Hi there
Strictly speaking, if you've only got social & pleasure cover, then your insurance company can wriggle.....unless you can persuade them that it was a "' one off'' visit to the office.
On a more practical basis, it's likely that you will have some forms of excess liability on your cover (compulsory and voluntary) so if the damage was literally a scratch you might be better off suggesting to the other party that you pay for the damage in cash. Tell him/her to get a couple of quotes for the work and go with the one that you both agree on. I'm assuming that the other party wasn't in the car at the time....so there's no liklihood of any follow-on claims for personal injury etc.
By settling this way you will likely be less out of pocket and will keep your no claims record in tact.
Hope this helps.....
Steve
