Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Plankton on March 27, 2014, 09:33:34 pm

Title: Should I claim insurance
Post by: Plankton on March 27, 2014, 09:33:34 pm
Van was off the road for MOT etc so using the car for work, everything went well until I finished at 1530 when I was looking at my notebook a people carrier car took the paint of my front bumper and drove off into a nearby car park.You could feel the shunt and hear the noise but when I approached her exiting the car park she said she thought she had enough room so I took a photo of her silver paint on the front of my car and the slight scrap on the rear wheel arch of hers, she apologised and exchanged details.  Today her husband claims she has no recollection of this and that he has worked in the industry before and says I can just report it to the insurance company if I want but they will deny it as there I no paint transfer on there car. There advantage is that they own an S plate heap of crap and my disadvantage is mine is three years old and was in very good condition. I also clean there neighbours windows so I'm in there street ever month.
Title: Re: Should I claim insurance
Post by: deeege on March 27, 2014, 09:55:53 pm
Have you got business insurance on your car?  Seperate cover is required if you are using it for work, even just for one day. Could be a problem.
Title: Re: Should I claim insurance
Post by: Plankton on March 27, 2014, 09:58:26 pm
Yes business insurance in place, parked legally
Title: Re: Should I claim insurance
Post by: PoleKing on March 27, 2014, 10:00:36 pm
Nope. Not worth it.
Find a decent small spray shop and sort it yourself.
The insurance will bend you over for 5 full years at the slightest hint of a scrape.
Fault or non.
It's a real PITA but you've just gotta suck it up.
I was too honest for my own good last summer.
Scraped a car of some bitch.
Found her house. Told her. Said I'd pay for it, cash. She said said she's having none of it.
Was on 9 years NCD. Now on 2. For the sake of a few hundred quid spraying her POS soft roader.
My advice: keep schtum. Pay for it yourself. And block her drive every time you clean in her road. (RobertPhil would be proud  :P)
Title: Re: Should I claim insurance
Post by: H20cleaning on March 27, 2014, 10:01:47 pm
This happens all the time, if you exchanged details that is your proof that she admitted it at the time:)
Title: Re: Should I claim insurance
Post by: Marc Stock on March 27, 2014, 10:14:06 pm
The car insurance industry has really gone to pot.

I had some old duffer take off my wing mirror whilst I was doing a job. If it wasn't for a good Samaritan coming to find me, stopping them from driving off I wouldn't of been able to prove fault.

Now get this right, even with them admitting fault, and my witness I still haven't been able to get their insurance company to settle it. Turns out that all they have to do is not agree with the way the events happened, which is enough to drag it out as long as possible.

Gave up in the end, couldn't be bothered, fixed it myself and it looks as good as before. Car insurance isn't fit for purpose anymore.
Title: Re: Should I claim insurance
Post by: AuRavelling79 on March 27, 2014, 10:34:06 pm
Van was off the road for MOT etc so using the car for work, everything went well until I finished at 1530 when I was looking at my notebook a people carrier car took the paint of my front bumper and drove off into a nearby car park.You could feel the shunt and hear the noise but when I approached her exiting the car park she said she thought she had enough room so I took a photo of her silver paint on the front of my car and the slight scrap on the rear wheel arch of hers, she apologised and exchanged details.  Today her husband claims she has no recollection of this and that he has worked in the industry before and says I can just report it to the insurance company if I want but they will deny it as there I no paint transfer on there car. There advantage is that they own an S plate heap of crap and my disadvantage is mine is three years old and was in very good condition. I also clean there neighbours windows so I'm in there street ever month.

Write this and put it through their door.

Dear Madam,

You damaged my vehicle by driving against it in your vehicle (Reg no and model) while I was stationary and parked. I have photographs of the damage to prove it. You admitted this at the scene. Your husband has now told me on the phone that you will deny it. I am putting this through my insurers and if you or your insurer do not pay for the damage I will take whatever legal means at my disposal to recover my costs from you.

You may feel that you can do the immoral thing and "get away" with this. I hope you have been given cause to reflect. You have caused damage to my vehicle and I believe it is only fair and reasonable that you be held responsible for your mistake.

My estimates for the damage are enclosed (£XXX).

If you follow your husband's advice to deny this please be assured that I will seek redress as outlined above. I will also seek any costs that incur from this point onwards.

Yours sincerely,




Then inform your insurers. Then forget about it.

Do not slash any of their tyres.
Title: Re: Should I claim insurance
Post by: CleanClear on March 28, 2014, 12:00:19 am
Van was off the road for MOT etc so using the car for work, everything went well until I finished at 1530 when I was looking at my notebook a people carrier car took the paint of my front bumper and drove off into a nearby car park.You could feel the shunt and hear the noise but when I approached her exiting the car park she said she thought she had enough room so I took a photo of her silver paint on the front of my car and the slight scrap on the rear wheel arch of hers, she apologised and exchanged details.  Today her husband claims she has no recollection of this and that he has worked in the industry before and says I can just report it to the insurance company if I want but they will deny it as there I no paint transfer on there car. There advantage is that they own an S plate heap of crap and my disadvantage is mine is three years old and was in very good condition. I also clean there neighbours windows so I'm in there street ever month.

If there is no damage to your car and the paint scrape Tcuts off i'd leave it and trash their car at a later date. If there was damage then i'd claim.
Title: Re: Should I claim insurance
Post by: LT carpet cleaning on March 28, 2014, 05:47:56 am
Van was off the road for MOT etc so using the car for work, everything went well until I finished at 1530 when I was looking at my notebook a people carrier car took the paint of my front bumper and drove off into a nearby car park.You could feel the shunt and hear the noise but when I approached her exiting the car park she said she thought she had enough room so I took a photo of her silver paint on the front of my car and the slight scrap on the rear wheel arch of hers, she apologised and exchanged details.  Today her husband claims she has no recollection of this and that he has worked in the industry before and says I can just report it to the insurance company if I want but they will deny it as there I no paint transfer on there car. There advantage is that they own an S plate heap of crap and my disadvantage is mine is three years old and was in very good condition. I also clean there neighbours windows so I'm in there street ever month.

If there is no damage to your car and the paint scrape Tcuts off i'd leave it and trash their car at a later date. If there was damage then i'd claim.

Trash their car?  ::)roll
Title: Re: Should I claim insurance
Post by: windowswashed on March 28, 2014, 06:12:03 am
Always worth paying for no claims protection and legal aid insurance included in insurance policy. Have an accident ...then the legal team do all the work , not you, worth the extra IMO anyday.
Title: Re: Should I claim insurance
Post by: robertphil on March 28, 2014, 07:00:20 am
Nope. Not worth it.
Find a decent small spray shop and sort it yourself.
The insurance will bend you over for 5 full years at the slightest hint of a scrape.
Fault or non.
It's a real PITA but you've just gotta suck it up.
I was too honest for my own good last summer.
Scraped a car of some bitch.
Found her house. Told her. Said I'd pay for it, cash. She said said she's having none of it.
Was on 9 years NCD. Now on 2. For the sake of a few hundred quid spraying her POS soft roader.
My advice: keep schtum. Pay for it yourself. And block her drive every time you clean in her road. (RobertPhil would be proud  :P)
well its true you do have to get even ,for peace of mind .    but dont go totally over the top,no john rambo scenario
Title: Re: Should I claim insurance
Post by: CleanClear on March 28, 2014, 01:35:00 pm
Van was off the road for MOT etc so using the car for work, everything went well until I finished at 1530 when I was looking at my notebook a people carrier car took the paint of my front bumper and drove off into a nearby car park.You could feel the shunt and hear the noise but when I approached her exiting the car park she said she thought she had enough room so I took a photo of her silver paint on the front of my car and the slight scrap on the rear wheel arch of hers, she apologised and exchanged details.  Today her husband claims she has no recollection of this and that he has worked in the industry before and says I can just report it to the insurance company if I want but they will deny it as there I no paint transfer on there car. There advantage is that they own an S plate heap of crap and my disadvantage is mine is three years old and was in very good condition. I also clean there neighbours windows so I'm in there street ever month.

If there is no damage to your car and the paint scrape Tcuts off i'd leave it and trash their car at a later date. If there was damage then i'd claim.

Trash their car?  ::)roll

Yes, if someone exchanged details with me and then tried to have me off by denying an knowledge of anything thats what i'd do. Maybe saying "ok no problem, forget about it" might be a better option?
Title: Re: Should I claim insurance
Post by: Plankton on March 28, 2014, 07:55:24 pm
John Rambo scenario sounds like a great idea but trashing an old shed seems pointless. Got a rough quote from garage based on photos so it's less than insurance excess. Thanks for the replies.