Costs for police report of damaged rental car

[Crazydre]

Was in Magusa the other day and, in 10-15 km/h, scratched the side of the front of the car on an uneven stone wall near the castle.

For a specific reason I forgot to stay at the spot and call the police, instead continuing to a nearby parking lot.

A day later I sorted it with the Magusa polis müdürlügü and the rental company (Baspinar), paying 800 lira to Baspinar, which paid off compared to what the police wanted to charge me for a report.

Here's the surprising part: I was told that, despite the full insurance from Baspinar, even if I had stayed where I scratched the car and waited for the police, I still would've had to pay the police 600 (?) lira for the report, even though I would've owed Baspinar nothing.

That makes me wonder: let's say I experience a crash on a main road and the other person is completely at fault. Would I still have to pay the police for it even with full insurance from the rental provider?

Could you please clarify this, as none of this was ever mentioned by Baspinar (which I politely told the staff that they should mention on their website).

[Groucho]

I don't understand why you need to remain at the scene and not move your car... As far as I've been told it's only an accident involving other parties that require you to remain at the scene so that they can measure up and decide who was at fault... if not a Cypriot relative of the attending officer (then it's your fault no matter what).

As the wall does not move, you are at fault. But why the police need be involved is a bit moot. Unless you did actual damage to the wall in which case you are still at fault and the insurance would need to pay for the repair to the wall. What the police report would add to the insurer's understanding is difficult to imagine but I suppose bogus claims against the insurer is the reason.

However if, as a condition of the insurance, a report is required then you must pay for it. That the fully comp insurance does not cover this aspect of the claim should be spelled out in the documentation.

[Crazydre]

I don't understand why you need to remain at the scene and not move your car... As far as I've been told it's only an accident involving other parties that require you to remain at the scene so that they can measure up and decide who was at fault... if not a Cypriot relative of the attending officer (then it's your fault no matter what).

As the wall does not move, you are at fault. But why the police need be involved is a bit moot. Unless you did actual damage to the wall in which case you are still at fault and the insurance would need to pay for the repair to the wall. What the police report would add to the insurer's understanding is difficult to imagine but I suppose bogus claims against the insurer is the reason.

However if, as a condition of the insurance, a report is required then you must pay for it. That the fully comp insurance does not cover this aspect of the claim should be spelled out in the documentation.

Baspinar do write in their terms and conditions (http://www.baspinar-rentals.com/terms_conditions.aspx) that an incident form is to be completed at the police and sent to them, but mention no costs at all for this (nor did they bring it up during our pre-collection email correspondance, or during pick-up at Ercan).

The wall wasn't damaged, only the affected part of the car (colour scratched off).

The two officers at the Magusa polis müdürlügü told me I should not have moved an inch and called 155. Instead I moved to a nearby parking lot and did try to call, but when I'm in Turkey (incl. the TRNC for phone purposes) people somehow can't hear me when I call them, so it was in vain.

Because I reported the next day (though within 24 hours) - yes, I drove all the way from Lapta to Magusa for this as the Lapta police advised me to - they wanted to charge me 1000 (or was it 1200?) for the report plus a fine for "not driving carefully enough". Felt very fishy to me personally, so they spoke to Baspinar and agreed I should just go to the Baspinar office. So I did and ended up paying them 800 lira.

But yes, rental companies should specify that the incident form is neither free nor cheap (if what the Magusa police told me is true).

My mum (who is travelling with me) paid the 800 lira with her card and is considering disputing it with her bank, however we want to know what the regulations are over here as we were never informed of it until the whole thing actually happened.

[Cally]

Crikey, I never realised you need to inform the police. I had an argument with a wall, ended up in a dead end street & didn't reverse very well. Went to car rental, showed them & their reply, "you are a good customer, no worries"

[JoandJelly]

What would you actually be disputing with the credit card company though?

[sophie]

Are the police short of money again or what. Never in 14 years have we come across this before,.

[tomsteel]

Simple soul that I am, I would have thought a formal approach to a specialist advocate in traffic offences or a reputable insurer would have given you a definitive answer, rather than our thoughts/opinions. My thoughts - a rip off and yet another example of 'yabanci para inekleri.'

[Crazydre]

Are the police short of money again or what. Never in 14 years have we come across this before,.

Really now? What would you have expected in that situation, just so I have something to compare with?

Simple soul that I am, I would have thought a formal approach to a specialist advocate in traffic offences or a reputable insurer would have given you a definitive answer, rather than our thoughts/opinions. My thoughts - a rip off and yet another example of 'yabanci para inekleri.'

Any that you could recommend (where I can get free advice)? For me as a uni student and my mum as a dental assistant, 800 liras is simply too much to be frauded out of. We insisted on receipts at the Baspinar office, so that isn't an issue.

[sophie]

Crazydre, It was me being cynical. When the speed cameras are out all over the place and other forms of raising money are very obvious. It was always believed when there was insufficient money in the kitty to pay the end of month salaries, that numerous methods were used to raise the required cash.

[tomsteel]

Crazydare. Whilst I do not know where you are living, you could ask 'phone Anthony at Azant Insurance in Alsancak on 0533 833 0841. I have always been impressed with his help and service for over 10 years.

[tomsteel]

Crazydare, did you 'phone? If so, what was Anthony's answer, please?