Free Traffic Legal Advice

Driver reserved into my car, offered to pay for damage but is now unresponsive.

I was recently leaving a car park when another driver in front reversed back into my car at some speed. He got out the car and explained he was trying to avoid a another car turning down into the car park. He then apologised and said he’d pay for the damage giving me his name, number and registration.  He seemed genuine so I had no concerns and didn’t think I’d need to involve insurance.

We exchanged some texts where I offered for him to choose a garage and arrange payment for the repairs to which he agreed and said he would ask around. It’s been a few weeks since and he hasn’t answered my calls or replied to my messages.

I’m not sure what the best next steps are, the damage is relatively minor from the outside but may be some more significant structural damage I can’t see. Would I likely be able to claim the money back from him through small claims court ? If I go through my insurance would I be responsible for paying for the excess if they can’t get hold of him?

Thanks in advance.