really need help - accident and no MOT

McKneff

How much is your excess,

I really dont know why you are paying her costs yourelf, you pay your insurance for this.

Your premiums will still go up irrespective of who pays because you have had an accident, you are more of a risk now. They will up your premiums accordingly

Her insurance premiums are likely to go up too, not fair, she hasnt done anything wrong but it happens,
depending on who she is insured with.

marywooyeah

there's no excess, because the insurance company are not paying my damage only hers - so, if I pay hers directly and we cancel the claim theoritically there would be no need for insurance to pay her, therefore meaning that I would not lose my no claims or have insurance premiums go up.

that's partially what I was asking for advice on, whether or not what I have been told is correct or not, the secondary part is now that I have found out there is no mot what the recourse of that would be.

McKneff

You may not lose your NCD but you can be 100% sure your premiums will definitely go up, no question about that. Liek I say, you are more of a risk now so up they go whether you pay or your insurance pays.

Do you not have your NCD protected, if you do then go through your insurance.

marywooyeah

the operator on the phone told me if they pay my claims will go up in relation to her costs - but wasn't sure if it was on a £ for £ basis - and I'd lose my no claims but I don't really mind about that - that's why I'm trying to work out whether or not to cancel the claim and just pay her directly.

McKneff

Ring them again tomorrow, I believe if you havent got your NCD protected you maybe lose 2 years NCD, and your premium goes up,
(like i say, this will go up anyway) The amount of the claim is irrelevant. If its £200 or £2000,
Ring them and ask to speak to a supervisor, perhaps you might get to speak to someone who knows what they are talking about.

I know its awful, and Im sure you know how awful it is for the other person, (ive been hit twice in two years with no fault to me but it really is just as bad (not financially, but emotionally) for the third party, Her premium could well go up too. Dont forget, all this may change when you get the quote, garages notoriously up the prices for insurance jobs, so whilts you think it could be £400, dont hold your breath.
Let us know how you get on. And come back if you just need some moral support,
regards
Annie

thenudeone

marywooyeah wrote: »

thankyou, so basically if I go get the mot and pay her costs directly, will it all be ok?! I'm so worried!

You shouldn't pay her costs directly or even admit liability.

It is a condition of your policy that you let the insurer deal with any claims from third parties.

Some people are happy to settle without involving insurers, but if the other party later turn around and claim to have been injured it would get extremely messy for you if you didn't tell your insurers at the time. And if you do tell them, they will insist on dealing with it themselves.

marywooyeah

thenudeone wrote: »

You shouldn't pay her costs directly or even admit liability.

It is a condition of your policy that you let the insurer deal with any claims from third parties.

Some people are happy to settle without involving insurers, but if the other party later turn around and claim to have been injured it would get extremely messy for you if you didn't tell your insurers at the time. And if you do tell them, they will insist on dealing with it themselves.

she told me they'd phoned her and she'd already answered questions re personal injury, that she doesn't have any neck or back pain etc - i know she could later turn round and reverse this but she seems very reasonable and was so kind to me I really didn't deserve how nice she was I don't think she is the kind of person to make a false claim.

so basically, even if we cancel the claim, my insurance will still go up, so I might as well let them just pay it?

I'm grateful for all the replies x

McKneff

Think of it as a learning curve, accidents happen, it could have been a lot worse, in traffic, bounce off, lose control, up the side of the motorway/dural carrieage way, roll over, involve other cars, police at your door telling yor family you are not with us anymore, it happens, think how lucky you are, tis only metal, so its an extra 50 quid a year, thank goodness for that eh. £1 a week, nowt is it. ........
Perspective, life is too short anyway, good luck, hope things turn out for you. x
Annie

marywooyeah

McKneff wrote: »

think how lucky you are, tis only metal, so its an extra 50 quid a year, thank goodness for that eh. £1 a week, nowt is it. ........
Perspective, life is too short anyway, good luck, hope things turn out for you. x
Annie

now £50 a year I could live with lol, it's more like if it goes up by another grand! it was already £1100 and I struggled to afford that. I know it could have been a lot worse and I'm grateful no one was injured. my son was with me and if I lost him I just wouldn't be able to live so am seeing this accident as literally taking your eyes away for a few seconds can have such bad consequences, feel quite sad about the fact that the other driver did nothing wrong and it was all my fault, I am generally a good driver too so feel extra disappointed.

just trying to see the best way forward now, thanks for your help Annie x

Jakg

You might as well let the insurance pay - you've got no excess, and you've now got a declarable accident for your renewal / future policy so your premium will be loaded no matter what you do.

Had neither of you told your insurers, on the other hand...