Hit and run driver-Can police withhold info?

SnowWhiterThanWhite

Please see #post 9 for UPDATE


Hi, hoping for some advice...
Hit on a local rat run. The driver tried to overtake on a bend , ran into side of car but drove off without stopping.
Managed to get no. plate
Went straight to Police station to report accident, although police confirmed car is insured, they would not give any further details.
Gave the limited info to Insurance company and again, they were able to confirm car is insured but wouldn't divulge any further info.
A week on, police haven't visited other driver and the insurance co. haven't yet contacted the other insurers.
I'm concerned that the driver at fault could, by now, have had their car repaired!
If the other driver denies all knowledge, the police only have my word as no other witnesses, what will happen?
I am so angry that this could lose me my NCB plus XS .
I would try and reclaim through small claims court but how can I without the other drivers details?

Any advice gratefully received.

AndyMc.....

Your word against theirs and the police are unlikely to do anything.

Use your phone, go onto the MIB site and get the other drivers insurance. Claim direct from them.

If the fail to accept liability then you!!!8217;re stuffed.

Quentin

Assuming that you have made a claim against your own policy then your insurer will pursue the third party insurer over this.

Your excess is an uninsured loss and you should pursue the third party insurer yourself to be reimbursed this along with any other uninsured losses you have experienced.

If you have legal cover with your policy then you can use that to get your uninsured losses reimbursed

SnowWhiterThanWhite

Thanks, but I don't have the other drivers details? Will my own insurers have to eventually give me the details?

Quentin

Presumably so far no one knows who was driving do they?

Unless you have made a claim with your insurer they have no reason to find out for you

Have you made a claim? (Your OP mentioned your concern over losing NCD and your excess)

(You can find out the third party insurer via askmid)

missile

If you have cause, you can ask DVLA for the registered keeper. https://www.gov.uk/request-information-from-dvla

SnowWhiterThanWhite

Insurance claim made. Just a waiting game now I guess and hope that the 3rd party does admit responsibility.

Head_The_Ball

SnowWhiterThanWhite wrote: »

Insurance claim made. Just a waiting game now I guess and hope that the 3rd party does admit responsibility.

As you have probably already realised, a hit and run driver is unlikely to be honest afterwards.

Be prepared for a long wait. In my experience claims take many months to be resolved.

I hope the result meets the first half of your signature and not the second part.

Good luck.

SnowWhiterThanWhite

Hi all,

Well, finally got the ltr from Police to say they are not going to prosecute due to no evidence. Had they gone out swiftly after being informed, they would have seen the damage to both cars.
My car has now been repaired through my insurance at a cost of 2k.

As people have mentioned above, the 3rd party has denied being involved. As the other driver is local (I now have drivers details on the ltr from Police) I have walked past their house and they have now had their car repaired.

I do not have legal cover:mad: on my insurance

I have contacted the other ins. co. who have sent an engineer out to view their client's car but are refusing to tell me what the outcome was, even though I gave permission for them to view my car prior to having the damage repaired. My ins co. just say they are chasing the other co. but have not, as yet, received any reply.

The police also want me to pay £130 to see a copy of their report!! I am a victim of a crime (hit and run), why should victims have to pay to see this report?

Anyway, I assume that as there were no witnesses, that the other party can just deny being involved and get away with it.

Does anyone have any experience on taking this sort of case through Small Claims Court? Would I just be looking to claim for my XS, or the huge increase in my premium, or, the amount of the damage (to be repaid back to insurance co)?

I think this would be an absolute waste of time but just so angry!!!

Mercdriver

you'd still need to make a judge 51% certain that the other driver was responsible if the other side contest it. Even if you win it can take some time. I've won a case that has been running (non motoring) for 9 years, the other side settled with us. The other side (an insurance company) isn't responding to demands of payment of the damages they agreed or the costs, which are considerably higher than the damages.

foxy-stoat

I can think of an option, but its not legal or advised....

With no witnesses you will not get anywhere I am afraid - put your trust in karma.

You could get yourself a dash cam, too late for this one but maybe it will pay for itself in the future.