[Sally Allcock]

I recently grazed my neighbours 56 plate Toyota Yaris and I told him I did it. The damage isn't bad and I have had similar scuffs fixed on my car for about £100.

He is insisting on Toyota fixing it and there estimate is £280. If I go through my insurance which I would have to for this amount I would lose 8yrs no claims and obviously my premiums will go up.

Do I have any rights at all to ask for an independent estimate which if cheaper he will go to so that I can pay in cash to him to cover?

Thanks

[joypulv]

You have no 'rights' per se if you are just negotiating with him outside of insurance claims.
So you have a decision to make. I would assume that your safe driver/no claims credit on your premium for the next many years is worth far more than the difference between his estimate and yours. However, you don't need to tell him that. See if you can appease him with cash rather than waiting for your insurance co to drag it out, and tell him that they will require more than one estimate anyway. In other words, bargain your way to a compromise amount. Of course he might not budge.

(What's with all these scrapes? Find a friend who can teach you how to gauge distance using your mirrors, etc. Most of us never graze another car.)

[ScottGem]

You have the right to ask for an independent estimate. You cannot force him, however, to use the lower estimate, but you can use it to limit what you pay. So if your estimate is 150, you can tell him, I will give you the 150 and you can go wherever you want to do the repair. If he takes you to court over it, you can show the court the estimate and they will probably side with you.

However, if it is this minor and you have an unblemished record, then your premiums may not increase.

[Sally Allcock]

You have no 'rights' per se if you are just negotiating with him outside of insurance claims.
So you have a decision to make. I would assume that your safe driver/no claims credit on your premium for the next many years is worth far more than the difference between his estimate and yours. However, you don't need to tell him that. See if you can appease him with cash rather than waiting for your insurance co to drag it out, and tell him that they will require more than one estimate anyway. In other words, bargain your way to a compromise amount. Of course he might not budge.

(What's with all these scrapes? Find a friend who can teach you how to gauge distance using your mirrors, etc. Most of us never graze another car.)

Thanks for that advice... not so much the patronising. In 15 years driving I've never damaged a car parking. I was distracted by my baby girl suddenly started screaming!!

[Sally Allcock]

You have the right to ask for an independent estimate. You cannot force him, however, to use the lower estimate, but you can use it to limit what you pay. So if your estimate is 150, you can tell him, I will give you the 150 and you can go wherever you want to do the repair. If he takes you to court over it, you can show the court the estimate and they will probably side with you.

However, if it is this minor and you have an unblemished record, then your premiums may not increase.

Thank you this is very helpful :-)

[joypulv]

I apologize. I saw 'similar scuffs on my car' and imagined many incidents.

[Sally Allcock]

I apologize. I saw 'similar scuffs on my car' and imagined many incidents.

I have a rather accident prone husband lol :-). Thank you.

[ebaines]

Keep in mind that (a) this is a big inconvenience to the owner of the other car, (b) he is not asking for a rental car reimbursement, and (c) he is taking some risk that you will in fact pay up. In my opinion all those factors argue for you not haggling too much here - otherwise he may simply report it to his insurance company and then you're out of luck. And although you think you have experience with repairs of "similar scrapes" the cost of repairing damage can vary quite widely - for example his may include a respray of the entire affected body panel, and if he has metallic paint or the scrape involves a crease in the surface that would make a big difference. So if I were you I would ask him to provide a copy of the estimate so I know it's legit and simply pay up. If nothing else it will help keep peace among neighbors.

And for the benefit of the non-UK people on this forum - the term "56 plate" means the car was produced in late 2006 or early 2007.

[ScottGem]

otherwise he may simply report it to his insurance company and then you're out of luck.

ebaines makes a very valid point here. If he decides to report it to his insurer then his insurer will contact yours. So the claim gets reported anyway. However, your insurer will require that he go to one of their approved shops for an estimated (or have a claims adjuster do the estimate).