car accident advice to anyone

VICSH

Hi everyone
I was after some advice on my way to work this morning I had a scrap completely my fault (car was parked) Was pretty shaken upset I knocked on a few doors and found the owner's address. I knocked and he wasnt there so I left my detials.

Anyway the excess on my car insurance is £250 he caleld to say he had got quotes for £300 for the damage to his car if I didnt want to go through insurance. Can we do this? I am jsut thinking about my premium in the future etc. Do I declare an accident to insurance when I renew if I dont go through insurance? Do I just get a quote for my car and pay for it myself when I can.

Sorry for all the questions I ma hoping somoen can help me bit losty with it all

thanks

McKneff

You have to inform your insurance company whether you go through them or not. If forms part of your contract and it is in every insurance companies terms and conditions. The person you hit also has to inform their insurance company for INFORMATION ONLY.

Let them know its for INFORMATION ONLY' if you decide to pay for it yourself, unfortunaetly your premium will still probably rise as you are now considered more of a risk.

All insurances use a central data base now so if you dont inform them it may come back and bite you in the bum and refuse and future claim.

Quentin

You won't have any excess to pay if you aren't claiming for damage to your car.

The third party will expect all his costs paying (eg he may need car hire whiklst his car is in for repair, and more damage could come to light during the repairs etc).

If you put this through your insurer and the final cost makes it worthwhile you can reimburse them and get your NCD reinstated.

See how much your car is to repair and decide whether or not to claim once you know the extent of your damage (taking into account the excess would have to be paid)

But whatever you decide, your policy conditions are that you must inform your insurer of the incident (if you aren't going to claim, then tell them it's for information only).

lisyloo

Yes you can pay him direct.
I would want to get something in writing to say it's in "full and final settlement" for the accident on xx/xxx/xx, but I'm not an expert on what would make that legally binding.

You must delare the accident and it might put up your premiums, but there is nothing you can do about that, because if you don't tell the truth and it's uncovered later, it might render your insurance useless anyway, so you just have to fess up I'm afraid.

VICSH

thank you all so much I have been panicing all day about what to do I will get a quote for my car and work it out from there. Sincerely thanks you have lifted a massive weight!

lisyloo

If you want to know how much your premiums will rise (in any scenario) then get quotes from comparison sites (use false email and phone number).
Put in current details, get prices.
Then edit and put in new (reduced?) NCD and your claim. Your NCD won't be reduced if it's protected and usually goes down 2 years if not protected. You can then see the new prices.
Bear in mind you'll have to declare the accident for probably 3 years.
So for an approximation, multiply the increment by 3 and add your excess (if claiming for your own car).
This is only an approximation as prices and rules can change at any time, but it will give you a "ball park" for what to expect.

kingstreet

As you were involved in a collision where damage was caused, I suggest you report the matter to the Police. This may be a routine issue, however it wouldn't be the first time when things didn't go their way a "victim" has later reported to the Police and the driver then gets an unwelcome failing to report and careless driving allegation.

Quentin

No need to report this to the police - they won't be interested! (The "damage" done doesn't mean you need to report to the police). "Failing to report" doesn't come into it.

kingstreet

Quentin - in the circumstances set out by the OP I'm pretty sure he's done enough and the matter won't arise. Just precautionary advice, really.

It wouldn't be the first time (I'm a member of a well-known motoring advice forum) a driver has believed he's settled everything with the other side, to then find an unwelcome S172 drop on his doormat alleging failing to stop, failing to report and driving without due care and attention.

You're probably right about lack of interest from the BiB.

VICSH

Should I report to the police then?
The guy was pretty insistent last night not to go through my insurance company but I have decided for the hassle factor and the guy isnt particulary pleasant (as I sure I wuoldnt be if some stupid woman crashed into my car). Thank you all for your help though!!!

Quentin

As you have exchanged details with the third party and no-one was injured you don't need to report this to the police.

As you are letting your insurer deal with this, should the third party contact you, just firmly tell him to contact his insurer as you have contacted yours and let them sort it out.

If you get any correspondence from the third party (or his representative) just pass it on unanswered to your insurer to deal with.