Look what I found this morning... advice needed

[murphster]

Hi everyone,
Firstly this is a great site and I read it daily, I don't post too much because I can find most of what I need using the search

however I need some of you advise... I went out for work this morning and found this:

I have calmed down a quite a bit now but was I P*ssed! Obviously they did not leave their insurance details...

Sorry, the pics are really poor quality - what looks like blue paint is actually the bare metal and I don't think the door is damaged (apart from removing the plastic). The car looks really faded (yellow) in the pic but it is not.

I parked it up last night at about 10pm on sunday, just at the end of my street and when I went out at 8am this morning I saw the damage

Should I claim on my insurance or just get it repaired myself. I am 24 and pay £1000 (ish - it might be about £900) per year on insurance (3years ncb) and I have a £250 excess. I am guessing that they will want to replace the panel but it looks like that panel is huge!? it goes all the way to the front of the car. Any idea on how much would my preimum go up?

I do know someone who would make a good job of repairing it (I am assuming that it can be repaired?) but either way I am sure they are going to have problems matching the paint.

I am not sure what would be best - What would you do?

 

[m0rk]

they'll pull it out & fill the small bits in.

 

[DPJ]

You should be able to get that sorted for a fair bit less than your excess.

 

[dan__smith]

Sorry to see the damage mate...Get a few quotes from repair places, like DPJ said. Can prob get it done cheaper!

 

[andycupra]

repair it

 

[ChrisJ]

DONT CLAIM ON THE INSURANCE!!!! it will stitch ya in the long run! insurance companys are evil, you are far better without any claims on your record....

 

[murphster]

Ok, thanks very much everyone...

I'll get it repaired then - I will try and book it in somewhere over the weekend/early next week.

Simon

 

[wasco]

yeh trust me get repaired shouldnt cost much

 

[Tallpaul]

I had exactly (and i mean exactly) the same damage to my old Civic. Honda did a top notch repair job for about £350, which included about £30 for a new VTEC DOHC sticker

As said, they will pull it out and fill it smooth.

 

[RobM]

Even if it costs more than your excess to repair, it will still work out cheaper in the long run as you wont have any claims to declare on your insurance history.

 

[Feel]

Just check the alloy is fine, and have a good long look at what direction the rear is pointing compared to the other side... See how many fingers you can fit between the tyre and the arch on either side.

 

[ChrisUK]

What a tw@t !!!

Park it on your drive in future & yes, get it repaired !!!

 

[dan__smith]

What a tw@t !!!

Park it on your drive in future & yes, get it repaired !!!

Mine lives behind gates at night, secure car park at work...Anywhere else (i.e. carparks) I park it as far as I can from anyone else!

 

[Dennis]

This should only take a little paint so matching should nto be much of a problem.

i would expect change from £200 including sorting the door

 

[amccan10]

I've previously had a bash there and the door was scraped too. I got it sorted for £160, although that was my girlfriends cousin that done the work. to be honest you'll prob be looking at around £250ish max. i wouldn't bother going through your insurance. it'll only cost you more in the long run.

You local to edinburgh? might be able to get it sorted for you

 

[jetski]

last december my boss lent me his brand new motor with about 500 miles on the clock and someone took the mirror off when it was parked outside my house.

the twat responsible drove off leaving his own mirror at the side of the road as evidence- i took a quick drive around the village and found his car then went to the police and reported him. I'm no grass but it really pissed my off he didn't stop and leave a note or anything. Have a quick look around your area for similar coloured cars that are damaged before you cough up for the repair yourself mate

 

[andycupra]

ah but did the police do anything!?

 

[ChrisUK]

Yea they said thanks, eat a doughnut, then on your way out, they stopped you for not wearing a seatbelt & fined you £60.............

 

[murphster]

update

Thanks for your comments...

I have taken some photos with a better camera. I have had the day off work today and have got some quotes: £437.10 and another @ £480 Got another one coming in the post in the next few days.

All this because some who cant drive...

Oh well...

 

[murphster]

Mine lives behind gates at night, secure car park at work...Anywhere else (i.e. carparks) I park it as far as I can from anyone else!

I would have parked it on a drive if I had one It was on a straight piece of road - no reason for anyone to do any maneuvering or anything. I always try and avoid parking next to any dodgy looking cars, but there is only so much you can do...