how does it work with car insurance?

[nextqueen]

Someone opened their car door on me on Wednesday while i was sitting inside it. She didnt realise i was there. i got out to have a look and there was a line going across the door, a dark line, not showing any white. i got her to put her window down and she denied it first of all until i said i was sitting inside. i took her name, reg and phone number. So, do i contact my insurance company first for them to claim off hers or do i go and see how much it would cost to repair, i assume i will have to have the whole door panel done?

[whiskeryron]

I'm afraid in this day & age it's one of the hazards of supermarket parking its happening to all of us. If I were you I would just accept it & touch it up yourself. It will cost a fortune to have the door resprayed & you will probably lose your no claims bonus. In my opinion not worth the hassle.

W Ron.

[hc4361]

Was she the driver or the passenger?

[nextqueen]

she was the driver. Surely if i claim off her insurance then it wont cost me anything nor any excess will it? I was on a deserted post office car park, the driver parked right next to me and we were the only two on there, typical eh. i wont lose my no claims will i if she admits liability will i?

[bednobs]

you will have made a claim and your insurance will go up. It might be best to find out how much it costs to repair and if it's little repair it yourself or come to an agreement with her to pay it. Impossible to say what you you will need doing as we can't see it

[Kayless]

do not contact your own insurer, they will penalise you. Write to DVLA asking for her details explaining the scenario, then write to her asking for the cost of repairs, if she does not pay go to the small claims court and issue a claim. Stand well back, she will contact her insurer and they will deal with it.

[factor-fiction]

I had a similar experience and traced the driver's insurance company. They simply wrote back claiming that their insured denied that his door hhad hit my car. In the end I realised there was no proof so I let it drop and paid for the repair myself

[Old_Geezer]

There is the problem. You can give it a try and see if they capitulate, but if they continue to deny it then it'd be difficult, possiblty costly, to get proof.

[nextqueen]

oh dear, as i couldnt wait,i contacted my insurance company. they put it down as just notification and gave me the details of other person's insurers. really hope this doesnt affect my premiums.

[Kayless]

It will, never tell your insurer unless you really have to.

[jo1975]

I recently had a bump with someone, and we offered to settle without insurance companies being involved. The other party refused so we notified my insurance company a claim would be put in.

The third party then decided to settle, so i called my insurance company and told them to cancel the claim.

Two months later my policy was nearly doubled as i has told them about an accident. Even when i explained no claim was made they stated an accident has occurred.

Be very careful if you do tell your isurance comapny as the info is also shared with other companies, so you have to tell other companies if you seek new quotes.