Car accident: dealing direct with other party's insurer?

Moneyer

My car's bumper was damaged while parked in a car park. The driver responsible left a note apologising and providing details, and fully admits responsibility, but can't afford to pay himself so it will need a claim on his insurance. Two questions:

(1) I have fully comp insurance, but is there any reason to go through my insurance company rather than just submitting a third party claim direct to his insurer? I realise I'll have to declare the incident at renewal time, but I guess this will go down as a no-claim incident which may have less effect on my premium than a no-fault claim. I don't need a courtesy car and don't want to get sucked into credit hire etc.

(2) Given that the car is 3 months old, I'd prefer the repair done by my trusted main dealer. What are my rights here? Could I arrange the repair myself and claim the cost, or am I forced to let his insurer arrange it?

csgohan4

If your due renewal soon, claim using the other insurer as this won't affect your excess and NCD as your not waiting for the amount for damages to be paid to your insurers.


You could claim on your own insurers but you may have to pay an excess and could affect your premiums pending if your insurers can get all costs covered from the other party.


You could arrange a repair by your own chosen repairer, I tried doing this but the hassle and time to get approved took too long.


Since it is a no fault claim you will be given a courtesy car free if it's on your policy.

Quentin

You always have the right to choose the repairer irrespective of which insurer you claim off.

Your own insurer may put obstacles in the way ( eg no courtesy car unless you use their repairer/additional excess to pay)

But the third party insurer should be much more cooperative!

teddysmum

When my car was rear shunted by a person who admitted liability, their insurer actually contacted us.