Hit by uninsured driver - need help

Sarah2490

So that I don't go on an on I will just give the facts if anyone can give me any help please do

*My car was hit whist parked outside my house

*The girl driving had a learner license and was not insured to drive. The car is her mums who does have insurance and her step dad was in the car with her

*I called the police as soon as I found out she was not insured and they have all the details (3 police cars was a little more that I expected!) They say she will go to court for driving without insurance

*My car is worth less than the excess and the police said he is 99% sure it's a write off

*They have have offered £400 for the car (they take the car) I have not accepted or taken this as I told them I need to think (not sure if they will up hold this though!)

I am a first time driver (passed Nov 11) so I have not yet got any no claims. I am insured fully comp with Admiral.

I have a feeling I am screwed no matter what and I will probably never be able to get insurance ever again as the cost will be so high ( I paid £1500 as a new driver for this years cover!)

My questions are -

*What should I do?
*where do I stand?
*Can the MIB help?
*Would my insurance claim my excess back form them?
*If I tell the insurance but don't claim what will happen to my no claims and my premium next year (couldn't call yesterday as it said they were only open till 4pm!)
* If I don't make a claim and get a new car can I transfer my cover to the new car?

Thank you for any help I really don't know what's what!

verityboo

It appears they have offered you £400, how much is your car worth?

peter_the_piper

Who offered the £400.oo? If the insurabce company then that is ony their starting offer, haggle with them, ask for way more than yoiu expect to get and they will up their price. You may have to do this a few times.

maninthestreet

So how much was your actually worth? What make/model is it, how old is it, and how much is it worth? How much did you pay for it?

Sarah2490

The people that hit the car have offered the £400 for them to buy the car off me. I think it's because they don't want me going through their insurance.

The care is an old 1998 R reg Polo. Th car had been my aunt & uncle car from new and they gave me the car as a gift so I did not pay for the car. Although it is old it has full service history (serviced every year by a VW garage and only every had work done by them) it's a clean good running car (or should I say it was!)

I have checked Auto trader and they go for around £450-500 and I have checked glass's (?) and it says trade in £300 or Dealer cost £900

Tilt

If the car itself is subject to an insurance policy then the insurers have an obligation to deal with any third party claim.

Tilt

Sarah2490 wrote: »

The people that hit the car have offered the £400 for them to buy the car off me. I think it's because they don't want me going through their insurance.

The care is an old 1998 R reg Polo. Th car had been my aunt & uncle car from new and they gave me the car as a gift so I did not pay for the car. Although it is old it has full service history (serviced every year by a VW garage and only every had work done by them) it's a clean good running car (or should I say it was!)

I have checked Auto trader and they go for around £450-500 and I have checked glass's (?) and it says trade in £300 or Dealer cost £900

If it was in good nick and average mileage I would think £600 would be nearer the mark. BUT if it goes via the insurers you may only get the trade in value but never accept their first offer.

thegirlintheattic

Go through insures and haggle. Then sue the uninsured for difference in cost (usually insurer will offer less than it will cost to buy a replacement) , hire car and increased premiums.

Don't feel guilty, silly girl should have had insurance.

colino

I see, so the uninsured learner with an incompetent co-driver wants some of the hassle to go away. Tough.
Unless they buy your car from you for at least £1000 to cover your loss and time, why should you remotely consider assisting them to continue to side-step law or common decency?
No doubt they see your car as a banger that jumped in front of them, while it is of more sentimental value to you that they will never in a month of sundays choose to recognise.

richard734

Your chioce, at that age of car, will any you find have a 'trustworthy' history like yours has?
Dont forget that even if you dont make a claim, you will still be out by at least
- teh value of fuel left in the car , no small amount given todays prices, £45 sound reasonable?
- Tax Disk, unless you return the tax disk now, you will lose a months worth of tax, £20 - £30?
- Insurance admin. If you buy a new car and transfer teh insurance, you will most likely be charged an admin fee

Other losses, work and effort you have put into the car, and teh work you may have to do to a new car to bring it up to scratch. The hassle of getting it recovered/scrapped

Be aware, that the other parties are liable for everyones costs, including the legal fees for the MIB and insurance company when they go to recover their costs, a conservative estimate, maybe £2-3k all in if they cant make you go away.

Do you have legal cover on your insurance? It might be worth giving them a call on teh free help and advice line, it should not count against your insurance as a claim as the legal option is a completly seperate policy.

banger9365

hit them very hard ,people like that make us law abiding people pay more in insurance
i would be going for the sentimental value not the book price