Ran into stationary car which I am sure was not properly insured: how do I find out what their cover was and will this assist my claim?

Last week I drove to a house and knowing I wouldn't be long I parked behind another resident's car blocking it in. Needless to say the driver of the blocked car came knocking so he could get out. I reversed slowly but stupidly I scratched another car which was parked 60% on the pavement on a single yellow line. I explained what happened to the owner, took photos of the scratch and where the car was parked, then gave them my insurance details. A neighbour came out and said that he owned a car body repair shop. To repair a two inch scratch would cost £225 he said, which is less than my excess (and I've got 2yrs no claims). I know I'm at fault because the car was stationary (even if it was illegally parked) but I'm wondering why wasn't the car parked on his driveway; do his insurance company know that he has alloys on a really base model car? It turns out the car is registered to his father with the son as a second driver which means the dad is fronting for the son (invalid policy ) but how do I prove this. How would I find out if they have been honest with their insurers and how will this affect my claim.

There is no question you are liable and how the other vehicle is insured - whether modifications are declared, whether the father is insured or the son, or indeed whether the vehicle is insured at all - is irrelevant as ultimately the claim would be made against your insurance not theirs.

The car needs to be put back to its original condition and the son's seeming ambivalence to how this is done may assist. You should make it clear that you want to settle the claim direct and should ask the body repair shop person to submit a quotation but you are not obliged to use them. Body repair techniques have improved substantially in recent years and there are many excellent mobile services.

Do a search for paintless dent removal in your favourite search engine and seek quotes from the various companies, then check if the third party will be happy to have it fixed by them at their convenience but don't waste your time worrying about their insurance position as whatever it is will not assist your case.

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