Car Incident

mother_hen_2

Could anyone offer any advice.
Yesterday a car went into the back of my car whilst I was queing on a roundabout. The owner of the car got out and admitted it was his fault. Today we have had a phone call from his insurance company saying 'the driver has admitted liability'.
My car wasn't damaged too badly in fact it is a broken light therefore I do not wish to claim through my insurance.

Given that he has made a claim do I have to claim also via my insurance or can I 'ignore' the calls from his company and hope it all goes away.
Thankyou

vaio

You have to tell your insurer but don't have to claim via your policy.

If you want your car repaired then talk to his insurance company and claim direct off them. I'd take your car to a garage to get it checked over for unseen damage and get a quote to repair it which his insurer should agree and pay for. They might try and steer you towards one of their approved repair centres but you can choose your own garage.

When you tell your insurer about the "incident" it's likely they will sell your details on so expect calls encouraging you to make a whiplash claim and/or trying to sign you up for credit hire/repair, neither of which are needed. (unless of course you actually have whiplash and/or the at fault insurer starts being obstructive)

terrylamps

No you don't have to put a claim in if you don't want to but since the other driver has admitted liability why pay for the repair yourself when his insurance will pay for it?

You do need to inform your insurance either way about the accident as they will find out about it as it will go on the insurance database.

If you do claim you can claim from his insurance direct so you won't have to pay any excess. If you claim through your own insurance you MAY have to pay your excess but you will get this back though it will probably be waivered as it was not your fault. Your insurance will recover all costs from his insurance.

Either way will not affect your ncd though you will need to declare the accident as non fault on future insurance policy's.

mother_hen_2

Thankyou for your replies - I do believe I have whiplash to be honest, therefore would I need to claim through my insurance for this or his?

chanz4

You will 100% have to tell your insurance then, also the other company will put it on cue

vaio

If you tell your insurer you have suspected whiplash then they will undoubtedly sell your details to a PI firm.

if you google cash back personal injury you'll find firms that will give you the referral fee they would have given your insurer

mother_hen_2

oh dear I wish this all hadn't happened, I thought that the insurance company would have sorted out any claim for injuries received I didn't realised I had to use a separate injuries claim firm for this I thought that is why I paid for 'legal cover' through my insurance - I guess I will have to see how it goes -my neck shoulder (and base of spine) appears to be seizing up this evening, perhaps I am just tired and by tomorrow it will be gone I just wanted to say thankyou so much for your guidance.

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

You should claim through your insurance company. this is why you pay it and take extras such as legal cover. If the other party has admitted liability, then you are not going to lose out

It is the same as paying for your grocery shop and not taking it home!

mother_hen_2

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth wrote: »

It is the same as paying for your grocery shop and not taking it home!

Love that statement it made me smile.. fair point.. thankyou

terrylamps

You're legal cover will cover you for a whiplash claim or any other unisured losses, eg, excess (if you have to pay it), days of work etc, so you can go through your insurance if you want to. They will pass you on to their preferred solicitor to deal with the claim.

mother_hen_2

Thankyou I have advised my insurance company - though it appeared they already knew- I guess from the other persons claim.
They confirmed I wouldn't have to pay excess if I claimed or loose my no claims but they did confirm that it would impact on future quotes for me 'they look at risks' apparently. Even though it wasn't my fault it seems I will be penalised along the way..