I put small scratch ( took off a layer of paint) on Kia Sportage in supermarket car park. Offered to pay for repair, and owner has advised cost will be £100 - £150 but when I asked for proof of the repair cost, or getting invoice sent to me, so I can pay for the repair, the owner refused. What is my legal position?

You admit responsibility and exchanged details either later or at the time. If it goes to insurers then realistically it's going to be more than £150 with consequent effect on NCD/Premium. If they're prepared to accept £100-£150 and provided they will accept in writing that it's full/final then why make an issue.

I guess they could be justified in just pocketing £150 as compensation for diminution in value of their car as a consequence of the scratch.

Assuming the other party will sign a receipt as full and final settlement of damage, i'd be accepting the amount talked about as getting off lightly.

The alternative, if the other party lets a claims management shark loose could be an equivalent credit hire car for two weeks minumum and an inflated bodyshop bill of £500+, that £150 could well end up @ £2500 and your insurance record severely dented.

He may not get a receipt anway, he might have a cash arrangement with a mobile chap and stands to pocket £50 for himself, so what?, it's still cheaper than every other scenario, after all its him being inconvenienced, even if he sticks a paint patch on its still him doing the finding and fixing.

Also, he doesn't know you from a bar of soap (and this is no reflection on you by the way), you've said you will pay up on invoice but he might have been tricked by someone before so wants the money up front, i could write a book on assuming other people are honourable.

Edited by gordonbennet on 24/09/2020 at 08:43