(I am not defending either party here, merely sharing an opinion/observation)So many cyclists on the road take liberties. My other half is a cat 2 British cyclist( as well as being a cartographer and Army PTI) and he's constantly shouting at cyclists that think the rules of the road don't apply to them.
With regards to insurance, he already pays it for his car, and then accident cover for him and his bike, and then separate cover for his racing licence...so many cyclists on the road give others a bad name and it's frustrating.
The only time he upsets car drivers is when he sets of speed cameras in 30 and 40 mph limits.
He got knocked off his bike on the cat and fiddle in March by some Idiot in a car that didn't even bother stopping.
It cost £4000 for a new road race bike, and he couldn't train for 3 weeks because of the amount of skin missing from his leg.
I think us car drivers should be more lenient with cyclists(or at least give them room to fall off when passing them!!) after being out on a few motor pacing sessions with Mike, I cant help notice that a lot of car drivers have no clue how to act round cyclists.
As for the damage to your car, I feel for you, and the cyclist was of course in the wrong...I say you should have hit him...cyclists that don't observe the rules of the road deserve to get hit by cars.(and they are softer than kerbs).it might teach them to stop being such ignorant sods!