Just had a bump - advice please.

Mati

Hi I was entering a village this morning doing about 20 mph in 3rd gear as I had just turned a corner onto the high street when a car come into my view on the right side and banged into my car. The side of mine has a small dent and scrapping. The person was an old man who had come out of a side street and pulled out just as I was passing. He was clearly unfit for driving and could not even give me his phone number which was right beside him nor remember his insurers. I have his name address and phone number and details of a witness who was standing by. The old man was even asking me whose fault it was! 

Anyway, will I be okay with my no claims bonus?

TELLIT01

On the basis of what you say your no claims bonus should not be affected.  Contact your insurers with the information you have, including the registration number of the other vehicle.  They will be able to find out who he is insured with.

Sandtree

Mati said:

Anyway, will I be okay with my no claims bonus?

Any claim is ultimately a gamble, if he's honest/can remember the circumstances as you say then its likely to be resolved as a non-fault claim and the witness should help overcome challenges if he changes his mind. However as per a recent thread on the Motor board, he may not have insurance (in the OP's case on that thread the fault driver was their father who it seems forgot to renew the policy before hitting a neighbour's car) in which case if he cannot afford to personally pay then it may impact your policy (though some insurers have an "uninsured driver promise" or similar)

Mati

Have had a quote for £500 + vat if I get a second hand door otherwise about 1K so will have to claim. Have sent a message asking driver for his insurance ref though he said the company - Lloyds, I don't know how compos mentis he is when he could not quote his mobile number with his phone in his hand.

[Deleted User]

Best to claim direct from his insurance, rather than going through yours. You have to notify yours of a non-fault accident.

Mati

Okay. He has given me his insurance ref no. I asked if he would like to pay for my repair and he denied being at fault. He said I appeared from nowhere lol I spoke to mine yesterday to ask if I would lose my no claim and they said ring Claims today to ask. So I get in touch with his? 

Mati

BTW £500 seems a bit steep to fit a door and do a small repair to sill?

Mati

I reported it to my insurance company and they said my no claims is protected with no fault, but my next policy could be affected. So please anyone, should I go straight to the third party insurers and are there any cons doing that? Thanks in advance.

Ditzy_Mitzy

Mati said:

BTW £500 seems a bit steep to fit a door and do a small repair to sill?

The door itself will cost £100+ second hand, depending on the value of spares for your car.  Fitting it will require some fettling; it may be necessary to do things like swap the door card from the old to new one and, maybe, the exterior handle, trim, window mechanism and glass.  To do it properly will require an hour or two's labour, plus parts to cover the inevitable broken plastic clips and sundries.  The sill will need straightening and some paint correction, again there will be parts and labour.  I'd be happy enough with that quote, assuming it was a proper job.  

Sandtree

Mati said:

I reported it to my insurance company and they said my no claims is protected with no fault, but my next policy could be affected. So please anyone, should I go straight to the third party insurers and are there any cons doing that? Thanks in advance.

Main downside is that if anything goes wrong with the repairs etc then you have no right to go to the Financial Ombudsman for assistance.

Its a long standing debate on if your own insurers or the third party insurers are likely to give you better service. I personally am in the "they'll be no worse" camp (accepting all insurers drop the ball occasionally) and dont believe they'll intentionally give you a bad time because of the lack of FOS rights.

The impact to your premiums will be the same if you claim off your insurance or theirs, you just eliminate the risk of it being a fault claim if you claim off their insurance. If you claim off yours, they will counterclaim off of the third party insurers and so will end up being in a net zero position (which is the basic definition of a non-fault accident)

Brie

Not sure how many people know their own mobile number.  My OH doesn't as he never needs to tell anyone whereas I'm forever giving out my mobile number and so can rhyme it off without any problem.  

My experience of accidents is that there can be hidden issues that a proper quote will account for.  Also while there may be just a scratch needing a dot of paint they will quote for the whole panel/door which is obviously much more expensive.