Hi all

someone has just reversed into the side part of my bonnet in a car park. It has also slightly scratched the bumper.

I have their details etc as we're both staying in the same hotel.

I told him it may be cheaper to go through his insurance (aren't the bonnets notoriously hard to repair?). He initialy said he'd give them a call and then he came back to me and asked if we could go down to a local repair centre to see how much it would be. I'm happy to do this to get a quote but I would obviously prefer to get any work done at a place recommended on here rather than just anywhere. (does anyone know a good place inor near Crawley/Gatwick?)

What I guess I'm asking is what happens now?

If he'd rather pay himself rather than go through his insurance (he's French and so is his insurance company) presumably I'm within my rights to take it somewhere of my choice (as long as it's not overly expensive)?

If he goes through his insurance do I liase with them rather than him personally?

Will they have a number of places on their list where the work can be done or will I be able to take it anywhere I choose?

Do I inform my insurance company and get them to liase with his company?

If he decides to pay for it himself do I still need to tell my insurance company?

Hope someone can shed some light on the process.

Joe

I don't think he will be insured over here and that is why he wants to pay him self Send Joe a pm or call him and see if he can arrange the restoration.

My fear is he could be stalling for time before doing a runner.

If he pays, which has has it benefits,ie no insurance to worry about it, then i dont think legally you can take it where you like, (may be wrong). But if it insurance then you take to a garage of your choice but his insurance may not be happy about it.
Surely it would be easier to get some cash of him and be done with it, Good luck

The cynic in me tells me, be careful. You really need to back up & prove without a shadow of doubt that he will indeed pay for the damage. I know what I would do. Once he's back in his own country things may prove a bit difficult if not sorted out.

Hi

Thanks for your replies.

Should have mentioned - he's over here long term so I don't think he'll be doing a runner. Also, there were no witnesses but he stopped and did the decent thing and told the place I'm staying what happened so I think he's an OK sort of bloke.

Thanks for this. Who's Joe and do you know where's he's based?

CountryCruising
Fiat coupé spares and servicing /restoration guy sorry he has a traders area best to see if you can call him send some pictures he will know how much it will cost roughly get the guy to pay Joe then take it to him and hope its not worse than it looks. Only problem is he is quite a way from you (currently ) but not from Warwickshire if my geography is right.

He is based in Herefordshire: Joe

Thanks for the info

If you agree to go down the cash route, legally you'll get no support if you later try and make a claim against him.

My fiancee had her 1007 hit in a car park, we had a note left with just a mobile number and when we rang the guy he wouldn't give his insurance details. Because we didn't have an address or details we were forced into him sorting it out in cash and we had a lot of hassle getting him to pay up and sort it out. We even went to the police in the end but they said given that we had agreed to sort it without insurance, they could not get involved.

Agreed with Hammy, although there are some honest people out there also.....

I won't run away to screw Joe. I'm just trying to find a sensible and honest way to sort this problem out.

Anyone got any info on the hood itself ? I just don't feel like going the easy route by just saying " oh you need a new hood...".
There are spare parts out there ( only found blacks and reds so far), and maybe the hood is actually repairable.

I sent a few photos to Joe and he's just texted me saying (based on looking at the pictures) it is repairable and would be between £475 and £575 to repair and respray. Will talk it over with you later Adrian.