So, can I assume their repairer is fine, they said they give a five year warranty and are Kite approved?

Personally I wouldn't take the risk of assuming this. Why not call your insurance company and ask them for a definitive answer in writing?

As for who was at fault. From the way you describe it I would find it hard to say you were to blame. How an insurer would view it is another matter. If the other party accepts responsibility that might make things easier but what someone says at the time of an accident and later (after hours / days have gone by) can be different.

They said I could go through the VW garage for the repair if I wanted, but I said I’d let them handle it. So, can I assume their repairer is fine, they said they give a five year warranty and are Kite approved?

If you have a preferred or more convenient repairer in mind, the insurer should allow you to have the work done there - unless they find it will cost more I suppose. I have done that on occasion, once when their suggested place was in Manchester, 30 miles away.

The warranty to consider is the VW anti-perforation one.

Edited by Leif on 30/12/2018 at 13:07

Some years ago I was involved in a similar minor collision at the supermarket, except that I was backing into the parking bay not reversing out. The other party was a pickup truck - I argued they had failed to look properly - I had driven past the vehicle parking in a bay to my left, stopped and started to reverse into a bay to my right when they pulled out and hit my car. I added that they were not moving when I drove past them and their reversing lights were not illuminated.

I stood my ground and refused to accept any blame and the matter ended up in the local county court for a hearing, 3 parties, me, the other party and a judge (or perhaps registrar, not sure). As the matter had been progressed via insurance so both parties had legal representation. I remember it well, I made sure my solicitor did not concede any blame, in the end the findings were 50/50. Neither I or the other party were happy - they swore blindly I was to blame but I don't agree, and never will. This was before dashcams existed.

To this day I still always reverse into parking bays and drive out forwards.

Having viewed the video my first thought is that you were moving first and it was for the other party to look out, see a moving vehicle and to act accordingly ie stay stationary. The Polo has twin reversing lights - if illuminated a clear sign of direction of travel!

Edited by Smileyman on 02/01/2019 at 23:11

A quick update: I spoke to my insurer today and they told me that the other party has admitted liability, and my NCB will not be affected. However, there will I assume be a premium increase due to a no fault accident.

I got the car back last Friday, beautiful repair, looks like new but this morning I noticed the wing mirrors were not defrosting. Turns out the repairers did not connect the wing mirror controls (or at least I assume that is the cause given the symptoms). So it's going back for an overnight fix. I missed my Polo. I hated the Citroen C3 loan car at first, but came to like many aspects. INterior build quality is pretty good, but the controls and touchscreen are so illogical. They drove me mad. So I suppose you could say it has some French character. ;) (Apologies to any French members, just a little joke at your expense.)