I was walking back to the carpark at a small shopping centre with a family member recently, when someone tried to park next to us and hit my car. I've never seen anyone try to park a car before at that speed and in the rain! I was parked legally, within the allocated carpark and have the other driver's licence details. He also told me he was insured and seemed co-operative. I also took a few photos, but unfortunately do not have dashcam. I assume the shopping centre has CCTV but I doubt they would be willing to share it unless the police was involved.
The next day I visited a few smash repairers and the quotes given were all roughly around the cost of the excess (around $750). One of the smash repairers mentioned that car park incidents are often a grey area, which I found worrying and so I was hoping to settle for just under what the excess would be for the other party, so that there's no chance that I may need to pay for an excess.
I'm wondering what the procedure is to either attempt to settle privately with the other party or to involve my insurance company, but without this affecting future premiums or forcing me to pay an excess. Many insurers ask about past claims when you get quotes for new insurers, so I am also wary about this. Has anyone had experience settling such a matter privately?
Thanks.
Buddy, your situation is not remotely similar.
1) Another car didn't hit you, it sound like a bunch of kids threw a bunch of toys at your car denting it.
2) OP knows is aware of the identity of the other drive, they have evidence that the person did it. You have no idea who done it, you assume it was a kid or kids from the local school but you don't know which kids and your only "evidence" are some toys.
Your insurer will know best what to do, I feel like you're going to have to make a claim. You however can certainly call your insurer without making a claim. You can always call your insurer and ask for advice. You don't necessarily have to give them any account details obviously I don't know the state of your vehicle and I am not an expert but if the dents are on different panels given depending the size of the dents, "small" is quiet subjective. It's all but certain going to cost you more than your excess to fix, panel beaters aren't cheap. So it comes down to, does the damage need to be repaired? Do you want it to be repaired? If you don't want to deal with your insurer you can always get an obligation free quote from a smash repairer. If repairing the dents are optional than it's up to you, if yes though I again recommend using your insurer it's what they're there for, your premium may go up but it'll alot cheaper than paying out of pocket.
Just to re-enforce this, don't be afraid to get a second opinion. If you don't like what you insurer had to say advice wise, call a second company and ask them. If you feel like the smash repairer is lying to you if they say you need to repair the damage or if you feel like their quote is too high, than take it another smash repairer.