Dealing with a minor accident

JackeeBoy

The car drama continues...

In the grocery car park and have my car line up to reverse into a space. Lady-driver who I am directly behind turns on her car and starts reversing. I slam on the horn but despite this and the fact I am visible in hear rear and wing mirrors, she continues to reverse and crashes into my car. Both fog lights are broken and bumper is bent out of shape. A witness approached me and gave me her details.

Now, I have never made a claim in the 7 years I have been driving and I am sure whatever excess I have, in addition to the repair, is going to be more trouble than it's worth.

I want to approach the driver about not going through insurance and sending her a quote from the dealer body-shop. Any thoughts or tips about taking this approach?

Car_54

JackeeBoy wrote: »

I want to approach the driver about not going through insurance and sending her a quote from the dealer body-shop. Any thoughts or tips about taking this approach?

Yes. Don’t. Go through your insurer.

SHAFT

If she accepts liability there will be no excess for you to pay.

Aretnap

If you claim and you have a witness who will say that the other driver hit you while you were stationary then your excess is largely irrelevant - you will be able to claim it back from the other drivers insurer. Your NCD will also not be affected assuming your insurer makes a full recovery from the other side. You would have to declare the accident as a no fault claim for a few years and this may have an effect on your insurance premium, but it is unlikely to be a big difference of you're an experienced driver with a good driving record. (Last time I played with a price comparison site I found that a recent no fault accident would increase my premium by less than the price of a pint of beer in many of my local pubs) So personally I would tend towards the insurance route rather than dealing with a stranger who may or may not be reliable, may or may not pay on time, may or may not argue about the quote etc etc

JackeeBoy

I am assuming I have 24 hours to let my insurer know. One question I have, if I do ask the person who crashed into me to settle it outside of the insurance, does that in any way invalidate my insurance? Am I legally allowed to go down this route?

Aylesbury_Duck

I don't think there's a time limit, unless your policy conditions state one.

You are allowed to settle outside of insurance but you're obliged by your contract with them to inform them.

facade

JackeeBoy wrote: »

I am assuming I have 24 hours to let my insurer know. One question I have, if I do ask the person who crashed into me to settle it outside of the insurance, does that in any way invalidate my insurance? Am I legally allowed to go down this route?

If your insurer finds out, then it can do, as you have ignored the clear instructions in the T&Cs to inform them of any accidents/claims & losses and they can cancel your insurance, (unless you beat them to it)





You are required to inform them of the accident, if the other party is paying you direct, then you don't make a claim.


Your premium will of course rise, to reflect your insurers re-appraisal of your risk.

Arklight

JackeeBoy wrote: »

I am assuming I have 24 hours to let my insurer know. One question I have, if I do ask the person who crashed into me to settle it outside of the insurance, does that in any way invalidate my insurance? Am I legally allowed to go down this route?

If she is at fault it will be her decision whether or not she wants to go through her insurance to pay you for the damage to your car. If you are talking about asking her not to inform her insurer so that yours doesn't find out, then no, you are contractually obliged to inform your insurer you have been in an accident.

Car_54

JackeeBoy wrote: »

I am assuming I have 24 hours to let my insurer know. One question I have, if I do ask the person who crashed into me to settle it outside of the insurance, does that in any way invalidate my insurance? Am I legally allowed to go down this route?

Six years, but the sooner the better. No, it's fraud.

Angus_Og

This type of accident is not one to mess about with. You will look like the guilty party if you aren't careful, time will pass and the other driver could deny reversing.

Don't mess around contact your insurer with all the details including your witnesses details and leave it up to them to sort out.

I had similar a few years ago and I didn't have a witness, the other driver just ignored me. Fortunately the damage was just an indicator light which I repaired myself.

Your damage will be north of £500 and perhaps even more.

JackeeBoy

Angus_Og wrote: »

This type of accident is not one to mess about with. You will look like the guilty party if you aren't careful, time will pass and the other driver could deny reversing.

Don't mess around contact your insurer with all the details including your witnesses details and leave it up to them to sort out.

I had similar a few years ago and I didn't have a witness, the other driver just ignored me. Fortunately the damage was just an indicator light which I repaired myself.

Your damage will be north of £500 and perhaps even more.

£500 for a broken fog light? Geez.

I got in touch with Ford and they have said the next appointment for the body shop where they can give me a quote will be next week. Too long so probably will go through insurance.