Help with car accident

tinkerbelle

Please feel free to move this post if it is in the wrong place. I am in need of some advice. I was driving to the zoo on Monday when a man reversed into me. He did damage to my bumper and to my bonnet so that the bonnet will not shut properly.

My insurance is due for renewal in October at which point i will have 5 years no claims. I have never had an accident before and when I phoned my insurance company they have said that I have to claim on my insurance first and then claim on his! I do have an independent witness who saw the accident.

The bit i am now worrying about is that the car is not worth more than £400 and my excess is £100 but ive been told that if I no longer see the claim through that I will still have to declare it on a new insurance quote.

Does anyone know what to do, i feel like i should have done nothing and to top it all my car has its MOT next Friday!!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. :A

MILLWALLFC

Was there any damage done to the other persons car, as if not he may just pay you the £400 for your car. It be cheaper probably for him as he will have to pay his insurance excess and no doubt his will go up next year if not protected.

Maybe phone him and see if he makes you an offer. My excess is £250 i think so nearly the value of your car.

tinkerbelle

There was no damage to his car but the problem being that he did not speak any english! and i think that i would find it very hard to communicate to him. It was very hard getting a telephone number and address off him.

Skint_Catt

I've never heard that you have to claim off your own first! You fill in an accident form, but then they take it up with the other drivers insurers. Yes, you will have to declare any accidents for the next few years but you are given the option to declare it as a 'non-fault' accident, therefore it shouldn't affect your premium.

knowledgeman

Skint_Catt wrote: »

I've never heard that you have to claim off your own first! You fill in an accident form, but then they take it up with the other drivers insurers. Yes, you will have to declare any accidents for the next few years but you are given the option to declare it as a 'non-fault' accident, therefore it shouldn't affect your premium.

You will make the claim to insurance company
They will then deal with it
There is a possibility you could end up in limbo for a while though and thats why your told it may affect your claims for a while

tinkerbelle

Thank you for helpful advice. It just seems as the accident could not have come at a worse time as my mot,tax and insurance are all up for renewal next week!

Conor_3

Skint_Catt wrote: »

I've never heard that you have to claim off your own first!

That's how it works on Fully Comp. The car is repaired on your own policy and then they pursue the Third Party for the money.

Skint_Catt

Ok maybe, but you're not usually penalised for it. It's just an interim thing.

NAR

Skint_Catt wrote: »

Ok maybe, but you're not usually penalised for it. It's just an interim thing.

That's what happened to me once my insurance company got all the money back.

SPANIEL36

It Will Go Down In Your Insurance History As A 'non-faiult" And As Its Up For A Re-newal It Will Show As A 'pending' Only When Its Sorted Out Will Your No Claims Bonus Be Updated Officially

tinkerbelle

I just wanted to say thank you to all of you for your advice.