Car accident - can't reach driver at fault 3 August 2022 at 8:30PM in Insurance & life assurance 5 replies 153 views

DasBill

Hi,

In June, my wife was driving and was hit from behind by a motorbike. The driver admitted the fault at the scene and said he would pay for the damage to our car. She took images of his bike (including reg) and driving licence and he gave her his phone number.
Acting on good faith, she didn't take insurance details.

Due to having a recent bereavement, I've not managed to get a quote for the damage but now I have, I now cant reach the driver at fault via his mobile. Another driver who's car was also damaged at the scene also can't seem to reach them.

Looking at the reg of the bike, he's not MOT'd since July 1st but critically not taxed since March. I'm starting to have a suspicion that they were uninsured. 

I would go to their home address however their polish license does not show one in the UK.

So I'm a little stuck for ideas, of course I think the next step is my own insurance to pursue this but I'm not sure what I can do if he wasn't insured. Small claims court?

If anyone can offer some guidance, that would be much appreciated. Naturally, it would have been better to get insurance details at the scene but if he wasn't insured, I think I end up in the same position.

TadleyBaggie

DasBill said:

I think the next step is my own insurance to pursue this 

^^^ This ^^^

Are the insurance company even aware of the incident? It should have been reported to them even if you intended to get the vehicle repaired privately.

Aretnap

You can find out if the vehicle was insured at the time of the accident and get the details of its insurer (if any) for a small fee here

https://www.askmid.com/askmidenquiry.aspx

Your own insurer will cover the damage regardless of the motorcyclist's insurance status, though if it turns out that he is uninsured it might mean having to pay your excess or lose some no claims discount, unless your own insurer has an uninsured driver promise.

DasBill

Hi, ah I wasn't aware if I still had to inform them despite it not being her fault, I will get on that in the morning. I can expect the cost of our insurance to go up as a result?

Thank you for the link @Aretnap, that might come in useful for my own peace of mind. I don't think I'll make a claim as the cost is not that much, it's more the principal.

If they turn out not to be insured? Would I take this to small claims? And of course the police since they were untaxed and uninsured?

Lastonestanding

DasBill said:

Hi, ah I wasn't aware if I still had to inform them despite it not being her fault, I will get on that in the morning. I can expect the cost of our insurance to go up as a result?

If they turn out not to be insured? Would I take this to small claims? And of course the police since they were untaxed and uninsured?

It could end up costing you more money, is it worth pursuing?
Not sure if it's weeks or months since the accident, maybe you should have contacted the police some time ago?

macman

Let your insurers deal with it, which is what you should have done at the time.  You're obliged to report any incident to them whether making a claim or not.
It's not your concern if they were untaxed and uninsured.