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Many thanks to everyone (well nearly ! I am just so offended by all the insults about fiats..... lol I used to think that about them as well, until I inherited this one !)
I thought I might as well ring up my insurance company, just to find out what I really should do, turns out not only do I have a protected no-claims bonus but also a guaranteed hire car.... so, car is being collected this afternoon to assess the damage and I get a nice little undented motor to borrow while it's being sorted out - I bet it's a Ford Ka haha.... My insurance company also told me that if the repairs are going to cost less than my excess, I can easily withdraw the claim and just pay it myself, otherwise they'd pay for the repair.