Car Accident My Fault: Direct Line Insurance Question

tbs152

Hi all

I recently had an accident whereby I veered a little onto the other side of the road and hit another guy's wing mirror off. My wing mirror came right through my window! At the time he said he'd get one from a scrapyard and let me know the cost.

This was a week ago. In the meantime I've had my car fixed (not through insurance). He now claims the wing mirror will cost more than expected and wants to go through insurance.

I have a fully comp policy with 2 years' no claims. I also have no idea what to expect/do next. Will my insurance fully cover his repair and my premium will go up? Or will I have to shell out?

Any and all advice appreciated.

tbs152

bclark

Your insurance will cover his repair but I believe that you will have to personally have to pay out the excess on your insurance.

You will also then lose your no claims bonus and yes your premiums will go up as a result unfortunately.

LeeSouthEast

Insurance claims are expensive, unfortunately.

Excess: Between £50 and £250 with Direct Line, depending on your choice.
NCB: You lose 2 years for each claim on average (unless protected).
Premium: Rises with each claim.

In short - it'd be a good idea not to do it again

cyclonebri1

tbs152 wrote: »

Hi all

I recently had an accident whereby I veered a little onto the other side of the road and hit another guy's wing mirror off. My wing mirror came right through my window! At the time he said he'd get one from a scrapyard and let me know the cost.

This was a week ago. In the meantime I've had my car fixed (not through insurance). He now claims the wing mirror will cost more than expected and wants to go through insurance.

I have a fully comp policy with 2 years' no claims. I also have no idea what to expect/do next. Will my insurance fully cover his repair and my premium will go up? Or will I have to shell out?

Any and all advice appreciated.

tbs152

Ok It would not be unreasonable for a complete colour coded wing mirrror assembly to cost over £200, at a rough guess given your experience and what it could cost you in the long term, just pay the guy, you will win over time.

Just make sure it is a one and only total payment for all damage from the collision dated.... etc :money:

McKneff

Any particular reason he is saying that.

Even a new wing mirror might even be cheaper that your excess.

tbs152

Thanks for your replies.

So if my excess is (for the sake of argument as I don't know the exact figure off the top of my head) £250 and the repair is £200 - how much would I be liable to pay?

I thought it would be him that paid the excess for his repair then he'd be reimbursed by my insurer?

Thanks

cyclonebri1

tbs152 wrote: »

Thanks for your replies.

So if my excess is (for the sake of argument as I don't know the exact figure off the top of my head) £250 and the repair is £200 - how much would I be liable to pay?

I thought it would be him that paid the excess for his repair then he'd be reimbursed by my insurer?

Thanks

Pay the lot as I said:money:longterm.. So to save £50 you have a possible 30% hike in premium, which will take at a guess 4 years to equalise? NO BRAINER

tbs152

Yeah I agree with what you're saying, I'm just trying to get my head around how excess works in the case that the repair costs less than the excess?

McKneff

If the repair costs less than the excess then explain that to him and

Ask him not to go through his insurance and just pay for the new mirror.

If it £200 you save £50 (in excess) and dont have the hike in your insurance.

LeeSouthEast

Unless you write off a brand new car or kill someone, you rarely come out on top of an insurance claim.

tbs152

Right ok, thanks to all.

So if I offer to pay for the whole lot should I ask the guy to get more than one price for the repair? To be sure he's not trying to pull the wool over my eyes?

A wing mirror for a Saab can't be that much. I lost my whole wing mirror and driver's side window and that came to £300!