Hit a taxi in slow moving traffic - minor damage, he wants to claim - best option?

derobe

Unfortunately I got slightly distracted in rush hour traffic today and bumped into the back of a taxi. Driver says he wants to claim on insurance for what is fairly minor damage that I would happily pay for in the garage. Minor damage to my own car too.

Slight crack in my grill and on his toyota estima the metal bar covering the boot has been bent and there is a slight dent in the boot which you can't make out.

He called the police and we exchanged details, I have tried to speak to him at the time saying I'll pay for the damage and the coppers strongly advised me to do this.

However this is where I'm most concerned - the police informed me that my mot has run out by a few days (I hadn't realised this) they let me off but did warn me this needed sorting, I'm already booked in 3 days time at Audi (I assumed they'd book me in BEFORE my mot had run out but obviously not!) - just wondering if he does make a claim if this would invalidate my insurance!

Best option all round looks like I try and get this guy to agree to let me pay for his damage but wanted to post here first as never been in this situation and I may be missing something! 

Images with reg's covered to protect identity.

Baldytyke88

Repairs are not cheap, offer him a sum he cannot refuse, otherwise, it will rightly go vis insurance.

GrumpyDil

As it is likely that the owner is going to want to claim loss of earnings whilst any repairs are made I'd simply leave it to the insurance to deal with.

Previous posting on this forum have made it clear the insurance company can only penalise the lack of MOT in very limited circumstances. 

400ixl

You have to tell your insurer that you have been in an accident whether you claim or not.

Looks like the damage to the 3rd party is likely to be more than your excess and certainly so with your own damage. You may as well just claim and let them deal with it.

No MOT will not invalidate your insurance. If your car was a write off they could pay you less but that doesn't look like it will be the case given the damage.

cw8825

Have you considered the costs of his loss of earnings whilst the car is being repaired. 

It’s what the insurance is there for let them deal with it

Nobbie1967

Just let your insurer deal with the claim. Unless you skidded into the other car because your tyres were bald, the lack of MOT will not affect your insurance cover.

Desmond_Hume

I’m confused why it’s Audi’s fault your MOT was not done on time?

MikeJXE

He could be wanting more than just the damage to the car 

400ixl

Desmond_Hume said:

I’m confused why it’s Audi’s fault your MOT was not done on time?

Probably because the dealer did not do their usual pestering of former customers to get them to book their car in for MOT and servicing.

Owners responsibility at the end of the day though.

derobe

Desmond_Hume said:

I’m confused why it’s Audi’s fault your MOT was not done on time?

I didn't say it was Audi's fault. I said I assumed they'd book me for before it actually ran out. They called me back in August to book it...  My fault for assuming!

Not had any reminders from DVLA either which I'm sure I got with previous cars but maybe it's me who needs to sign up for reminders...........

derobe

I spoke to the owner and he was much calmer than earlier and said he's happy to take it to the garage and let me know the bill rather than go through insurance,. I'm surprised people are saying to let insurance deal with it, depends how much it costs I suppose but for a one off fee compared to being stung for probably close to double the monthly amount I'm paying I'd rather go that route and keep my no claims..

I forgot to mention there were also two passengers in the taxi! Anyone know how it would work if they were to make a claim?!