Car accident claim

harpo14

I was in a car accident this morning, which was my fault. The other car is going to need 2 new doors on the drivers side and my car will need repair to the front passenger side wing.


At this point I don't know what the other party will caim. The car was from a taxi firm - not sure if that makes any difference.


At the time of writing I have more than 9 years no claim bonus and my excess is £600. It would also seem that when I took out the current policy I didn't click the protected no claims bonus - I normally always check I do!!


But my question is, when then other driver gets a quote for the damage caused... Is it better financially in the long run to let this claim go through the insurers and face up to the increased premiums for the next x No. years... or pay the bills for both cars and not involve/reduce the involvement of the insurance companies?


Any advice greatly appreciated!

neilmcl

I think it'll be cheaper going through insurance, also be aware that as it's a taxi the driver may come after your for loss of earnings as well whilst his car is getting repaired.

foxy-stoat

The claim will be more than the loss of 2 years NCD for a couple of years, increase premiums for the fault accident and the £600 excess that you will pay to repair your car - you have to notify them anyway of the claim even if you pay out yourself and the premium may well go up a little.

unholyangel

IMO you're better claiming off insurance. Your insurer will likely have a clause you need to notify them even if you settle it privately and certainly new insurers always ask if you've been involved in any accidents (and to make a false declaration to obtain insurance cheaper would be fraud). You'd also have this hanging over your head for years that the guy may succumb to those "we've been informed you had a car accident that wasn't your fault" calls that end with inflated claims being made against you later down the line.


Sure your premiums will probably hike (do a search now and compare the prices - one for a policy with an at fault claim on it and one for a policy without) but at least it will be done and dusted and you can move on knowing it can't bite you in the !!! anymore than it already has.

debtdebt

How about any subsequent personal injury claim? Why are you just thinking about the vehicle damage?

harpo14

I'm not just thinking about damage to the car. I'm well aware that he could claim something for injury. Everyone walked away from the accident, but if he claims injury later there probably isn't much I can do about that (?)

Svein_Forkbeard

harpo14 wrote: »

The other car is going to need 2 new doors on the drivers side

How's the B pillar?

Do not be surprised if it is written off.