It really happened to us

An account of a minor but expensive bump in a supermarket car park

Mid November 2006 our Mazda MX-5 was driven very slowly down the aisle of a local supermarket car park looking for a parking space. Without warning a large MPV reversed out.

There could have been a small toddler suddenly shooting clear of a concerned parent with horrific consequences. Fortunately the MPV hit only our car.

 Our  driver attempted to pull away and sound the horn but was unable to get clear in time. There was a minor bump. The other vehicle suffered only scratches to the bumper. Our car had two small dents, one from impact and one from the wing buckling. On examination it had been hit on the join of three maybe four components. From that which had seemed minor repair was being to look quite expensive one.   

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First rough estimate from a local group was £661.46 plus VAT with the note that further work might be necessary. Taken by our Insurers to their garage for a detailed examination the cost had increase to just under £1800 plus VAT. Add in the cost of hire vehicle during repairs that was a very expensive two second lack of concentration. 

The other party fully admitted liability so the costs were of no direct concern to us but the inconvenience was considerable. The claim was made quickly and paperless by telephone. But there is the claim handler to ring you, the garage, the hirers and the solicitors to reclaim the excess. The solicitors require all details of the accident in writing even though the Insurers did not. There hire agreements, vehicle collection and deliveries, each one with an inspection. There are progress reports from the repairers. It all consumes an amazing amount of time.

You have had a busy day at work with the Christmas rush. Off out in the evening for a small celebration and only a drink or two, within the limit. Think seriously of making other arrangements. A friend or family to take and pick you up. Reciprocate the arrangement. Drink Driving refers to drunks, like winning the National Lottery, it happens to other people, not you. However, you do expect to get the odd tenner now and then. And you know you will get the odd scrape now and then in a tight corner. Just the odd bump.

You only need to clip the garage doorway to pickup a large bill and awful lot of inconvenience. The above tiny bump happened at 10.45 in morning in good weather. Just a couple of seconds lack of concentration and a £2000 plus bill.  Ouch.. 

 Be safe, be sure and make arrangements for someone to drive you. A nasty repair wouldn't make for a good Christmas.   

I still find it had to believe that tiny bump cost all that money but it did and one inch of paperwork went with that claim..

Peter Thorndyke