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Must I go through an insurance claim after damaging another car, or can I pay for the damage myself?

I bumped a girl's Volkswagen Polo in an the work car park on the near-side wing. I have stated that I would pay for the damage I had caused rather than go through the insurance. She stated that it would cost £600 to repair from her father's garage, so I asked her to provide me with three independent written quotes as the repairs clearly won't cost £600. I have had quotes of £280 for a new wing, bearing in mind it was a dent with minimal scratches, but she wants to notify my insurance company regardless. Can I be forced to go through an insurance claim when I've already offered to pay for the damage?

Asked on 16 August 2010 by RattyRyan

Answered by Lucy
She is under a duty to mitigate her loss, so if the work can be obtained to a reasonable standard at a lower cost and she goes somewhere else she is liable to pay the difference between the lower quote and the higher one.
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