In accident and not at fault but problem with my insurance

Jsuk

I was the victim of a hit and run accident in which the driver hit me, his air bag went off, so he hit me again to push my car out the way and then drove off, the police arrested him near by after a member of the public reported him driving with his air bag deployed. My insurance initially said I had nothing to worry about and it was automatically the other driver at fault as it was a hit and run (and clear cut his fault anyway). at the time I was driving someone else's car, I am fully comprehensive on my vehicle and thought I was legal to drive someone else's car third party, however my insurance now say I was NOT covered and it states that in my documents. I have been through my documents and it does NOT state either way but on the "proposal" part it says "use of other vehicle" and "yes" next to it. I am now having to pay for the damage to my friend's car personally and to top it off the police have now sent me a producer for insurance. I have read that uninsured drivers still have rights when they are hit and CAN make a claim against the third party insurance? Also I'm not sure if the police will look at my insurance and be understanding or will just prosecute me automatically. Any advice will be a big help.

AdrianC

Jsuk wrote: »

at the time I was driving someone else's car, I am fully comprehensive on my vehicle and thought I was legal to drive someone else's car third party

Oops.
Driving Other Car (DOC) clauses used to be fairly blanket on comp policies, but in recent years they've been cut right back on, especially where people buy insurance on price alone.

however my insurance now say I was NOT covered and it states that in my documents. I have been through my documents and it does NOT state either way but on the "proposal" part it says "use of other vehicle" and "yes" next to it.

If it doesn't say you DO have DOC, then you don't. That simple.

I am now having to pay for the damage to my friend's car personally and to top it off the police have now sent me a producer for insurance. I have read that uninsured drivers still have rights when they are hit and CAN make a claim against the third party insurance?

Your friend, as the owner of the car, can claim directly off the other driver's insurance.

Also I'm not sure if the police will look at my insurance and be understanding or will just prosecute me automatically.

Sorry, but it's black-and-white. You were uninsured. You will be facing prosecution.

Jsuk

Thanks, what about personal injury claims?

Jsuk

Also, I'm guessing on the proposal where it says "use of other vehicle" - "yes" means nothing then??

AndyMc.....

What does it say on your certificate about other vehicles? That's all the police want to see.

Jsuk

It says "use of other vehicles" "yes" on the "proposal"

stripeyfox

A lot of people have been caught out by this. It used to be fairly "standard" on policies but not so much any more. You as the driver are always responsible for ensuring that your are insured to drive a particular vehicle.

It seems like you weren't insured to drive ergo you can be prosecuted for driving without insurance.


quick search found this:
If you are found to be driving without car insurance you could be hit with an IN10 licence endorsement.

This carries six to eight penalty points and stays on your licence for four years from the date of offence.

An IN10 on your record will most likely increase your premium considerably. That’s if the insurer wants your business at all - many will simply refuse to insure you.

It's one of the biggest black marks you can have on your insurance record, so it’s pretty important to make sure it doesn’t happen to you.

Johno100

Jsuk wrote: »

It says "use of other vehicles" "yes" on the "proposal"

And on your certificate of insurance?

Ant555

Was the friends car insured by him/her?

If driving other vehicles turns out to be included then I think its only valid where the other car is fully insured by someone else.

"use of other vehicles" asks if you drive other cars, its one of the measures on how they calculate your premiums. ie A named driver on another policy, company car etc.

Jsuk wrote: »

however my insurance now say I was NOT covered and it states that in my documents

Does your policy state specifically that you are not covered for other cars or does just not mention it at all?

Jsuk

So is it not worth showing the police my fully comp insurance certificate and showing where it states use of other vehicle, or do you think they already think my insurance does not cover me driving the car which was involved in the accident?

stator

Jsuk wrote: »

It says "use of other vehicles" "yes" on the "proposal"

But what does it say on the certificate


Suggest you phone up your insurer.
They would have denied your claim either way because cover for driving other people's vehicles only covers third party damage, it doesn't cover the car you are driving.
So phone up and check if you have third party insurance for driving other people's cars


But really it should say on your insurance certificate.