Car insurance and garages

saker75

Hi all,

A friend crashed into the back of my car earlier today. She is mortified and there is no question of liability. There isn't much damage but i suspect my bumper will need to be replaced.

I have never had an accident before. What do I need to do? Do I go t my mechanic and ask him to liaise with my insurers or do I speak to my insurers before taking it to a garage?

Thanks

S

neilmcl

If going through insurance then get your friends details, if you haven't already, and claim directly off them. You will only need to let your insurer know for "information only" if you choose to do so.

Ultrasonic

If you want to involve insurance companies then you each need to contact your respective insurance companies and then proceed as they advise. A typical insurance policy requires you to report all accidents within 24 hours.

neilmcl

Ultrasonic wrote: »

A typical insurance policy requires you to report all accidents within 24 hours.

Really? I've never seen this stipulation before.

Ultrasonic

neilmcl wrote: »

Really? I've never seen this stipulation before.

OK, I haven't done a detailed survey of insurance policies but it is definitely in mine. It states:

All accidents and losses should be notified to us within 24 hours of the occurance.

Although I note this says 'should' rather than 'must'.

Ultrasonic

I just had a quick nose through the following Aviva policy document and can't see a similar requirement of quick reporting, so perhaps my policy is unusual. (I'm insured with People's Choice, one of the Hastings Direct group of insurers.)

http://www.aviva.co.uk/library/pdfs/multi-vehicle/NMDMG10249.pdf

Edit: the relevant part of this contract states:

You must report any accident, injury, loss or damage to us as soon as possible so we can tell you what to do next and help resolve any claim.

flashg67

Strictly speaking, you should both tell your insurers, even if you don't intend to claim, which will possibly affect both your premiums for years to come.
However, if you trust the friend to pay for the repairs, ahem, who's to know if you don't tell them?

neilmcl

Bottom line is you should always try and claim of the 3rd party insurer where possible and only inform your own for information only.

saker75

Thanks for all the responses guys.

InsideInsurance

Most insurers, yours or theirs, will have approved repairers. Its up to you if you want to use your own repairer or their approved one (though Aviva does charge its own customers an additional XS for using their own).

The advantage of approved repairers tends to be that repairs are easier authorised, extra warranties on repairs and the insurer is on the hook for recommending them.

Obviously some are picky over who touches their car and so own garage is better for them plus if claiming from your own policy then you can often get a courtesy car even if your insurance doesn't provide one. In your situation the TP insurer will provide a replacement vehicle and so this last point is irrelevant to you