Accident- looks like no damage (to my car)

doningtonphil

hello

I had an accident today. Ran into back of stationary car in traffic.

I hit the brakes but not soon enough. Speed was max 30 mph before braking. Anyway, any advice please on the following:

1) the guy was polish and said it was his first experience of a crash in this country. He wanted to call the Police. I told him we didn't need to. We exchanged name, phone number and insurance details (meant my wife finding out as I had to phone her for policy details!!!). I will not be claiming as apparent little damage to my car (13 reg focus titanium estate). He will probably claim. Do I need to advise my insurer or just wait for them to become aware after his claim?

2) The only apparent damage to my car apart from superficial grazing across the front edge of the bumper is that the plastic lug for a screw on the headlamp assembly has snapped, probably where the bumper flexed. Do I need a whole new lamp cluster or is there a part of the headlamp cluster that can be replaced? Where is the best place to source a new part?As I mentioned, it looks like there is no damage. Is there anywhere else I need to look, will there be mayhem hidden somewhere beneath the surface? All the panels and edges still line up beautifully

3) The 54 ref Volkswagen Passat estate had a splintered bumper but more worringly the leading edges (adjacent to rear wheel arch are flared out slightly and the boot lip has pushed into the boot so the carpet spare wheel cover does not quite sit flat. It looks like the bumper is pushed forward up to 1/4". Is it just the bumper or is there mayhem under there?

Really annoyed as I was almost at my destination - it was the final turning that I had just missed and was distracted looking at the next turn. Any answers to the above would be appreciated

Iceweasel

You should be telling your insurance company asap.

Why do you intend not claiming?

I would suggest that there may well be damage you are not aware of.

You will lose your NCB (unless it's protected) but your premiums will probably go up anyway.

Be prepared for a huge claim from the other party as you have described some pretty expensive damage to their vehicle.

Even if you claim nothing at all, your Insurance Company is going to have to foot a large bill.

doningtonphil

Iceweasel

I dont intend to claim as (at first glance at least) there only appears to be the headlamp damage. Initially googles show a replacement to cost about 90 to 150 pounds - less than my excess.

I thought ncb (9 years plus) was protected but it isnt. Do I lose all 9 years? In reality what sort if discount has 9 years been attracting?

One other question. I have my own car that I am the insurer of which has been the one to accumulate no claims. This car is a company car. The policy is in the name of the business with me as the main driver (along with a director and my wife as other drivers).

When the policy was taken out, they agreed to mirror the ncb I had accrued on my own private policy. As the business will be making the claim on the policy in their name would the personal ncb I have accrued still stand ? (although I would have to state I have been involved in an accident in the last 5 years)

Quentin

At renewal you will have 3 years ncd. (A claim usually costs 2 years, usually deducted from a max of 5 years).

You can do dummy quotes online with this claim and 3 years ncd to get an idea of how your premium is affected.

doningtonphil

Thanks quentin

I amended my post to ask another question about ncb. Can you help with that?

Quentin

You look to have 2 cars??

If so, only the ncd on the car involved will be affected by the claim.

spacey2012

Expect him to file a personal injury claim and did you photograph his car ?

doningtonphil

I think I need to clarify with the insurer.

You are correct. At the time of taking out a policy on the company car I had my own car, insured with 9 years ncd.

The certificate of the company car shows insured: company name, but my home address. 3 named drivers but me highlighted as main driver. Company pays premiums

They agreed to offer to match the ncd on my own policy.

Is this an unusual way fo a company car to be insured?

doningtonphil

Yes I did photo the car, well the bumper primarily including the pointy bits that form part of the wheel arch. Also took a quick one as we both got ready to set off, through his back window to try to demonstrate there was only him.

I recalled my dad being involved in a collision and he received 3 separate letters from 3 law firms over the course of several months. Although only 1 person was in the car the claims for whiplash all had different numbers of occupants claiming whiplash!