Advice after driver hits our car and drives off

marks77

Hi
Looking for a bit of advice......
Whilst my husband was driving to work this morning someone has hit the front (drivers side) bumper. My husband was sat at a junction when a car decided to swing round, catching the front bumper, lights etc. My husband pulled over in anticipation that said vehicle would turn round and come back but they drove off. He has returned home, reported to the police, they have said give it 24 hours see if other driver also reports. My question is now what do we do? Should I phone the insurance company now or wait until we speak to the police again?
Assuming the other driver doesn't report, how will this stand with our insurer?

Many Thanks In Advance!

Catherine_Johnson_2

marks77 wrote: »

Hi
Looking for a bit of advice......
Whilst my husband was driving to work this morning someone has hit the front (drivers side) bumper. My husband was sat at a junction when a car decided to swing round, catching the front bumper, lights etc. My husband pulled over in anticipation that said vehicle would turn round and come back but they drove off. He has returned home, reported to the police, they have said give it 24 hours see if other driver also reports. My question is now what do we do? Should I phone the insurance company now or wait until we speak to the police again?
Assuming the other driver doesn't report, how will this stand with our insurer?

Many Thanks In Advance!

If it needs a repair then tell your insurance company. This is one of the reasons why we have insurance.

Strider590

I bet it'll be another uninsured driver OR an elderly driver like the one who smacked my car up in a Teco carpark and didn't even know he'd done it!

You should tell your insurance (this will increase your premiums slightly, claim or no claim), but don't make a claim until they've tracked down the other car and found them to be insured (you could do this yourself using the askmid website).

If you make a claim and they don't catch this person, you WILL more than pay for the repair cost with increased premiums for the next few years.

marks77

Unfortunately my husband wasn't able to get the other drivers registration.....he hit him and carried straight on in the other direction.
So, i'm right in thinking we will be liable for the cost regadless of the fact that my husband was stationary at a junction?!

Tilt

I assume you got the reg details of the other car. The other driver has already commited one offence which the police COULD speak to him about; failing to stop and exchange details. It appears though they are only interested in whether he 'reports' the accident which he has 24 hours to do so. Not a great help to you though. I suggest you re-visit the police station and ask to make a report of 'failing to stop and exchange details after an accident' as you will need a crime ref when informing your insurers which i suggest you do asap. They will then do the rest. Word of waring though, it's likely that the other driver wasn't insured so if your damage is excessive and you make a claim, you may loose your excess and NCB (if it isn't protected).

Tilt

marks77 wrote: »

Unfortunately my husband wasn't able to get the other drivers registration.....he hit him and carried straight on in the other direction.
So, i'm right in thinking we will be liable for the cost regadless of the fact that my husband was stationary at a junction?!

Unless someone got his number, then yes. Was still typing my previous post when you posted this.

Was there any CCTV in the area?

marks77

As far as I'm aware there is no cctv.
The police did ask my husband to go in when he could to complete a report (not sure what), but as he had to get to work he will do this after work/in the morning.
Do we have a certain timescale to report to insurance company? Wondering whether it will be better to wait the 24 hours to see if anything is reported? (wishful thinking I know!)
Also, our car is a lease car so I assume I will need to contact them also? Insurance is arranged independenlty from lease.

andygb

If you do not know the other driver's details, then there is no hope of claiming without losing money in the long run.
Best to get the car repaired as cheaply as possible, without notifying your insurance company, and hope it doesn't happen again.
Just seen that it is a lease car, so you are bound by the rules of the leasing company.
Bad luck.

fivetide

Whats your car like? Might be better taking the hit and fixing it yourself (or leaving it if it is only a commuter hack) so you don't pay the higher premiums. I think you might be liable for the excess anyway if the insurer can't recover it.

5t.

thenudeone

andygb wrote: »

Best to get the car repaired as cheaply as possible, without notifying your insurance company

First bit - agree. common sense.

Second bit - very dangerous. you are obliged to tell insurers about every incident, under the T's and Cs. What if the other driver has your details and makes a claim against you? Also, when you take out a new policy you are asked to list any incidents. Failing to give correct information to obtain motor insurance is a criminal offence.