Young driver doesn't want to go through insurance for an accident?

Charise

My car was hit from behind today whilst I was waiting to pull out of a junction. The driver admitted fault and was very apologetic but he said he'd prefer to pay for the damage and not go through his insurance. He provided me with his name and contact details but he was so apologetic and upset that I felt sorry for him, and I told him that I would do my best to avoid this. I did however advise him that I would need to notify my insurance company, but said that I would advise them not to pursue a claim unless I instructed otherwise. I did intend to do this, however, when I rang them up they said I had to provide the other drivers contact details? When I asked them what they intended to do with this they said the information would be passed through to the other drivers insurance company. I panicked and rang off because I didn't want to get him into trouble. But what will happen if I don't notify them and he changes his mind or can't afford to pay? (the damage looks quite substantial to my eyes, the boot and the bumper are badly dented, not to mention the damage to his car!)
I am also worried because I texted him this evening to tell him I have booked in for a quote tomorrow and he immediately texted back and said he has also 'passed my details on to 'someone' and that they will be in touch??
I just feel really confused about how best to proceed. Should I just contact my insurance and let them handle everything?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated?

Thanks

huckster

Yes just contact your Insurers with all information. Not wise to go by another drivers reaction at the scene of an accident. They will change their minds and for example start saying that you braked with no reason, causing the accident.

People will tell fibs if they think it will save them money.

Charise

Thanks for replying but I don't think he will be able to dispute fault as the damage to my car speaks for itself. I think the reason I did feel sorry for him is that I have a son of a similar age who I know would be equally worried about the effect a claim against his insurance would have on his already very exorbitant insurance... Is there anyway I can inform my insurance what has happened to cover myself, in case things don't work out, and to give him that chance that I promised, without dropping him in it? The guy on the phone seemed insistent that he would need the other drivers name in order to log the incident...

csgohan4

Tell your insurers about the accident, your duty bound to as well. You also don't know if they will do the car repairs properly or pay you, at least with the insurers you will know it will be done and if it's their fault won't harm your NCD also

worried_jim

Look after your own interests first! Call your insurance company and provide them with all the details, zero chance of you being mugged off.

What if he does pay for the repairs but a few months down the line your bumper falls off? This will only effect you and the value of your car, you'll get no further comeback from him.

Do it right, do it properly, do it via the insurance.

Tom99

Your insurer will have logged the accident anyway and your premium will probably increase next year whatever you do now.
The damage, from the sound of it, could well run into £000's just for your car.
I would give your insurance co the full details and inform the other driver, sorry but my insurance co insisted and the damage to my car is substantial.

csgohan4

check his car is insured, maybe that's why he doesn't want to go through insurance

Charise

Thanks again for all the advice... when I rang the insurance I didn't give them any details about my policy or my name so I don't think they will have been able to log the incident yet. A further concern I have is that I strongly suspect if I do go down the insurance route they will declare my car a write off , as it is quite old (2007). I wasn't intending to change my car, it's been a great car , well looked after, and only recently serviced and 4 new tyres and a new clutch. It's also got 12 months MOT.... if we do manage to get things sorted out without involving his insurance it would save me the hassle of me having to find a new car... sorry I guess I am looking after my own interests a little bit here too if I'm honest...

Zorillo

If that's the case the most he's going to offer you is the value of the car anyway, assuming he's genuine.

You have to tell your insurer even if you don't intend to claim.

Enterprise_1701C

You do have to tell your insurer whenever you have an accident, claim or no claim.

The same goes for him, he has to tell the insurers.

There should be no dispute as to fault, it is very rare that someone going into the back of someone else is not at fault.

Even if they declare your car a write off you can retain it if you want in many cases, but do you really want to? It may have been a good car but you do not know what damage has been done to it other than that you can see.

Call your insurers and give them all the information they want.

Just one other thought, are you sure he has given you the right details? He could be terrified of his insurance premiums going up (which they should) or he could simply not be insured, in which case he really should be prosecuted. It could even be that he has done this before and found a good way of getting out of any responsibility.

As others have said, look after yourself first, he may be a young innocent lad or he may just have found a good way of getting around trusting people.

Nasqueron

Look through the history of this forum, plenty of people agree not to go through insurance then they make a post on here complaining the third party has gone quiet or refuses to pay. Claim from his insurance, even if it's a write off you can have it back minus scrap costs and either fix it yourself or keep the money