Bumped car, No damage, legal advice plz

willj1

My friend has recenly rolled his car into another at a pedestrian crossing, the only damage done was on the other partys car. The damage was the plastic cover in the pumper that keeps in the toe bar hook covered. The plastic cover came apart but was still on its inges (no other dents or scuffs to the bumper). My friend gave his details out to the other person: name, address, insurance company and telephone number and the other person gave my friend theres. As they was very little damage, my friend suggested that she take it to get fixed and my friend will pay. Where does my friend stand legaly if the other person comes back with a ridiculous quote and even tries to claim whiplash etc.... when abviously the car was hardly hit? My friend has a lot of years no claims bonuses so dosnt really want it to go through there, he is also fully comp. any advice will be most appreciated, thankyou.

WestonDave

For any injury claim they'd need expert medical evidence so the concern is probably minimal on that score. Similarly unless the person is in cahoots with a garage, its going to be pretty hard to over egg the damage claim. However be aware that plastic bumpers often need replacing in their entirety so it may be more than just a few quid. That said I (and I suspect a lot of others) would just put that sort of damage down to experience and forget it as being without the car while its fixed is more hassle than its worth.

nickmack

willj1 wrote: »

any advice will be most appreciated, thankyou.

Please note any advice given will not be 'legal advice' as per your title.

If there's any hint they will be claiming for any kind of injury, you should let your insurers handle it.

foxyuk

willj1 wrote: »

My friend has recenly rolled his car into another at a pedestrian crossing, the only damage done was on the other partys car. The damage was the plastic cover in the pumper that keeps in the toe bar hook covered. The plastic cover came apart but was still on its inges (no other dents or scuffs to the bumper). My friend gave his details out to the other person: name, address, insurance company and telephone number and the other person gave my friend theres. As they was very little damage, my friend suggested that she take it to get fixed and my friend will pay. Where does my friend stand legaly if the other person comes back with a ridiculous quote and even tries to claim whiplash etc.... when abviously the car was hardly hit? My friend has a lot of years no claims bonuses so dosnt really want it to go through there, he is also fully comp. any advice will be most appreciated, thankyou.

I would advise your insurance company for information purposes only... that way it will not affect the bonus. however if a whiplash claim is placed then just contact your insurers and ask them to deal with....

You will be lucky if the other party does not claim whiplash as within 3 days your insurance company will be offering them £600 min to avoid further costs.

90% people whom are hit on rear claim whiplash......

willj1

the other car must of been bumped at around 1-2 mph, which would never ever cause whiplash especially as theres hardly any damage, if it does come to this is there any way of getting out of it, if they are going to lie about what happend, could my mate just deny it completely?

nanana_2

foxyuk wrote: »

I would advise your insurance company for information purposes only... that way it will not affect the bonus.

Well it may not be quite as straightforward as that. I was *hit whilst parked* i.e. I was not even in or anywhere near the car. It was parked legally and fortunately the offender was honest and hung around until I got back. He admitted full responsibility and rang his insurance company there and then and admitted it to them also. When I got home his company rang and said they'd pay for all damage and give me a courtesy car - which they did - great. I played it safe and informed my company for *information purposes only*. Bang - on my record now is that I made a claim. No amount of arguing reasoning etc. will get them to change this. I was once advised (I think on this site) to take 'em to court - yeah right, then they refuse to insure you again. Then you have to state you've been refused insurance - try getting a quote for under a small country's national debt then...

Willj1's circumstance is slightly different I know but as far as the comment about the bonus is concerned, if you inform your insurers (which you are usually required to do under their TandCs then you may have a claim registered and that is one down the road to the usual two/three where you can lose your NCB depending on your policy. Remember with a lot of insurers even a protected no claims has conditions, often, more than two claims and it's gone - protected or not. Read your TandCs. I think you'll find they've got you tied and trussed like an oven ready turkey. Unfair - you betcha - that's insurance.

Footnote: I'm with > who guarantee my NCD for life - does that mean if I make more claims my premium and my excess won't go up? Yeah right, and the moon's made of blue cheese. he he he - don't you just love insurance companies - bless 'em.