[Closed] Neighbours bin fell onto my car?

Remind me where the OP's car was parked?

On my drive.

On my drive.

Well, in that case... I'd say you have much more of an argument. What about your neighbour's house insurance?

I'd say just chalk it up to "shit happens".

Definitely not worth falling out with your neighbour over. He's been very decent to pay for the dent man.

It's just a risk of owning a fairly new car that you have to put up with.

I will speak to my neighbour and see what he thinks.

We both thought that the dent man would be able to remove it to the point where you wouldn't be able to see it.

However when he came he pointed out where the bin had creased the panel and said he may struggle with that.

Now rather than the panel being straight its now rippled.

We were planning on keeping the car for quite a long time. It was our first new car and was my pride and joy but now it just feels tarnished.

Like Renton, I try to look after my car and it was similarly damage by a neighbour This chap drove his ride on lawnmower over the gravel drive to empty it, firing a chunk of gravel into the passenger door. It was an accident. Yes it's annoying, yes it wasn't my fault and yes I'm out of pocket due to someone else's laziness. But, cars get damaged. It's the fact that it's on PCP that's causing you the most stress, not the fact that it's damaged per say.

This is one of the reasons I'm not a fan of PCP.

I'm really surprised that so many people think the neighbour has done enough. If I was the neighbour I would be fully expecting to pay any damage casued by my bin, either our of my pocket of from my house insurance (If that covers it)

Now that the dent removal guy has done his best, how much, if any, will the PCP company charge you to fix the remaining dent when you hand the car back?

From what you have said it’s not a massive dent, but one that you will see if you specifically look for it. Based on that description, I’d be surprised if it didn’t fall under fair wear and tear. To get a body shop involved is going to cost hundreds, I bet the PCP company charge will be a lot less

f he has household insurance, this will probably pick up the tab under 3rd party liability.

I was about to post that this should be exactly the situation when your neighbour's home insurance should cover the damage.

We were planning on keeping the car for quite a long time. It was our first new car and was my pride and joy but now it just feels tarnished.

You'll get over it.

All the typical 'it's just a car' bollocks as usual.

The OP has a right for his car to be in the condition is was to start with. The neighbour's home insurance should cover third party damage.

Two courses of action:
* Get the details of the neighbour's insurer and directly make a claim.
* Claim from your car insurance and let them recover from the neighbour's insurer.

I'd do either depending on how much running around I felt like doing myself. But I would be making sure my car was put back to how it started.

franksinatra - Member

I'm really surprised that so many people think the neighbour has done enough. If I was the neighbour I would be fully expecting to pay any damage casued by my bin, either our of my pocket of from my house insurance (If that covers it)

That was my take on it too. If your car rolled down a hill and punted a hole through someone's wall (which actually happened to me) you'd fix the hole regardless of whether it was a mechanical fault with the car or something caused by weather.

The only reason there's any ambiguity here is because of the failed repair. If the door had been completely irreparable and required a new door it wouldn't be unreasonable to expect neighbour to pay for the new door.

[quote=bensales ]All the typical 'it's just a car' bollocks as usual.

Which is only mentioned because people are overly precious about them.

The neighbour's home insurance should cover third party damage.

Except as discussed there's a good chance it will deny it - because there has to be negligence for there to be liability. The wind blowing is simply an act of god.

aracer - Member

bensales » All the typical 'it's just a car' bollocks as usual.

Which is only mentioned because people are overly precious about them.

It's not about precious cars, it's about money. Probably thousands of pounds out of the op's pocket if he returns the car with visible damage. If that's an inconsequential sum to you, perhaps you should donate to the op?

All the typical 'it's just a car' bollocks as usual.

The OP has a right for his car to be in the condition is was to start with. The neighbour's home insurance should cover third party damage.

Two courses of action:
* Get the details of the neighbour's insurer and directly make a claim.
* Claim from your car insurance and let them recover from the neighbour's insurer.

I'd do either depending on how much running around I felt like doing myself. But I would be making sure my car was put back to how it started.

I'm really surprised that so many people think the neighbour has done enough. If I was the neighbour I would be fully expecting to pay any damage casued by my bin, either our of my pocket of from my house insurance (If that covers it)

Yes but that goes against the trying to wind up renton mentality on this forum.

Which is only mentioned because [s]people[/s] the company that owns them [s]is overly precious about[/s] wants to resell them for a decent price.

It is one of the pitfalls of PCP. You get to drive a nicer car than you would normally buy, but you are expected to keep it that way.

OP does happen to be upset because new shiny is not new shiny any more, but the bigger issue is more that he can't just shrug and forget it like we might do with a small dent on our own car, he's contractually obliged to get the car repaired or at least pay for the loss in resale value.

Yes but that goes against the trying to wind up renton mentality on this forum.

This is a similar issue to the wheelie bin/car placement problem. You have observed a pattern of behaviour/risk, and yet your car is still parked next to the bin.. 🙂

OP should have erected a windshield on day in question before bins did damage, given he knew said bins had a history of wandering. 😉

Or been more pro-active in telling neighbours that he regularly puts bins back in their proper place, insisting they find a better solution.

It is one of the pitfalls of PCP. You get to drive a nicer car than you would normally buy, but you are expected to keep it that way.

OP does happen to be upset because new shiny is not new shiny any more, but the bigger issue is more that he can't just shrug and forget it like we might do with a small dent on our own car, he's contractually obliged to get the car repaired or at least pay for the loss in resale value.

Its not that at all though to be honest. We had planned to keep the car for a good ten years and as it was new I wanted to keep it looking that way.

Fair enough if I had done the damage to it myself but all of the damage that has been inflicted on the car has been done by others.

Many times i have picked his bin up and put it right outside his garage, i dont think they are aware that it keeps falling over and I agree that its my fault that I haven't told them.

Which is only mentioned because people are overly precious about them.

It is one of the pitfalls of PCP. You get to drive a nicer car than you would normally buy, but you are expected to keep it that way.

OP does happen to be upset because new shiny is not new shiny any more, but the bigger issue is more that he can't just shrug and forget it like we might do with a small dent on our own car, he's contractually obliged to get the car repaired or at least pay for the loss in resale value.

Method of purchase is immaterial really, particularly as the OP has since stated he intends to keep the car beyond the initial PCP period. Some people like to keep their possessions in good condition. It's perfectly possible to own and use a car for a long period of time, without it displaying any damage. I always find it fascinating that most people treat what is usually their second most expensive purchase like rubbish.

Yes but that goes against the trying to wind up renton mentality on this forum.

Yes, that's right, it's everyone else.....

particularly as the OP has since stated he intends to keep the car beyond the initial PCP period. Some people like to keep their possessions in good condition.

As the proud non-owner of a 2016 Octavia on PCP, can't argue with that. My interest is purely financial though - OP will end up paying for the repair one way or another.

Yes, that's right, it's everyone else.....

This is a similar issue to the wheelie bin/car placement problem. You have observed a pattern of behaviour/risk, and yet your car is still parked next to the bin..

No, my car is parked on my drive with about 2 metres gap between next doors drive.

Also I would be acting the same if the car I had wasn't on PCP.

He's already offered to pay, let him know the situation, put the ball in his court, you never know. If he pays even half the cost, then go with it, and build a fence between the drives.

Move on, lesson learned.

[quote=martinhutch ]OP will end up paying for the repair one way or another.

I doubt it will make much difference at all if he keeps the car for 10 years. Buyers of 10 year old cars aren't likely to be all that bothered about damage which in the OP's words:

[quote=renton ]I guess to the unsuspecting person you wouldn't be able to see them

TBH I reckon the best thing is just to be more unsuspecting instead of trying so hard to see the damage.

Having read all comments, I very much doubt the neighbour's home insurance would pay up, which should tell you all you need to know about the neighbour's obligation to pay for the repair.

[i]first new car and was my pride and joy but now it just feels tarnished[/i]

Really? People and their cars eh? My mountain bike is my "pride and joy", gives me a damn site more pleasure than a damn car ever could. After a ride the other week there was a chip in the carbon! Right on the logo! I was gutted. For a second or 2.

Think back 40 years. How many people did you personally know who had a new car? That's because only a few people could afford them. Now we have credit allowing the poor to 'buy' things they can't afford, then they get het up when they can't afford to maintain them.

Bring back the 70s

My car is a 2016 Octavia on pcp so needs to be in very goo condition when I hand it back.

but you said in another thread the other day that you were buying it at the end of the PCP.....

Maintaining something is different to repairing damage caused by other people's carelessness.

Think back 40 years. How many people did you personally know who had a new car? That's because only a few people could afford them. Now we have credit allowing poor people to 'buy' things they can't afford, then they get het up when they can't afford to maintain them.

Right hold on......

Who has mentioned that I cant afford it?

Also have I mentioned that I cant afford to maintain it??

This is about damage caused to the car by someone elses property

but you said in another thread the other day that you were buying it at the end of the PCP.....

We were planning on doing that yes, however now its got even more dents etc my opinion has changed.

What does your point have to do with the op anyway?

[quote=renton ]This is about damage caused to the car by [s]someone elses property[/s] the wind

It's dented so you don't want it? Surely it's more desirable as the stress had been relieved by each war wound

Think back 40 years. How many people did you personally know who had a new car? That's because only a few people could afford them. Now we have credit allowing the poor to 'buy' things they can't afford, then they get het up when they can't afford to maintain them.

Bring back the 70s

It's dented so you don't want it? Surely it's more desirable as the stress had been relieved by each war wound

how does that second quote even relate to your first quote??

[quote=renton ]We were planning on doing that yes, however now its got even more dents etc my opinion has changed.

So instead it will cost you money when you hand it back because of the damage and you'll get something else which will be just as likely to get more dents? I'm going to stand by my overly precious comments here, because it appears you are contemplating spending thousands of pounds to get rid of a problem which is only an issue for you [b]if you let it be an issue for you[/b]

Renton, your logic is a thing of joy.

Really? People and their cars eh?

I take your point, but if a neighbour's roof tile came off and smashed my windscreen, I would expect them to pay for it.

I'm sure with a couple of hours with a small hammer you could get the remaining dents out.

[img] [/img]

We were planning on doing that yes, however now its got even more dents etc my opinion has changed.

Surely you would just stick it into the bodyshop and get it sorted? If you like the car then it would seem daft to base your decision on a dent.

If the neighbour has already paid for the dent people then I wouldn't expect them to pay to fix it again. When the dent guy said 'I won't be able to get it out properly' you should have said 'leave it then and I'll go to the bodyshop'.

Can't really expect the neighbour to pay twice.

a problem which is only an issue for you if you let it be an issue for you

It is an issue though as not of it was my fault in anyway.

Renton, your logic is a thing of joy.

Nobeer.... Thanks, I aim to please.

Surely you would just stick it into the bodyshop and get it sorted? If you like the car then it would seem daft to base your decision on a dent.

To be fair we probably will do this.

Its just sheer bloody frustration that its happened, not once but twice to the same car.

I try and look after it as much as possible, park well away from anyone else etc etc and now Ive got to spend out. In reality its probably going to cost me circa £1000 to get both doors and the bumper repaired and painted.

I'd suggest you take it to a decent indy repair place, there's bound to be one locally. a lot of these dent guys are franchised and there's no guarantee that they're actually any good.

May be cheaper than you think.

[quote=ransos ]I take your point, but if a neighbour's roof tile came off and smashed my windscreen, I would expect them to pay for it.

Good luck with that - I'm sure the insurance wouldn't pay out.

I'd suggest you take it to a decent indy repair place, there's bound to be one locally. a lot of these dent guys are franchised and there's no guarantee that they're actually any good.

May be cheaper than you think.

Hopefully so. Ive been given the details of a well recommended bodyshop who do repairs on Bentley's and Ferrari etc.

I always remember my mate taking his RS turbo to a garage for a paint, it came out 3 different shades

Bring back the 70s

The irony of saying that on an internet forum.

Good luck with that - I'm sure the insurance wouldn't pay out.

I don't understand your point: I'm talking about my expectations of other people's behaviour.