Cracked the bumper on a neighbour's car while reversing - is this cost reaosnable?

[kropotkin]

I tried to get in to too tight a space and cracked the rear bumper on an old (15-20yrs? old) convertible Saab on my road.
I left a note giving my number, apologising and offering to pay as it was my fault.

The man texted and was very nice. just got back to me after a long while as he had to source a second hand one as the car is old.
£82 for the bumper and £326 to spray and fit it. He said he was going to renovate it anyway, so I only need to pay for the latter cost- is that a reasonable figure? Looks a lot to me. It's my fault, just don't know if there's overcharging going on and I know nothing about cars.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Sounds about right tbh

 

[Athos]

What's your premium, and how many years no claims bonus do you have, and is it protected?

 

[cybershot]

Years ago i scuffed my old skool Mini Cooper and was mortified. To get the paint mix right etc was probably the most expensive part of the job. Although he did the job with the panel still attached so while that was fiddley, your one needs to be fitted also and considering 20+ years inflation, it's probably about right.

 

[kropotkin]

What's your premium, and how many years no claims bonus do you have, and is it protected?

premium was 300 I think- not worth claiming for it. 1 year NCD

 

[kropotkin]

Thanks all- very helpful. Just needed a sense-check

 

[Johnny Doe]

I tried to get in to too tight a space and cracked the rear bumper on an old (15-20yrs? old) convertible Saab on my road.
I left a note giving my number, apologising and offering to pay as it was my fault.

The man texted and was very nice. just got back to me after a long while as he had to source a second hand one as the car is old.
£82 for the bumper and £326 to spray and fit it. He said he was going to renovate it anyway, so I only need to pay for the latter cost- is that a reasonable figure? Looks a lot to me. It's my fault, just don't know if there's overcharging going on and I know nothing about cars.

Looks about right and seems reasonable that's he's said he'll pay what he was already going to anyway. You'll never be 100% sure that wasn't flannel, but my cynicism isn't peaked here, so I'd go with it, tbh

 

[kropotkin]

Cool.
All paid up so if anyone new comes on the thread and thinks it's inflated bollocks please keep it to yourself!

 

[Athos]

premium was 300 I think- not worth claiming for it. 1 year NCD

You're probably getting around 10% discount, and a claim would probably increase the premium by a further 20%. Meaning that it makes sense to go outside the insurance if it's a fair price for the work - which it seems to be - and you don't anticipate claiming again in the next three years.

 

[Anju]

Nice one for leaving a note. I learnt many years ago to only buy cars in the same colours gaffer tape is available in.

 

[prunus]

Nice one for leaving a note. I learnt many years ago to only buy cars in the same colours gaffer tape is available in.

Hear hear. I’ve yet to find anything on my car that can’t be fixed up with gaffer tape and/or cable ties*

* To be completely honest the wheel bearings were a bit of a challenge.

 

[A380]

Another vote for seems like the price is right…

 

[Chilli.s]

Decent thing leaving a note well done

 

[kropotkin]

Thanks but (it's not decent, it's just neutral: not leaving a note is actively shitty)