My car was hit whilst parked

od017

Thanks - I really should have read your message thoroughly!

I've just been to the askMID site, and everything there seems pretty straightforward. It's surprising how much information about a vehicle owner can be obtained with just a reg number!

Sorry to keep asking questions, but have you any experience of having made a claim directly with someone else's insurer? Is there anything specific I should do/say?

Thanks again.

Quentin

Ask the insurer if they have an innocent third party claims department who can help you over damage done by their insured.

Explain the circs and ask if they will deal with your claim.

thenudeone

od017 wrote: »

I spoke again with the police today and I have been informed that the other motorist hadn't reported it, so they've missed the deadline of 24 hours in which to report it.

Just for information, even if the driver reported it after 23 hours they would almost certainly have still broken the law.

There is a common misconception that you can wait up to 24 hours to report an accident.

Accidents must be reported as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any case with 24 hours.
Road Traffic Act 1988 s170 (6) (b)
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/section/170

Everyone forgets the first part of the law.

Someone living in the Highlands or Islands of Scotland might have an excuse for taking 24 hours to get to a police station but others don't.

However, I can understand the police waiting, just in case a person does have a genuine excuse for taking so long.

od017

Just an update:

I acquired the third party's details from askMID (thanks Quentin), and have consequently been in touch with them and informed them of the accident. They say they will contact the driver and see if he admits liability. I guess I just have to see if that happens. If he doesn't, I have photos in my possession and witness statements that I can get from the couple who took the photos. Additionally, I'm waiting to hear back about the possibility of CCTV footage as all council car parks where I live are covered by CCTV. I presume his insurance company will contact him in writing, so I'll probably start pestering them at the end of this week.

I guess we'll see how successful I am doing this myself, as opposed to through my insurance company.

As for the police (thanks for your advice nude one!) I'm unsure whether I should expect anything to come of this. I plan to speak to them again tomorrow and ask for an update to the situation.

Quentin

Whatever action the police take over him not stopping won't have any bearing on the civil issue of liability.

Assuming the insurer accepts liability you can ask for the repairs to be carried out at your choice of garage, and that they supply you a replacement car whilst yours is repaired.

When it's all sorted, write in with a copy of the Askmid receipt and ask them to reimburse you along with any other expenses you incur over this.

od017

Thanks so much for all the advice.

I've just had a call back from the company representing the third party and they've admitted liability, which is great.

I also enquired about retrieving costs, eg askMID. Also, as my car is a diesel, should I ask to be reimbursed for increased fuel costs if I'm given a petrol as a hire car, due to driving 400 miles p/week?

pinkteapot

Your fuel costs may not be increased - depends on the mpg of your car and the hire car....

Quentin

od017 wrote: »

I also enquired about retrieving costs, eg askMID. Also, as my car is a diesel, should I ask to be reimbursed for increased fuel costs if I'm given a petrol as a hire car, due to driving 400 miles p/week?

Now they are accepting liability, all your reasonable expenses will be reimbursed to you.

Just keep a record and receipts of all your expenses then when the car has been repaired and returned to you send in your "bill" along with all the receipts (keep copies) and details.

od017

Super, thanks Quentin.