Car ran into the back of me

Ash_Pole

A guy in a BMW (not that that's relevant!) ran into the back of me while I was stationary in a line of cars. His fault, no question about that.

Damage quite minor, scratches to rear bumper, bit of scuffing, probably needs more than just t-cutting. Reg plate is cracked too.

I took photos and we swapped contact numbers. He says he'd rather keep it off insurance. I said my car is due a service this week and I'd get the guy there to sort it. He said to call him with the quote before getting any work done.

So is that the best thing to do, or should I have reported this to my insurance company straight away?

Must confess I've been driving for years but I don't really know what happens in these sort of situations, guess I must have been lucky up to now.

DUTR

You still notify the insurance company, it doesn't affect your no claims, labour charges have increased somewhat, so I can hardly think of a repair that is not better to let the 3rd party insurance company deal with it compared to the cost of excess. (and even then I don't think the 3rd party pays excess unless they are having their own car repaired.)

Geodark

Before you do anything I would get it checked out to ensure that the damage really is that minor - damage can be done that can't be seen unless you get under the car etc.

GoldenShadow

Someone went into the back of my car. Looked like only scratches but the metal bar under the bumper was dislodged. Cost £900 to fix it in the end, despite thinking it was only a few scratches.

Ash_Pole

DUTR wrote: »

You still notify the insurance company, it doesn't affect your no claims, labour charges have increased somewhat, so I can hardly think of a repair that is not better to let the 3rd party insurance company deal with it compared to the cost of excess. (and even then I don't think the 3rd party pays excess unless they are having their own car repaired.)

You mean notify my insurance company (I didn't get his company's details, just the guys reg and phone number)? Just a bit nervous, been motoring 20 years now never made a claim. Could this affect future premiums? It really was only a tap I can't imagine there's any damage other than the cracked reg plate and superficial damage to the rear bumper.

DUTR

Ash_Pole wrote: »

You mean notify my insurance company (I didn't get his company's details, just the guys reg and phone number)? Just a bit nervous, been motoring 20 years now never made a claim. Could this affect future premiums? It really was only a tap I can't imagine there's any damage other than the cracked reg plate and superficial damage to the rear bumper.

My bumper looked like it had only minor scratches but it turned out that the bumper was chreased and there were paint cracks, plus the number plate housing was broken.
I informed the insurance for notification purposes, the guy said he would pay himself until he saw the invoice and his insurance dealt with the claim, my next renewal was actually cheaper.

Crabman

If needed, you can obtain the other driver's insurance details using this service (access the site via your smartphone):

http://stayinsured.askmid.com/roadside.html

Aretnap

Ash_Pole wrote: »

You mean notify my insurance company (I didn't get his company's details, just the guys reg and phone number)? Just a bit nervous, been motoring 20 years now never made a claim. Could this affect future premiums? It really was only a tap I can't imagine there's any damage other than the cracked reg plate and superficial damage to the rear bumper.

Your insurer will almost certainly require you to inform them of all accidents, even minor ones, whether or not you intend to make a claim, and future insurers will also ask if you've had any accidents in the last 3-5 years, regardless of whether a claim was made. Telling them about the accident might indeed have an impact on your future premiums which is why many people prefer to settle minor accidents with a handful of cash and not tell their insurers. Most of the time they get away with it, but they are breaking the terms of their policies, and if their insurers were to find out the consequences could be more severe than a few quid on next year's premium.

scotsbob

Crabman wrote: »

If needed, you can obtain the other driver's insurance details using this service (access the site via your smartphone):

http://stayinsured.askmid.com/roadside.html

Which is run by the motor insurance industry.


Checking insurance details with them is a sure fire way of letting insurance companies know you have quite possibly been involved in an accident.


I rather got the impression that the OP was of a mind to settle without involving his insurance company.

Ash_Pole

scotsbob wrote: »

Checking insurance details with them is a sure fire way of letting insurance companies know you have quite possibly been involved in an accident.

I rather got the impression that the OP was of a mind to settle without involving his insurance company.

This is really my question I suppose. The other driver said he'd rather not involve his insurance but I'm not sure if I should involve mine. Maybe I should just my garage to assess the damage when it's serviced on Wednesday.

chrisw

You hold the upper hand here as you are free to go through insurance whatever he says, although it might affect your premium even as a no fault.

I would get the quote done and if it's around £100 or so, agree to avoid the insurance. However, if it gets to significant money, I wouldn't mess about, just stick it through the insurance.

Although you would have to declare it, you might be able to offset any increase in premium by switching companies at renewal.