You can claim on his household insurance policy for the damage to your car................ unless he has no insurance?

I think that if he signed a statement saying amount was accepted as full and final settlement then it'd be an uphill struggle to re-open claim. But then again if he said something new had come to light and dogamundo needed ongoing treatment it might be more difficult.

In spite of the hassle factor I'd suggest getting your insurer to deal. Last couple of times I've claimed it's been pretty straightforward. One call to report and a couple of follow ups in case where I was 'no fault' and loose ends of claim like car hire (I just got one from Hertz for time car was in bodyshop) needed to be quantified.

My understanding is that the police should have been involved, either at the time of the accident or within 24 hours; whether it's now too late to inform them I have no idea.

Only in very rare cases, if it can be established that the driver was at fault, is the driver liable for vet bills etc. If the dog was not under anyone's control it's difficult to see how the driver could be responsible.

Personally, in the case described above, I would not offer a penny and let the dog's owner make the next move. Even if there is "a lot going on in my life at the moment" any repercussions would involve minimal involvement by yourself - filling in a form, maybe.

If you go down the route proposed by the dog owner you will have to draw up a statement for him to sign, carefully worded to ensure he is agreeing not to pursue the claim any further. Frankly, I think this is more hassle than the alternative.