Just been involved in an accident, and need some advice please.

Owls-Nick

There is a bit of backstory to this, but the backstory is more important than the actual event, so please bear with me.

Around 3 years ago. my dad's car was involved in an accident. It was parked outside our house on the road, so we were obviously not at fault. At the time, I was a named driver on the car as I was looking after my dad. The driver involved was nowhere to be seen, so I called the insurance company just to let them know what happened. Shortly after, the neighbours came to me with the drivers name and we did speak, and he said if I got the repairs done - he would pay me back and see me right. (It turns out the guys is well-known around the area (I read that in a bad way). So I did, I paid for the repairs and contacted him, but to no reply. I then heard from some sources that the reason he's well-known is because he is a local drug dealer (it was a fancy car that smashed into my dads) - so, I didn't pursue it, and just thought it was one of those things.

Shortly after, my dad passed away. I did inherit the car which was deemed to be a very low value. However, upon insuring it, it seems the accident that I had informed them about has gone on record, and seems to have significantly affected the insurance premium.

This evening, on the way home from work, I pulled up at a junction and a woman crashed into the back of me. She was very apologetic and we exchanged details.

The thing is - I insured the car for only £200 (it's a 2003 ford focus), and I think the repair costs would be close to or even exceed this (None of the lights are broken, but there's significant dents in the back of the car. 

My thoughts are at the moment, if the driver who crashed into me today- her insurance saw the insured value of my car is only £200 - won't they just write it off? Obviously £200 wouldn't be enough to replace it. 

I daren't even call my insurance company at the moment, for obvious reasons (the last time I did, it put my premiums up), so as I see it, I have a few options. Either I just don't do anything about it as the car is still road legal, and it's probably just the boot that doesn't work (havent actually tried this yet though)

I process the claim, and her insurance issues me £200 and the car is written off (if so - can I buy it back? Does that affect future premiums?

I know I only insured the car for £200, but honestly I don't think it's worth much more than this - though it has passed it's MOT for the last 2 years with no hiccup and I try and keep it in as good condition as possible.

I can't afford to get a new car at the moment, and it's important for me to get to work.

Thankyou for any advice you can give.

HillStreetBlues

You need to inform your insurance company.
If you don't then any future policy could be classed as fraud (if you don't declare it ) and they could put a marker so you would then find it very hard to get future insurance.

Owls-Nick

Thank-you - even if I pay to repair the damage myself?

Iceweasel

Most definitely - yes.

sheslookinhot

If the woman contacts her own insurer to get her car fixed, then your insurer will be involved. Don’t take that risk of them finding out about the accident from anyone else but you. 

If she is definitely not contacting her insurance, than you may take the risk of just continuing to drive your car as is.

Owls-Nick

Thankyou. The poor lady gotten the car 30 minutes earlier (not sure if it was a rental or she had just bought it based on that). Her car was pretty much untouched! I said "well, you're the best advert for that car ever!

To be honest, we were both pretty shaken, and I'm glad she was alright. I just wanted to calm her down. 

Obviously, if it's a rental car, the tiniest scratch will be picked up by them, but if is a purchase, I think she'll be more than happy with it. I took a picture of both our cars and hers seems unscathed to the point I cant see a mark on it.

I don't want to defraud anyone. I just don't want to lose my car or pay higher premiums for something that wasn't my fault) (I believe the last incident nearly doubled my premium by adding about £500), but I can't really get much information about this - I forgot - right at the start - the car was insured in my dads name, and he has since passed so it's been next to impossible to get information that will help me

GrumpyDil

I hope you have insured the car in your name in which case his ownership and insurance is unimportant..

As above you really need to notify your insurance company whatever you decide to do. 

Owls-Nick

Yes, the car has been insured in my name since my dad's passing. Thank-you for your help. I hope they don't write it off

Ectophile

These days, £200 is scrap value.  So that makes the car one dent away from being scrapped.  There is no way a professional body shop could fix it for less than that.

Baldytyke88

You have insured the car and stated that its value is £200, but that is with your insurance company, you are making a claim on someone else's insurance.

So can that be ignored?

HampshireH

2003 ford focus are on auto trader for anywhere between 495 and 2000.

Why do you think your working, and in good order focus is worth only 200.