Car Insurance Claim - Please Help!

Meercat86_2

Hi,

I need some help. I accidentally reversed into a stationary car the other day. There were some very slight marks on the other car - but apart from that there didn't seem to be anything else. The other driver wanted to get his car checked out a garage and get a quote for repair of the scratches - and possibly check that the hand brake was still alright. I said fine and we exchanged details.

I talked to the other car owner and although he has not got his car checked out yet, his father thinks that there is damage to the back plates and the whole thing will have to be replaced. Obviously this sounds rather expensive.

As i am under 21, my policy has an excess of £470 - would i be better off paying the cost of repairs to the other driver directly rather than going through insurance if the cost is below £470? If it is slightly over would i still be better of paying it myself. I have one years no claim bonus and have just started the second year.

I have roughly calculated that if i can get 2 years NCB when i renew my insurance in one year my insurance will be about 500 pounds cheaper.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

impy78

You don't pay an excess for work to another party's car.


You would lose your ncd though...

gazza975526570

as above you wont have to pay your xs.

you could let the claim go through your insurer and see how much the cost is - if not too much and cheaper than the impact on your NCD simply contact your insurer and ask to pay back the claim

Meercat86_2

I thought i had to pay my excess - when someone hit me earlier in the year (non-fault), i had pay my excess first and then claim the money back through the legal part of norwich union.

Meercat86_2

I didn't realise i could put a claim in with my insurance but cancel it at a later date

Meercat86_2

Also i haven't let my insurance know yet. Should i do that asap?

gazza975526570

You cant "cancel" it as such but many insurers will allow you to pay off a claim after they have paid out on it. Give them a call and ask if they will allow it and chances are they will.

You only need to pay the xs in respect of damage caused to your car though. If in this claim there is no damage to yours then 100% you will have no excess to pay for your claim. If you wanted to claim for any damage to your car then you would be liable to pay your xs

Meercat86_2

As far as i can see there is very little damage to my car - it was mainly a bumper to bumper sort of collision. I am due for my MOT in about 1 month though, and i'm a bit scared that they'll find something terribly wrong with it even though i think there's not much there.

Should i let my insurance know about the claim even if i decide to pay it myself?

gazza975526570

To comply with the T&C of their policy yes you should let them know. If you plan on settling direct advise them you are registering it for "information only"

If there is hardly any damage to the bumper i would think it very unlikely there is any damage you cant see. Have you looked under the bonnet (if it was your front end)?

scheming_gypsy

how fast were you going, roughly, when you hit it

Meercat86_2

Not very. I was reversing out of a parking bay trying to straighten my car. less than 10mph i would think. The back bumper of my car hit the back of his. It was a very stupid accident and i am absolutely furious with myself. I don't know what on earth i was thinking.