Requiring (at fault) accident advice.

ayupmiduck1

Good morning,

On Monday, I was involved in minor car accident where I shunted the vehicle in front of me whilst approaching lights. My car didn't stop on the ice and I went into him (max 5mph)

I drive an astra and the damage to my car is minimal, slight scratching on bonnet and dumper damage.

The guy in front was driving a hire van (works for the hire company - big national) and I have caused slight damage to the runner on the vans tail lift (slightly bent out of place)

We swapped details and I called my insurance company. I am informed that I have no excess to pay unless I claim for the damage on my own vehicle, but obviously if he makes a claim (likely) my premiums are going to sky rocket.

It cost me £1400 to insure this year (1 years no claims) and that was bearly affordable, I can ill afford to pay more.

Question: Is it worth me calling his organisation and see if a claim is being filed and finding out the amount? Then trying to sort a settlement outside of the insurance. How would I go about this? Is there a template letter or something similiar?
Or should I just leave it and see if a claim is filed and bite the bullet and let my insurer handle it?

First time I have had an accident (been driving 2 years) so I am a bit clueless. As an organisation, is it likely they would have a policy where everything is dealt with through insurance?

Thanks in advance for any advice or pointers

spacey2012

Did you take photographs of all the damage.

Quentin

A claim against you is almost certain.

When it is concluded you can reimburse your insurer its outlay and thereby keep your ncd - if cost effective.

The incident is now on your record so there is nothing you can do about any premium loading that ensues.

McKneff

To be honest, I would leave it with your insurance company to deal with.

'slight' damage to a tail lift can cost an awful lot of money.

Even if you pay for the damage yourself your premium is going to rise because the ins. company know about the incident and will adjust your premium accordingly because you are now more of a risk.

Sorry.

ayupmiduck1

spacey2012 wrote: »

Did you take photographs of all the damage.

Yes I did.

spacey2012

That will help limit the value of the claim, make this known to your insurance.

ayupmiduck1

Quentin wrote: »

A claim against you is almost certain.

When it is concluded you can reimburse your insurer its outlay and thereby keep your ncd.

The incident is now on your record so there is nothing you can do about any premium loading that ensues.

If any outlay is affordable for me to repay and I take that route with the insurer, will the record of the incident be shared with other insurers should I choose to switch providers with my no claims still intact?

Hope that makes sense.

and thanks everyone

Quentin

Yes.

Irrespective of how this is dealt with, the incident will now be shared, as it is now on your record, and you must disclose it to any other insurers you approach for quotes over the next 3 to 5 years depending on the length of history they ask about.

But if you do pay and keep your ncd then it will be valid and the claim will be non fault.

Sgt_Pepper_2

Quentin wrote: »

Yes.

Irrespective of how this is dealt with, the incident will now be shared, as it is now on your record, and you must disclose it to any other insurers you approach for quotes over the next 3 to 5 years depending on the length of history they ask about.

But if you do pay and keep your ncd then itwill be valid and the claim will be non fault.

How would the claim be non fault?

Sgt_Pepper_2

McKneff wrote: »

To be honest, I would leave it with your insurance company to deal with.

'slight' damage to a tail lift can cost an awful lot of money.

Even if you pay for the damage yourself your premium is going to rise because the ins. company know about the incident and will adjust your premium accordingly because you are now more of a risk.

Sorry.

You an expert in tail lifts?

Quentin

Sgt_Pepper wrote: »

How would the claim be non fault?

Because if the insurer is reimbursed in full that's what it will be!

("Fault" and "non fault" claims don't refer to "blame" - you can be blameless and still get a fault claim eg. after being struck by an unidentified third party, or having your car vandalised etc)