Car Park crash - will insurance go 50/50?

harveybobbles

Ok, so about 3 weeks ago some one ran into me in supermarket carpark. Not much damage to their car, but my rear bumper is quite messy.

I pointed out I'm in the Motor Trade and was willing to get it repaired at cost as the other person seemed nice enough.

Anyway. I got several quotes for the damage and reported back to her with a price. Bosdyshops quoted about 480-580 for new bumper, prep, paint etc. But I said I was prepaired to accept 250 cash and I'll sort it myself via a 2nd hand bumper etc.

To which she agreed.

Now she wants to go thru the insurance, grrr.

But will it go 50/50 as it was in a carpark? I'll have to cough up my excess which is 300. And how will it effect my policy next year?

paddedjohn

if it was the other drivers fault then her insurance should cover it without you having to pay your excess.

Quentin

harveybobbles wrote: »

But will it go 50/50 as it was in a carpark? I'll have to cough up my excess which is 300. And how will it effect my policy next year?

It'll only go 50/50 if you are both equally liable! Nothing to do with the location of the incident.

If the third party accepts full liability, then you could pursue your claim direct with the third party or their insurer and not have to worry about your excess.

If it goes 50/50 then you will be able to claim 50% of your excess from the third party.

As far as next year's premium is concerned, unless the liability is settled 100% in your favour your NCD will be affected (if protected, you lose 1 "life", if unprotected no NCD is awarded for the current year and you lose 2 years), and your premium will be loaded. Even if it's finalised as non fault for you expect a premium loading.

Now the third party has involved her insurer you need to inform your own insurer of the incident.

fivetide

Did you get a witness?

I can see this suddenly becoming "the other car reversed into me" type claim.

5t.

harveybobbles

I'd stopped but couldnt move out of the way quick enough when I saw her coming at speed. She got out and admitted it was their fault.

If the third party accepts full liability, then you could pursue your claim direct with the third party or their insurer and not have to worry about your excess.

How do I claim off her ins without involving mine?

Or shall I just phoine my ins co tomorrow and let them deal with it? As this is what they are paid to do...

Wig

I think you'll have to tell your insurer now, tell them you just didn't have the time to phone them before now. Just because you tell them doesn't mean you have to make a claim out of it. You can just liase with her insurer direct, and if necessary bring your insurer into the equation at a later date.

If it was her fault her insurer will have to pay. Hopefully you have witnesses, or photogrraphs that back you up.

Quentin

harveybobbles wrote: »

How do I claim off her ins without involving mine?

You can contact them (phone or letter), say you hold her responsible for the damage, and ask that they will pay for all your costs incurred. Then take things forward after getting their reply.

You do need to inform your own insurer of the incident (though if you don't intend claiming off them at this stage, make it clear you are reporting the incident "for information only").

Alternatively you can claim off your own policy (assuming you have fully comp cover) - but this will entail you having to pay your excess and subsequently reclaim it off the third party after liability has been agreed. Also you could face some hassle if your renewal becomes due before the matter is settled as your insurer will probably reduce your NCD (unless protected) until they get full reimbursement off the third party. This in turn will increase your premium at renewal, though if the matter is resolved as a no fault claim and your NCD reinstated your premium should then be reduced and any overpayment refunded.

harveybobbles

Cheers for that.

Will ring the other person involed an get their ins details

mancitychick

harveybobbles wrote: »

And how will it effect my policy next year?

I found that my non fault claim did effect my premium the following year. It has been said insurance companys believe if you have had a non fault claim, your more likely to have a fault claim than a driver thats had no claims. Whether ins. Co's really believe that is anyones guess.

Flyboy152

I think the fact that she was willing to pay for the damage (until she realised how much paint and bumpers cost), will go someway to proving her admittance of liability.

sunshinetours

Unless she is telling her insurance company it was her fault or you have independent witnesses or proof she was happy to pay for damage, I would say it will be seen as shared blame unfortunately. I would also suggest she possibly knows this