Car damaged by hit and run – what should I do? | Ask Honest John

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Car damaged by hit and run – what should I do?

A young driver recently hit the back of my Mazda MX-5. Not a lot of damage was done but the lady in question drove off without stopping. Fortunately I have a willing witness who wrote down her registration and basic details. The matter has been reported to the police.

I am now stuck with the best way of pursuing this matter. The most sensible way forward would have been for the offending driver to have stopped and offered to pay for the damage. It won’t be a large sum and we could both have avoided being penalised by our insurance companies. Obviously I don’t have any contact details to enable me to discuss this option.

The obvious alternative is to report the accident to my insurers and leave it up to them. However, I resent having my premiums increased because they now think I am a higher risk. What should I do?

Asked on 10 July 2013 by David Surrey

Answered by Honest John

You still have to disclose it to your insurer. But you qualify to pay the DVLA to disclose the keeper details and can pursue her via the small claims track of the county court. As soon as you threaten this she or her father or boyfriend or husband will probably cough up anyway.

Tags: owning

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