DVLA lost my V5C form but now I need to make an insurance claim

redbabe

Hi
I bought a car in Dec 2019. I bought off an executor acting for someone who had died in a private sale. I sent the V5C form off in Dec - I have the torn other half and photos of the section I sent (not proof I know but at least I know I definitely sent it).  The car also needed MOT, tax and Insurance as it had been sat in a private garage.  
On Sunday a driver went into the parked car behind my parked car and it shunted into my boot.  Police etc were called as the car being driven ended up on its roof in the middle of the street.  Whilst all was being processed the police made me aware that I was not down as the registered keeper but named the previous owner.  I phoned the  DVLA the next day questioning it and so far as they are concerned it had no keeper as someone had informed them it had been sold (I assume the executor).  They claim never to have received my V5C form.
I have never been in this position (claiming on insurance or dealing with a lost form with the DVLA) and would like some advice.
1 Does it matter that I am not down as the registered keeper?  Will it affect my claim?
2 My car may be written off - what are the consequences of there being no registered keeper?? 
I am aware the DVLA are very under staffed and the time for processing forms is taking longer than normal. 
Should I complete the V62 form to replace it?  Will I have time to even make this change?

Thanks in advance

forgotmyname

You do not send off the V5C the prevous keeper/executor does. You only get the new keeper slip which you do not send off.

Did you agree to the terms that you are the owner and registered keeper when taking out the insurance?  How did you tax it?

fred369

So you haven't bothered to tax it since December?

AdrianC

fred369 said:

So you haven't bothered to tax it since December?

The OP would have taxed it with the V5C/2...

One question, OP... Why didn't you chase DVLA in about, oooh, January?

redbabe

Sorry for delay in replying.   
The executor gave it to me to send off.  - When I phoned the DVLA they said they had been informed that it had been sold but not who too.
As the car had been off the road I needed the MOT, Tax, Insurance and V5C all sorting during December.  The first 3 were sorted and I thought the V5C had been too.
Yes I realise that I should have chased it but I had some serious stuff going on and it completely slipped my mind. 

AdrianC

redbabe said:

When I phoned the DVLA they said they had been informed that it had been sold but not who too.

That will have been the taxing as new keeper, using the V5C/2. You've still got the V5C/2? That should be enough for the insurer.

redbabe

Morning Adrian
Yes I have the V5C/2 section of the form.
As it is a clear case of the other driver being at fault I am not expecting a problem with that side but a mechanic at an independent garage has had a quick look at my car and reckons that due to its age it will be written off.  I am concerned that as the DVLA do not have me down as the registered keeper there will be problems.  It's all made worse because I live in Stockport but the accident happened in London. I am still in London trying to sort it and although the police at the scene said my car was driveable the mechanic I saw said I shouldn't go on motorway or drive it a distance.
I have visions of it being carted off to a garage here in London, them deciding it will be scrapped and there then being an issue with the DVLA and the car being stored until its sorted and me being landed with the bill for storage.

AdrianC

redbabe said:

Yes I have the V5C/2 section of the form.

So if not for the collision, you would just send that to DVLA with a V62, and get a V5C in your name.

As it is a clear case of the other driver being at fault I am not expecting a problem with that side but a mechanic at an independent garage has had a quick look at my car and reckons that due to its age it will be written off.  I am concerned that as the DVLA do not have me down as the registered keeper there will be problems.

I really can't see why. You are the owner, you have an insurable interest in it.

It's all made worse because I live in Stockport but the accident happened in London. I am still in London trying to sort it and although the police at the scene said my car was driveable the mechanic I saw said I shouldn't go on motorway or drive it a distance.

Let's see some pics of the damage. It's either driveable or it isn't...

The one possible fly in the ointment is if you really live in London, but told the insurer that you lived in Stockport for lower premiums... Stay too long down there, simply over this, and you may well find that they start questioning which is the true address for keeping the car.

I have visions of it being carted off to a garage here in London, them deciding it will be scrapped and there then being an issue with the DVLA and the car being stored until its sorted and me being landed with the bill for storage.

Insurance would cover those costs. Insurance and/or your breakdown cover should have covered you and it getting back home after the collision...

redbabe

The flat I'm staying in is my brother's although I do own a small percentage.  I did live here for about 9 months 4 years ago but it is only my brother who lives here now.  I live with my folks in Stockport.  Luckily I am furloughed at the moment so no immediate rush to get back.
The boot is dented quite
badly and although the police officer(s) at the scene couldn't open the boot the mechanic did and now it closes but does not lock.  My dad says tie a rope round the boot and drive back to Stockport on non motorway roads - he really doesn't want it scrapped because although 20 years old its in very good nick with only 20,000 miles on the clock he also has a friend who has a garage.

mattyprice4004

That's a shame - 20 year old cars with that kind of mileage are rare. I hope it's saved, and the V5 shouldn't cause you an issue. 

redbabe

Also Adrian I thought breakdown companies do not cover accidents??