MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
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My partners car had a large rock thrown at it whilst she was driving along. It hit the bonnet causing a dent and scratches that go through to the metal. Fortunately her son-in-law was in the car with her and caught three lads who admitted to doing it (but they didn't specify which youth it actually was), we have a good quality photograph of them plus we know which school they go to. The Police were informed via 101 and we have a crime number.
The bodyshop are saying its going to cost around £800 to repair the damage so with the £200 excess, loss of no claims and increased premium next year she will be substantially out of pocket.
Given that we can identify the lads (but not the exact one who threw the rock) and we know their school is there any way we can recover our losses or should we just suck it up? Is it worth speaking to the school?
Was this during school hours?
The police need to carry out a criminal investigation first. Then if the lads are found guilty they will have to pay some form of money out but it won't be what it's cost you and will most likely be in £5 a month instalments.
No, it was sunday afternoon - my hope was that the school might investigate, question the lads then find out which one it was so we could approach the parents. I'd imagine they be keen to pay for the damage rather than let little Johnny get a criminal record or maybe thats just me who thinks like that 🙂
No, it was sunday afternoon - my hope was that the school might investigate, question the lads then find out which one it was so we could approach the parents.
School won't help you, but they might help the Police.
School won't (and rightly) be interested unless they're in uniform.
But I'd expect and push the police to conduct a proper investigation into criminal damage, as you have a witness and can identify them.
Caution... I have no legal background at all...
As there was a group, but the individual perp can't be directly identified, doesn't this count as 'Joint Enterprise'?
[url= http://www.kaimtodner.com/law/what_is_joint_enterprise/ ]http://www.kaimtodner.com/law/what_is_joint_enterprise/[/url]
A kid spat at my car once and hurled beer at it, when I stopped the car he decided to attack it with the beer bottle, denting the roof door and a pillar. I got hold of him and called the police. It went to court, he was found guilty and had to repay my excess which was around £500. I'm still getting monthly cheques and it was 4 years ago.
I'd assume you'll recover nothing, but push the police to investigate anyway.
Have you thought about just getting another bonnet from ebay or a breakers?
throwing rocks at moving cars is more than vandalism - could be argue it's intent to endanger life. Surprised the police aren't all over it.
Just break the kids legs. It's probably the only satisfaction you'll get.
Its just a shame that something beyond our control is treated by the insurance company as an at fault claim.
The body shop say they will have to blend the paint into the wings to make sure it matches which is why its fairly expensive I suppose.
I start a search with the breakers to see if another bonnet in the right colour is out there.
Thanks guys.