Car parking damage

Ella · #1 19.09.2007, 07:52

Dear all

My car was hit on my own parking place by an anonymous, the shape of the car doesnt change, but a big area of paint was heavily scratched

.

Before I go to my insurance company, do I need to declare to the Police about it? I apologize if this is a stupid question since it s my first car and I never had any claim before... Any suggestions will be very much appreciated.

cheers

Ella

eejit · #2 19.09.2007, 08:29

Your insurance company's hotline will be able to tell you everything you need to do or supply.

swissmiss163 · #3 19.09.2007, 10:28

	Quote:	Ella
	Dear all My car was hit on my own parking place by an anonymous, the shape of the car doesnt change, but a big area of paint was heavily scratched. Before I go to my insurance company, do I need to declare to the Police about it? I apologize if this is a stupid question since it s my first car and I never had any claim before... Any suggestions will be very much appreciated. cheers Ella

Sad isn't it? Driving off without letting the other person know? The same happened to a friend of mine, since then she always writes down the licence plate numbers of those parked next to her. I thought it was a good idea, but then I cannot be bothered writing everything down everytime I park.
But sorry to hear that your car has been scratched.

ElJeFe · #4 19.09.2007, 10:45

	Quote:	swissmiss163
	since then she always writes down the licence plate numbers of those parked next to her..

huh? what if car 1 leaves, is replaced by car 2, that while leaving causes damage to her car? is she going to go after car 1?

chemgoddess · #5 19.09.2007, 10:47

That sounds a tad anal to me. And also as previous poster noted how would anybody know if different cars and come and gone.

	Quote:	swissmiss163
	S The same happened to a friend of mine, since then she always writes down the licence plate numbers of those parked next to her. I thought it was a good idea, but then I cannot be bothered writing everything down everytime I park.

roberthome · #6 19.09.2007, 11:22

Hello,

Exactly the same thing happened to me, and I know which car hit mine (it had advertising all over it), but when it returned I couldn't prove anything and the dear person said "me? no! impossible".

There were no police involved, I thought that would be asking for trouble. I'm not even sure that the caller is not liable for costs in 'insignificant' cases. In Germany you would have to pay the police for their time. Damage came to about Fr. 900. The insurance were not too bothered, and repaired it with no problems, although my premiums went up a bit.

cheers

robert

Richard · #7 19.09.2007, 12:30

	Quote:	Ella
	Dear all My car was hit on my own parking place by an anonymous, the shape of the car doesnt change, but a big area of paint was heavily scratched. Before I go to my insurance company, do I need to declare to the Police about it? I apologize if this is a stupid question since it s my first car and I never had any claim before... Any suggestions will be very much appreciated. cheers Ella

If the shape of the car has not changed ie it is just paint work, get a wet cloth and rub well. Take a good look at the scratches. If they are not deep ie it was just a touch the person hitting you probably never realised and you should be able to get them polished out for around SFr. 200 to 250. If you need to have it sprayed go to your insurance company...

Ella · #8 19.09.2007, 12:51

	Quote:	roberthome
	The insurance were not too bothered, and repaired it with no problems, although my premiums went up a bit.

Thanks Robert

Seems you were luckier than I m. This morning I spend twenty mintutes on the phone with my insurance company. The lady was telling me if it s just paint/loss then it s not covered, they only pay for serious damage ie, a bump. And I told her I think a big surface of deep scratches is more serious than a small bump..

They finally agree to send someone to take a look, we will see how it goes...