993RS

Somebody touched my right wheel arch while manuvering in a parking space at my tennis club. He caused about $600 worth of damage and left. Luckily, two teenagers saw it, wrote down his license plate number and came into the club house to inform me. A friend of mine nearby said he knew who it was and phoned him. At first, the person said he was not aware of having hit any car. He was told that there were plenty of witnesses.
I met him the following day at the club. A retired insurance agent (!) and a multi-millionaire. He was arrogant, did not excuse himself and was almost accusing me of trying to rip him off with the damage estimate (not more than $100 he said!).
At this point I broke off the conversation, told him to contact my Porsche dealer directly and left.

The gall of some people. I should probably have informed the police of his leaving the scene of the accident. Thank goodness those youngsters saw it and got his license number!

Christer

Phil

It is possible to 'brush' someone else's car without realising. I did this about 8 years ago when leaving the railway station car park. Luckily, we were all 'regulars' there so the owner just left notes on all our windscreens about the incident. I inspected my car and found some paint on my bumper matchin his so had to assume it was me. The damage was only around $250 and we settled without the insurance company getting involved. I was happy to resolve the matter.

It doesn't sound like this guy was unaware or contrite though...what an a**hole.

993Widebody

I don't know how you can restrain yourself, sick the police on hime for leaving the scene, he deserves it.

Andreas.

Phil,
Sorry to hear that. I advice you to go to the police and get a official report other wise you'll not get any answer from this guy, also,You will active faster the reaction of this one. Then if you have "TCS, Assista" Insurance, they can help you against this "not to serious guy".

Hope it works. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

amfp

Police report may not be a win win alternative. At least here in the states, a police report is sent to your own insurance company, and could cause a questionable mark on your own insurance record. Even if not your own fault. So may want to check with your insurance company first.

Personally for $600.00, I would try to handle separately. Understand the frustration - good luck.

993Widebody

[quote]Originally posted by mo:
<strong>Police report may not be a win win alternative. At least here in the states, a police report is sent to your own insurance company, and could cause a questionable mark on your own insurance record. Even if not your own fault. So may want to check with your insurance company first.

Personally for $600.00, I would try to handle separately. Understand the frustration - good luck.</strong><hr></blockquote>

This makes no sense, Phil's car was parked. Another driver hit his car and the guy in the wrong is not cooperating. I don't see how getting a police report would have any negative impact to Phil in this case.

Tim Ashfield

I have to say that I agree with 993widebody making this "official" will ensure the right outcome.

Nice to see teenagers doing the right thing.

Greg Fishman

Phil,
Have you ever heard of a valve stem puller? Maybe that fellow should get a nice introduction to how quickly they will deflate his tires.

993RS

Thanks guys. Apparently he called up the Porsche garage and his insurance will pay for it. I had plenty of witnesses... Still, he has not had the decency to apologize in person.

Jeff 993TT

I would have put the police on him, especially with that attitude.

Over here in the states, I believe that a hit and run is considered a felony.

Jeff

Paul M

He sounds like a bad guy from a Scooby-Doo episode... I can just hear him now, "And if it weren't for those pesky kids, I'd have gotten away with it..."

No scooby-snacks for him...

PWC

Ahhhhh but you still have the pleasure of knowing what happened and how he reacted. As frustrating as that is you can take comfort in the fact that there were enough reliable people out there to do the right thing. Many times I have given my number to complete strangers when I have witnessed similar events. In each case the stranger has called to thank me. Get your car fixed, get on with your life and make sure you tell the story when you get the chance. When I was 16 my pride and joy was a Ford Capri. Some jerk backed into the side of it and did several thousand dollars damage and drove away. No one witnessed it. Tha was a lot of money in 1974. Good for those kids that stepped up for you.

pig4bill

Generally the cops will do nothing on a traffic incident on private property. You actually made out quite well. Most arrogant millionaires would not have contacted your dealer and made you sue them in court to get your money. They figure you won't go to the expense, and even if you do, their insurance pays.

Jgordon

Plus, if the two of you are in a tennis club together, it will get around. You will save yourself a lot of angst in the future by acting like the bigger man.

If this was not in the club though, the valve stem puller is the way to go.

Jared