car crash advice

mummyofboys

Hi

I really need some advice. My car was hit on Friday, he was going about 25mph behind me, I stopped at the round a bout and he went straight into the back of me, pushing me into the round about.

He pulled over, his headlight was smashed and there was extensive cosmetic damage to the back of my car ( boot is pressed in, crack down bumper and lamp not supported).

I have a witness and he admitted liability at the scene but when I called him later on he refused to report the incident or give me any insurance details.

I called up my insurance and reported it, now they are sayng that the likelyhood of my car being a total loss is high. My car is ford focus 2000. If this happens I will have no car, what will they likely pay me as a pay off for the car and will I have to then pay my insurance up till sept 2013 renewal as I pay monthly? Am I best of just living with the expense of repairing the bumper and living with the boot damage?

Or should I go down the route of writing it off? I don't know wether to cancel the claim or not, it seems so unfair that I will be worse off?!

I have never claimed before so I am not used to these things.Just to add my MOT and tax are due at the end of Jan so I really don't know what to do.

Thanks

Sgt_Pepper_2

You will have to pay for the full years insurance.

Your insurance should be claiming from the third party for this collision.

Splott

OK...

If the boot is pressed in then its been a hard whack and more will be revealed when the bumper is removed. Certainly the sides will most likely be bending inwards which you won't necessarily notice with the naked eye until you open the boot and then find the hole is narrower than the width of the boot when you come to close it. Another similar smack up the rear without it being properly repaired could be far worse. You cannot continue to drive it as it is with an unsecure rear light so just living with it isn't an option. It would not pass the MOT due at the end of the month.

The fact he doesn't report it to his insurers doesn't matter. You've got his details and a witness and hopefully photos too.

Unfortunately you need to continue to pay for the insurance. Most "monthly payment" policies are in fact a 12 month loan taken out with a finance company.

It will be a financial write off - the repairs are in the thousands for that. To get the best value for your vehicle you need to find several comparable cars and the prices they're being sold for, dig out all your service history - anything to prove its value. But being a 2000 Focus its not going to be a massive amount of money - £1000 to £1500 kind of bracket.

mummyofboys

I just spoke to admiral, they have said I won't be liable for any more payments on my insurance?? is this right?! he seemed insistant... He also said I could keep the policy if I got a new car (it might just go up abit) but if I didn't there wouldn't be anymore payments to make. I am confused.

I am expecting about 500quid for my car if that to be honest as its so old

Sgt_Pepper_2

Splott wrote: »

OK...

If the boot is pressed in then its been a hard whack and more will be revealed when the bumper is removed. Certainly the sides will most likely be bending inwards which you won't necessarily notice with the naked eye until you open the boot and then find the hole is narrower than the width of the boot when you come to close it. Another similar smack up the rear without it being properly repaired could be far worse. You cannot continue to drive it as it is with an unsecure rear light so just living with it isn't an option. It would not pass the MOT due at the end of the month.

The fact he doesn't report it to his insurers doesn't matter. You've got his details and a witness and hopefully photos too.

Unfortunately you need to continue to pay for the insurance. Most "monthly payment" policies are in fact a 12 month loan taken out with a finance company.

It will be a financial write off - the repairs are in the thousands for that. To get the best value for your vehicle you need to find several comparable cars and the prices they're being sold for, dig out all your service history - anything to prove its value. But being a 2000 Focus its not going to be a massive amount of money - £1000 to £1500 kind of bracket.

I'm not disputing it will be a wright off, but how can you say for certain what further damage will have been done without seeing it?

nomoneytoday

Usually any unpaid debt from the monthly payments is taken from the write off cheque. You can then take out another policy when you get the proceeds and buy a replacement car.

I would check the prices of replacement 2000MY Focus' to check the payout is fair.

pogofish

How many times can the OP post the same thread?

They have it going in at least two other forums, which smacks of something a bit more than "not knowing what to do"!

mummyofboys

Sorry just didn't know the best place to post! I normally use families so I did insurance and then seen motoring. I thought it is ok to post on several as the audience is different, I just wanted quick advice! Thanks for everyone who responded!

Admiral havnt said anything about money for insurance being deducted and they have said that the third party is liable for the excess money not me