Someone hit me at a motorway exit - 1st time involved in an accident

Ehi

hi guys,
I am getting conflicting advice and need honest advice.

I drove into London weekend and was getting off the motorway exit via a roundabout. As I drove in and stopped waiting to join the roundabout, someone hit me from behind.

He was friendly and offered

1. To fix it privately. No insurance involved and said he is willing to pay.

2. My friends insist I should get my insurance and police involved

3. I went to a major accident repair centre, who costed it and said, I should use ENTERPRISE only, as they would claim solely on his insurance (and not get mine involved). As my whole bumber must be replaced and back sensors

4. Via google, I saw the advice posted below

It was saturday, and afterwards when I got to my hotel, my hands were shaking, had heart palpitations,chest and pain in my head, exhausted, amongst other intermittent sharp pains in my shoulder. So I went to hospital, who said I was ok, just reeling in shock and need to rest

Its the first time, ever I have been in any such car accident and I am now 50.

Please advise on whats the right and honest approach

thank you
E

Accident Advice Forum

Based on the search results, here are some key takeaways and advice for individuals involved in accidents:

1. Notify your insurance company: Regardless of the severity or fault of the accident, it’s essential to inform your insurance company as soon as possible. This includes providing details of the incident, even if you don’t intend to make a claim.
2. Keep records: Maintain a record of the accident, including:
   • Date, time, and location
   • Description of the incident
   • Names and contact information of involved parties
   • Photos of the damage
   • Police report (if applicable)
3. Exchange information: Obtain the other party’s details, including their insurance information, and vice versa.
4. Don’t assume someone else’s insurance will cover the damage: Even if you believe the other party’s insurance will handle the claim, it’s crucial to notify your own insurance company to avoid potential issues with future policies.
5. Be cautious of third-party claims: If the other party contacts their insurer, your insurer may become involved. To avoid potential complications, inform your insurer promptly.
6. Consider seeking advice: If you’re unsure about the process or have concerns, consult with experienced individuals on online forums or seek guidance from a professional.
7. Report the accident to the relevant authorities: If the accident resulted in significant damage or injury, report it to the police and/or relevant authorities.

Additional Tips

• Be honest and transparent when communicating with your insurance company and the other party’s insurer.
• Keep a record of all correspondence and conversations related to the accident.
• Be prepared to provide detailed information about the incident, including any witnesses or evidence.

Nobbie1967

Contact your own insurer using the phone number from your policy documents. If you google, you often end up with 3rd party accident management companies that you probably want to avoid. Give your own insurer all the information you have and let them sort it out. I’m assuming you have the other vehicle’s reg?

lisyloo

1. Lots of people offer to fix privately until they realise the costs involved which are often bigger than people imagine. your bumper might need to be paint matched.

You must inform your own insurer even if you don't want to claim.

It may work out better to go to the 3rd party insurers "innocent 3rd party claims" department.
They are usually keen to help as they want to control costs (stop you getting expensive car hire).
There would be no claim or excess on your insurance this way although it may limit your choice of repairer.

If enterprise are offering to sort this out for you if it's "credit hire". it may be that they will give you an expensive hire car and it's can get stressful if you're taken to court when the 3rd party don't like it. The garage may well get a kick back for the referral so be careful what you sign up to.

personally I would claim off the 3rd party insurance and not my own and avoid credit hire firms.

Also give yourself a few days to make sure you aren't suffering any after effects like whiplash although that doesn't take too long to appear and thought you would have notice by now.

400ixl

Sounds pretty straight forward as far as blame goes which makes it easier.

As there are no injuries there is no need to involve the police.

Personally I would go through your own insurance and refuse to be passed to an accident management company. You have to notify them regardless of which route you go, so it goes on your record either way.

This way you get the protection you do not get by claiming directly from the 3rd party insurance and that you avoid the delays that come with accident management companies and arguments over valid costs such as credit hire cars. If it is straight forward you don't typically have to pay any excess.

Do you have courtesy car cover for when your has to go in for repair?

lisyloo

Downsides of your own are excess, claim on your record.
Downside of 3rd party insurance are - lack of choice of garage, no protection of insurance ombudsman if needing to complain as it's not your insurance.
Downsides of credit hire are the possibility of going to court over excessive charges (you'll have to sign up to this).

Personally I'd go the 3rd party insurance, but that's my preference not advice. 

Stateofart

I used a well known car rental company as an accident mediator linked to my bodyshop.  Worked really well.  Got a like-for-like fancy car and they sorted everything out on my behalf.  It was pretty cut and dry case though that the 3rd part admitted straight away...would imagine it would be messy if that was the case.

Believe me, by the time you take your car to three bodyshops and go back to the person who causing the accident, you'd wished you used a management company or insurance.

Brie

If you don't tell your insurance company about the accident it can invalidate your policy should there be a further claim.  

Aretnap

Police won't be interested if you exchanged details with the other driver at the scene and there were no injuries (beyond being a bit shaken up and sore).  

Veteransaver

Does the other driver actually have insurance? Often that is the reason for offering to settle outside of insurance, especially if the damage is significant.

DullGreyGuy

Veteransaver said:

Does the other driver actually have insurance? Often that is the reason for offering to settle outside of insurance, especially if the damage is significant.

It's mainly to avoid the cost increases on their insurance because they will "forget" to inform them about it. Third parties often have the Dent Doctor type prices in their head so think it will be a couple of hundred to fix but matters change when the quote is for £2k plus a need to discuss a hire car. 

Ehi said:

hi guys,
I am getting conflicting advice and need honest advice.

I drove into London weekend and was getting off the motorway exit via a roundabout. As I drove in and stopped waiting to join the roundabout, someone hit me from behind.

He was friendly and offered

1. To fix it privately. No insurance involved and said he is willing to pay.

2. My friends insist I should get my insurance and police involved

3. I went to a major accident repair centre, who costed it and said, I should use ENTERPRISE only, as they would claim solely on his insurance (and not get mine involved). As my whole bumber must be replaced and back sensors

4. Via google, I saw the advice posted below

It was saturday, and afterwards when I got to my hotel, my hands were shaking, had heart palpitations,chest and pain in my head, exhausted, amongst other intermittent sharp pains in my shoulder. So I went to hospital, who said I was ok, just reeling in shock and need to rest

Its the first time, ever I have been in any such car accident and I am now 50.

Please advise on whats the right and honest approach

There is no "right" approach, other than your obliged to tell your insurers about it. 

Ultimately you have a choice of three, or a blend of the options:

1. Settle privately
2. Claim off your insurance who'll subsequently reclaim from their insurance
3. Use an accident management company like Enterprise to claim from their insurance
4. Claim directly from their insurance 

There are pros and cons of each option so it just comes down to personal preference. 

Maahes

Veteransaver said:

Does the other driver actually have insurance? Often that is the reason for offering to settle outside of insurance, especially if the damage is significant.

I reversed into another car at a junction - pulled out, saw a car coming and reversed back without looking. Exchanged details and got a call from a female (driver was male) asking to settle everything without involving insurance companies. She knew she was pulling a fast one and admitted the driver wasn't insured. I suggested he pays for the damage then.