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

derobe

I spoke with the other driver again who had given me until this morning and we are going through insurance. He has sent me all the evidence etc.

Seems it was completely my mistake on the MOT, they had booked me for 19th September not October... I've also now had my engine light come on so it would have failed tomorrow anyway! When it rains it pours.

Thanks for the helpful comments and it is slightly reassuring on the no MOT situation, I spent hours last night looking and it seemed to be as mentioned they should still have to cover the other parties claims but my own damage could be invalidated, I'm hoping they cover mine as well.

On letting my insurers know, not sure if I should be playing this smart and maybe get the engine light fixed first and an mot before informing them 🤔

derobe

Also the other drivers insurance called me this afternoon and have text me asking to call them back (I was busy at the time) should I dodge them until I've spoken to my own insurance?

DullGreyGuy

derobe said:

Also the other drivers insurance called me this afternoon and have text me asking to call them back (I was busy at the time) should I dodge them until I've spoken to my own insurance?

Given its a fault accident I'd speak to your insurers first, they'll give you a claim reference number and you can then speak to their insurance in good faith of knowing your insurers know about it/ give them the claim reference etc. 

Were it a non-fault accident Id say speak to their insurers first as they may have a better offer

derobe

DullGreyGuy said:

derobe said:

Also the other drivers insurance called me this afternoon and have text me asking to call them back (I was busy at the time) should I dodge them until I've spoken to my own insurance?

Given its a fault accident I'd speak to your insurers first, they'll give you a claim reference number and you can then speak to their insurance in good faith of knowing your insurers know about it/ give them the claim reference etc. 

Were it a non-fault accident Id say speak to their insurers first as they may have a better offer

thanks, should i get the engine light fixed and perhaps mot done first before contacting my insurers though? Just thinking if they decide not to invalidate with me having no MOT as I mentioned - but then they find out I had an engine light on they could deem the car wasn't roadworthy and invalidate my insurance?

Car_54

derobe said:

DullGreyGuy said:

derobe said:

Also the other drivers insurance called me this afternoon and have text me asking to call them back (I was busy at the time) should I dodge them until I've spoken to my own insurance?

Given its a fault accident I'd speak to your insurers first, they'll give you a claim reference number and you can then speak to their insurance in good faith of knowing your insurers know about it/ give them the claim reference etc. 

Were it a non-fault accident Id say speak to their insurers first as they may have a better offer

thanks, should i get the engine light fixed and perhaps mot done first before contacting my insurers though? Just thinking if they decide not to invalidate with me having no MOT as I mentioned - but then they find out I had an engine light on they could deem the car wasn't roadworthy and invalidate my insurance?

How would they know about the light?

Anyway, you need to get it fixed and the MOT ASAP. Also tell the insurer ASAP.

Stop over-thinking it!

Tucosalamanca

Now the engine light has come on?

Are you still driving the car around with no MOT or just warming the engine on the driveway?

Accidentally driving without MOT is one thing, driving around with no MOT after a crash is another...

You need to stop driving the car, book it for repair, MOT and report it to the insurance.

Imagine if you were involved in another incident, perhaps more serious than the last one, with no MOT on the car.

Think what could happen and think of the consequences...

Car_54

Tucosalamanca said:

Now the engine light has come on?

Are you still driving the car around with no MOT or just warming the engine on the driveway?

Accidentally driving without MOT is one thing, driving around with no MOT after a crash is another...

How so? It either has an MOT or it hasn't. £100 penalty, no points.

Tucosalamanca

Car_54 said:

Tucosalamanca said:

Now the engine light has come on?

Are you still driving the car around with no MOT or just warming the engine on the driveway?

Accidentally driving without MOT is one thing, driving around with no MOT after a crash is another...

How so? It either has an MOT or it hasn't. £100 penalty, no points.

Until the point they realised that the car's MOT had expired, it's an oversight or mistake (reflected by the modest fine and no points).

To continue driving after that is a deliberate choice.

If they get caught, as you've pointed out, it's just £100 penalty.

However, what if they were involved in another more serious incident that ended up in court proceedings?

The court would be presented with someone who had shown complete disregard for the law, that's the difference.

Car_54

Tucosalamanca said:

Car_54 said:

Tucosalamanca said:

Now the engine light has come on?

Are you still driving the car around with no MOT or just warming the engine on the driveway?

Accidentally driving without MOT is one thing, driving around with no MOT after a crash is another...

How so? It either has an MOT or it hasn't. £100 penalty, no points.

Until the point they realised that the car's MOT had expired, it's an oversight or mistake (reflected by the modest fine and no points).

To continue driving after that is a deliberate choice.

If they get caught, as you've pointed out, it's just £100 penalty.

However, what if they were involved in another more serious incident that ended up in court proceedings?

The court would be presented with someone who had shown complete disregard for the law, that's the difference.

Which serious motoring offence do you have in mind, where intent is relevant? 

in any event, "complete disregard for the law" is a bit of an overstatement in relation to a relatively trivial administrative offence.

born_again

derobe said:

Also the other drivers insurance called me this afternoon and have text me asking to call them back (I was busy at the time) should I dodge them until I've spoken to my own insurance?

Contact yours before they do, or yours will wonder why you have not contacted them over the incident & maybe dig deeper...