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

Car_54

Maahes said:

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.

OK, but he could still have pursued you as the at-fault party. Any criminal action against him for no insurance isn't really relevant.

DullGreyGuy

Maahes said:

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.

The criminal matter of driving without insurance is irrelevant to the civil matter of the torte of negligence. Just because someone isn't insured doesn't mean you can go around smashing their stuff up. You're liable for the damage. 

You could report him for driving without insurance but you reversed without looking to see if it was clear to do so or not which at a minimum is driving without due care and attention

Ehi

Hello everyone
Sorry this is late. I am overly exhausted and having tremors and heart palpitations 

I have read all advice given and went to lexus and the accident management company who recommended enterprise 

Lexus bumper replacement is £1173, while the AMC is £1,700

Since it's a pcp car from lexus. It's no brainer. I will get my insurance to do it

The guy who smashed my car, says its OK. But still trying to convince me to go private. Which I reiterated I can't. Since I have to return the car next year

Many thanks 

Ehi

I don't renew my insurance. I am on a premium platinum club, that's been fixed for about 5 years.

Scene was the slip road coming off the motorway into Ilford. I was at the bottom of the slope. Waiting, while he ran into Me. And I have video evidence and he has accepted blame

Ehi

I am a bit confused, I called my insurance company and they directed me  to a company with their name and CLAIMS at the end. I asked them to deal with it and when he was reading me the terms, he said they are a MANAGEMENT CLAIMS company and started faffing on about, if the other party calls, I should decline any offers and if they want to take me to court blah blah

so i asked what is going on, and he then started faffling on about my insurance company and paying the excess and with them, i pay nothing. I asked if they are insurance and he said they are a group of companies and would save me £400 on my excess.

I called my cousin who had a similar problem and he said no, dont go with them, there are consequences, call your insurance company and they have a chat facility which points me back to them ???

I am confused ??? as I havent signed anything yet

DullGreyGuy

Ehi said:

I am a bit confused, I called my insurance company and they directed me  to a company with their name and CLAIMS at the end. I asked them to deal with it and when he was reading me the terms, he said they are a MANAGEMENT CLAIMS company and started faffing on about, if the other party calls, I should decline any offers and if they want to take me to court blah blah

so i asked what is going on, and he then started faffling on about my insurance company and paying the excess and with them, i pay nothing. I asked if they are insurance and he said they are a group of companies and would save me £400 on my excess.

I called my cousin who had a similar problem and he said no, dont go with them, there are consequences, call your insurance company and they have a chat facility which points me back to them ???

I am confused ??? as I havent signed anything yet

So you bought your policy with One Call?

One Call are a broker/intermediary who places their business with a range of insurers/underwriters. When you call your broker they passed you on to their sister company who are a claims management company who, given its non-fault, will encourage you to go down the credit hire/repairs route as this generates additional revenue for them -v- dealing with the claim under the terms of your policy which would be handled by the insurer and get them nothing. 

There are some benefits, eg not paying your excess, knowing you'll get a like for like hire car etc but there can be arguments later when the third party insurer gets the bill.

One Call, by the looks of their website, are a traditional broker and whilst they may have put a coversheet onto the policy book it is actually specific to the insurer in question and in it has the telephone number for the insurer's claims line, 

Ehi

DullGreyGuy said:

So you bought your policy with One Call?

One Call are a broker/intermediary who places their business with a range of insurers/underwriters. When you call your broker they passed you on to their sister company who are a claims management company who, given its non-fault, will encourage you to go down the credit hire/repairs route as this generates additional revenue for them -v- dealing with the claim under the terms of your policy which would be handled by the insurer and get them nothing. 

There are some benefits, eg not paying your excess, knowing you'll get a like for like hire car etc but there can be arguments later when the third party insurer gets the bill.

One Call, by the looks of their website, are a traditional broker and whilst they may have put a coversheet onto the policy book it is actually specific to the insurer in question and in it has the telephone number for the insurer's claims line, 

so whats the best and honest way forward ? I am quite exhausted and dont want to do anything that would add additional headache 

Kindly advise please

lisyloo

The downside of of the claims management company is they to drive up the costs with expensive car hire. Some cases end up in court and it would be you that was taken to court. The claims management company will deal with it but you will sign up to cooperate to you might (for example) have to take a day off to attend court only for it to be settled at the last minute outside court. This is not a low stress option.

If you think he isn't insured then let your insurer deal with it. They will tray to claim back their costs from the 3rd party. It's easier if they have insurance but if they don't they are still liable for the damage they've caused.

DullGreyGuy

lisyloo said:

The downside of of the claims management company is they to drive up the costs with expensive car hire. Some cases end up in court and it would be you that was taken to court. The claims management company will deal with it but you will sign up to cooperate to you might (for example) have to take a day off to attend court only for it to be settled at the last minute outside court. This is not a low stress option.

If you think he isn't insured then let your insurer deal with it. They will tray to claim back their costs from the 3rd party. It's easier if they have insurance but if they don't they are still liable for the damage they've caused.

Some cases where you claim off your own insurance also end up in court, a friends got his day in a couple of weeks. Maybe more cases end in court with accident management cases but it's a possibility no matter which route you go. 

If you think they aren't insured then your insurer certainly won't waive the excess and there is a reasonable prospect you'd never see it again. If an accident management cannot get their money back it's their own problem. 

The other thing comes down to courtesy cars, claiming off your own policy will come down to its T&Cs, a traditional policy would have the garage give you a small 3 door courtesy car if they have one available. Can you cope without a courtesy car or a very small one? If not your own insurers are likely to refer you to credit hire anyway so you end up in the same position but down the excess. 

Ehi

All I am concerned about it doing the right thing. The guy claimed responsibilty and offering to go private, which I said not to. As he was worried about his renewal costs. Which does not make any sense to me, as even if he paid off 500 - 1000, that would not match his renewal costs

As long as its the right thing, then I am fine. 

I will go with what one call directed me to, after all, It was there decision and not mine and I am covered in all aspects. Legal, comprehensive etc etc