My girlfriend's car was hit today (nothing serious). What does she need to do?

mr_fishbulb

Hope someone can help. I've never owned a car so I don't really know what to advise her.

This morning during her drive to work, she was stopped and a car pulled out of a car park into the road infront of her. The driver looked one way but not her way, so in pulling out, he ripped part of the her front bumper off, and scratching underneath of where the bumper goes.

She got his name and number, but what does she need to do now?

Just get quotes and tell the guy, he can decide if he is going through his insurance company or not?

I'm guessing she needs to tell her insurance company even if she is not going through them?

Thanks

Quentin

If she has comprehensiove cover she needs to decide whether to claim off her own insurance (where she will have to pay any excess on her policy, and reclaim that later from the third party, assuming liability isn't disputed)

If she only has third party cover, then she should claim against the third party (or their insurance company). Get a quote and send it to them, asking them to confirm they will pay for all costs involved as a result of the incident.

Whatever the route she decides to take she does need to inform her insurer about the incident. If she decides not to claim from her own insurer, then make sure she makes clear to her insurer that she is reporting the incident for information only and does not wish to make a claim.

mr_fishbulb

Thanks Quentin. She called the insurance company (fully comp). They are going to claim against the guy's insurance company. Won't affect her no claims if he accepts liability.

dogbot

Hi OP. Some other things she might like to think about now:

Assuming the third party accepts liability, she will probably have to pay her excess for the repairs and claim this back from the third party insurers. If she has legal expenses cover with her motor policy then she should activate this and they will claim the money back for her. Alternativly she could ask her insurer if they will waive the excess if liability is accepted.

If she needs an alternative vehicle while hers is being repaired, contact the other parties insurers directly and ask for one (again, if they have accepted liability). This will mean she should get one quickly and without having to sign a credit hire agreement or only get a group A vehicle from her insurer.