Do I make a claim with my insurer or other party?

user1168934

Someone hit my car from the side. They have admitted fault and given me their insurance details.
Do I make the insurance claim via my insurance company or theirs? Which option is better/safer?

Also am I legally required to give them my details if it is not my fault? 

DullGreyGuy

Safer? Claiming from your insurance because you then you can go to the Financial Ombudsman if anything goes wrong. Similarly refuse any offer to be sent to Credit Hire and just take the courtesy car from the garage themselves.

You are legally claiming from them and so they are entitled to know who you are but confused why you'd be trying to hide it? Assuming its your car they most likely could obtain the details from the DVLA anyway. 

user1168934

DullGreyGuy said:

Safer? Claiming from your insurance because you then you can go to the Financial Ombudsman if anything goes wrong. Similarly refuse any offer to be sent to Credit Hire and just take the courtesy car from the garage themselves.

You are legally claiming from them and so they are entitled to know who you are but confused why you'd be trying to hide it? Assuming its your car they most likely could obtain the details from the DVLA anyway. 

If I claim through my insurance, is it going to affect my no claims and make me pay the excess?

FYI - not trying to hide my details or anything. I have proper insurance and everything. The other party did not take my insurance details on the spot and asking for them now over the phone.

mr_stripey

It is probably part of your insurance conditions that you inform them of an accident, regardless of whose fault it was

user1168934

I read on another thread (link below) that I should claim directly with the insurer of the other party via a "claim handler" (I don't know what is a claim handler).

Can someone guide me please. I have no idea where to start. Never been in a situation like that before.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6028990/non-fault-car-accident

mr_stripey

user1168934 said:

I read on another thread (link below) that I should claim directly with the insurer of the other party via a "claim handler" (I don't know what is a claim handler).

Can someone guide me please. I have no idea where to start. Never been in a situation like that before.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6028990/non-fault-car-accident

I think the best thing to do is call your insurance company and tell them. Give them the details of the other party, their insurance company and the details of the incident and let them handle it. 

Car_54

user1168934 said:

Also am I legally required to give them my details if it is not my fault? 

You are required by law to give your reg. number, your name and address, and those of the vehicle owner if different. If anyone is injured, you also need to produce your insurance certificate.

If you don't or can't do any of the above, you must report to the police within seven days.

AIUI you must also give your insurance details if the other party later notifies you of a claim, but that won't apply in your case. 

Tiexen

user1168934 said:

Someone hit my car from the side. They have admitted fault and given me their insurance details.
Do I make the insurance claim via my insurance company or theirs? Which option is better/safer?

Also am I legally required to give them my details if it is not my fault? 

Who are going to look after your interests better your insurance company or the other drivers,

I had a car clip my rear wheel arch while parked  - my insurance company had the car repaired and I paid no excess and my no claims was not affected.

It will need to be reported for the next 5 years when you renew

DullGreyGuy

user1168934 said:

DullGreyGuy said:

Safer? Claiming from your insurance because you then you can go to the Financial Ombudsman if anything goes wrong. Similarly refuse any offer to be sent to Credit Hire and just take the courtesy car from the garage themselves.

You are legally claiming from them and so they are entitled to know who you are but confused why you'd be trying to hide it? Assuming its your car they most likely could obtain the details from the DVLA anyway. 

If I claim through my insurance, is it going to affect my no claims and make me pay the excess?

FYI - not trying to hide my details or anything. I have proper insurance and everything. The other party did not take my insurance details on the spot and asking for them now over the phone.

Impact on your no claims depends on if it settled fault or non-fault. With most insures a non-fault has no impact on your NCD once the claim is resolved but may impact it until it is resolved (only applicable if you renew mid claim).

Your excess will be contractually applicable whenever you claim for your own damage. Some insurers will waive the excess when they are confident of being able to recover it. Even if its not waived it will be recoverable from the third party insurers and if you have Legal Expenses insurance your insurers will appoint someone to do this for you.

mgfvvc

Tiexen said:

Who are going to look after your interests better your insurance company or the other drivers,

30 years ago, I would have said "your insurance company". These days many will sell your details to a claims management company. The third party insurer, on the other had, is incentivised to look after you, so they have control of the costs.
Against that, if there are issues, the ombudsman won't help you with a third party insurer.

user1168934

Edit: posted reply here by mistake - moved to the correct thread.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/80178219/#Comment_80178219