Potentially not using insurance for accident, wise?

JamesN

Hey guys,

Someone bumped into the back of my car on a round about. Obviously his fault and he would do well to get out of it.

Took his name, address and insurance etc.

I've not taken the car to a garage yet but as far as I can see the damage appears to be just a scratch to the paintwork on the bumper, possibly the fitting on the lighting is broke as well.

Basically i'm thinking of not going through the insurance as I don't want it listed as i know they'll still increase my premium. Also the guy who's fault it was has a very hefty insurance excess which IMO is probably more than the damage.

I guess in order to not get myself ripped off what would be the best way to go about it?

My friend said to tell my insurance 'for information only' just in case it gets messy down the line.

I'm not one of these scumbags that will feign a whiplash claim and only want my car in the condition it was before as i'm due to be selling it soon.

Also he hasn't formally said he will admit liability but i'm assuming (risky i know) that as hes gone into the back of me and my passenger is a witness (she is a chartered accountant if that adds any clout) that it would be highly unlikely that he could claim against me.

Anyone got any advice?

Its a stress/hassle i really didn't need this weekend!

Thanks in advance guys

forgotmyname

If the other driver informed their insurance you need to inform yours right away.

They will be wondering why you have not informed them of this incident.

Your passenger is biased.

You can inform then of the incident and claim directly from the other drivers insurance. But you still need to declare it for upto 5 years.

Aretnap

It's not necessarily true that a no fault claim will always increase your premium. Some insurers will apply a small loading for them, but others won't load for them at all.

His excess doesn't affect your right to claim your full repair costs from his insurers.

You're required to inform your insurers of all accidents whether you claim for them or not, and failure to do so could invalidate your cover. If you accept a wad of cash and have it fixed privately you'd *probably* get away with not telling them (whether that makes it OK is down to your own moral compass) but if the other guy's told his own insurers the chances of it coming back to bite you on the bum at some point increases.

Guest101

I think you're fine, chnces are he wont report a clear at fault claim.

regarding reporting to your insurance, its what yu define as an accident.

certainly most no-fault claims dont add very much, if anything.

torbrex

JamesN wrote: »

Hey guys,

Someone bumped into the back of my car on a round about. Obviously his fault and he would do well to get out of it.

Took his name, address and insurance etc.

I've not taken the car to a garage yet but as far as I can see the damage appears to be just a scratch to the paintwork on the bumper, possibly the fitting on the lighting is broke as well.

Last time my car got rear-ended, I looked and thought there was no damage at all but still took it to get checked, the bill was over £400 to re-align the boot and repair dammaged struts at the rear.

gilbert_and_sullivan

JamesN, you sound like a decent bloke, used to be the majority not so sure now.

In these circumstances you can only rely on your gut instinct as to whether the bloke who hit you is another honourable bloke.

What you are suggesting is the way we would all have sorted such a minor bump out in years gone by, unfortunately people have changed beyond all recognition and there is a whole shady industry of con men waiting in the wings to escalate the mole hill into mountain territory.

I hope the chap appreciates you and does the decent thing.

I too would inform your insurance for information only at this stage.

JamesN

Thanks guys,

i've informed the insurance to go through as a non fault claim.

Apparently he won't need to pay his excess as long as he is not claiming for the damage to his car.

You never can trust people these days and its the safest option for me!