What would you do?

Claim on insurance. It prevents any possible problems down the track, and you would still have to declare the accident on your insurance anyway, even if you haven't claimed. Not only that, but it would also mean she probably wants to choose the cheapest panelbeater she can find to do the work, which doesn't necessarily mean a good job.

When I had my accident last year, the lady wanted to get a panelbeater mate to fix it instead of going through insurance, for the same reason, and all I could think of it turning to custard and there being no guarantees that the work would be done well, if at all.

I agree go through insurance then it is out of your hands. It was not your fault so it will not effect you & you can not worry about someone else's cover.

If you feel uncomfortable about telling her just say DH said he will sort it out with the insurance company

I would go down the insurance route too!

Definitely lodge a claim with your insurer - no doubt about it. She only needs to worry about her excess when it comes to repairing HER car, so it has nothing to do with your side of repairs anyway..

Yeah I would get a written quote from a panelbeater of your choice and give her a week to front up with the cash before you get it repaired. If she doesn't, then contact your insurance company.

ETA make sure you make it clear that she needs to pay you before you get the repairs done as you can't afford to pay it yourself.

Edited by KH25

Pepsi my mum bumped someones car, no damage but the person had other damage so claimed and my mum had a big excess too! Was a bummer because she didn't do any damage at all, but the person will lose their no claims bonus etc.

I did work in insurance before I had the girls, but not in the claims department. That's how I know that either way, the accident has to be reported.

I just think you need to have some say in the repairer, rather than whoever is cheapest for her.

I'm NOT an expert - only heard things second hand from someone I know who works in insurance!

I think if you ring your insurance company and make a claim, and you tell them you know who did it, the claims department will try and get hold of the lady so they can claim the costs from her. She may choose to give them her insurance details, or she may not, but either way, she'll have to pay! At least if you do it through the insurance company, it's all documented and you have recourse if things don't work out

The insurance company always has to claim the cost from somewhere, and if it can be proven that it was her fault (ie. she admits it to them or you have independent eyewitnesses), the insurance company will send her a nice letter or something saying "You were at fault - you need to pay $XX." If she doesn't pay, the debt collection people chase it up, and then I think it goes to the Disputes Tribunal or something.

Hi - as others have said you have to report the accident to your insurer, regardless of who is going to pay in the end. Depending on the insurer, if it is not your fault you won't lose your no claims bonus. Someone hit my car a while ago and I was in exactly the same position - all you have to do is fill out the forms with your insurer and they will sort it out with the woman, doesn't mean she has to make a claim on her own insurance policy. DON'T try and just do it privately with her - there is a risk that she won't pay and you may also void your own insurance.

Good luck - it sucks when this happens, I know!!

i have rang the insurance company and reported it. DP took the car today and got 3 quotes to get it fixed and even though it doesnt look that bad its going to cost $520

im going to give her until next wednesday to pay (she said today thats when she will have the money) and if i dont get it im going to go ahead with the claim. ill make it clear to her tomorrow that i need the whole payment

thanks for the advise everyone. its hard because she is kind of a friend and i have to work with her every day so i dont want to get on the wrong side of her but my car still needs fixing