stiff in the morning get to the doctors. Saying that I was totally fine after our accident .

Edited by minisilverbullet, 19 August 2012 - 10:15 PM.

[Ethel]

If you suspect you have more to claim for than a bent Mini you should seriously consider involving her (and your) insurance.

It will be in the small print that you have to notify your insurer of all accidents, if you don't it could invalidate, or at least compromise, your cover. However, you can expect your next premium to be higher - people who have had an accident (whether it's their fault or not) are seen as a higher risk. That's why people settle in cash, it's naughty & could possibly turn nasty though. She will also hope to keep her no claims bonus, so it benefits her more than you (unless your premium is so huge that even a small "accident surcharge" runs into hundreds.

If you did go for cash then make sure it's clear she has only paid the garage bill. You would still be able to claim for other costs and injuries, provided they can be attributed to the accident. It would actually be worse for her, she might find she's invalidated her cover and she will have as good as admitted she was to blame by paying the bill.

[mab01uk]

If anyone is hurt you should always call the Police and get an incident number recorded, often a good idea to do that anyway as the X5 driver may later deny all knowledge and it then becomes your word against hers without any witnesses......

Edited by mab01uk, 19 August 2012 - 10:54 PM.

[joshspragg]

just keep every option open. get quotes for repairs, personally i would go through insurance

[Jasonc]

Sorry to see this has happened to your pride and joy!

I hope everything works out and quickly for you!

[Sam Walters]

1200 I would say.

[bensheward]

well chaps. terrible news.
£2500 to reapir fully. needs a whole new rear end.
And guess what. she isnt insured! happy bloody days.
Neck and back are slightly worse, so getting myself to the hospital this morning.
She has said she will pay for repairs but at the moment i cant get hold of her, she was certainly shocked by the price.
Im seriously worried, im only 22 so insurance isnt cheap, i really could do without a claim. does anyone know if you claim through your insurance the company take her to court?
Im seriously pi**ed off. yesterday i had a mint 99 cooper, not its in a terrible state with no-one paying except me!

thanks for all the kind comments.

[Brams96]

Did you take any pics of her car or licence plate as proof she was there? Contact the police with her reg number & any witnesses numbers, do it now before she gets a chance to screw you over. Also contact your insurance company, your premium may go up but it will still be better than having to fork out £2.5k yourself to repair your car.

I can't believe someone who can afford to buy & run a BMW X5 isn't insured!? The bloody cheek of it!!

Edited by Brams96, 20 August 2012 - 05:49 PM.

[Tamworthbay]

There is a fund that all insurers contribute to cover losses from uninsured drivers. It shouldn't affect your insurance any more than any other no fault claim. Do you have legal cover? If you are injured they with take her to court on your behalf for damages, if she isn't insured she will pay directly, but be prepared for every sob story ever to the judge. If nothing else it will give you some satisfaction.

[malcs_miniturbo]

thats sad news mate id get the police involved if she starts pissing around and contact your insurance as sounds like she is ducking diving and you wont end up with anythink like say she has no bloody insurance anyway what a joke imagine she nocked someone down all i say is i woundnt want to be her.if she dosent answer her phone say il be contacting the police if no response as you dont want leave it to long hope you get it sorted

[62S]

You are bound to be a bit stiffer a couple of days after the event with whiplash and the like - the question is do you want to keep your car and get it repaired?

Just bear in mind that if you do go through insurance they may well Cat C or Cat D your pride and joy despite what you think it is worth.

Presumably the X5 was insured, she just wasn't insured to drive it?

[MrBounce]

Contact the Police and your Insurance company IMMEDIATELY. This idiot needs prosecuting and taking off the road. Take some advice from the CAB too re some possible compensation from her.

Edited by MrBounce, 20 August 2012 - 09:04 PM.