Hit by another car - advice needed

cdjockey

My car was hit by another car after the driver reversed 15ft without looking over his right shoulder.

The crash has dented the front passenger wing and altered all the panel gaps including the bonnet.

The other driver admitted liability at the time and I got his name, address, home and mobile telephone numbers.

He was desperate to sort it out without involving the insurance company. I was ok doing this as I thought it would be less hassle and less likely to affect my premium.

I got a quote from a couple of garages for around £200 for fixing the damage but when I spoke to the guy, he thought it sounded too expensive. He said he would look at getting a company he knows to do the work or just pay me the quote I got.

Now he has stopped returning my calls for the last three days. It happened a week ago.

I don’t know what to do, I don’t want to claim on my insurance for the damage, but I don’t want to end up paying for the work myself either or for him to get away with it.

Can I report it to my insurance company on the proviso that they should chase the other guy’s insurance for the money and if they cannot get it that I will not claim on mine, (I think I have legal protection with my insurance, are these the people who would chase this guy?)

I have photos of the damage, his details, some of his paint on my car, his car registration and description.

What I don’t have are details of his insurance company (I hope he is insured?) or the names of any witnesses (although there is a slim chance I could try and track some people who saw it).

Does anyone have any suggestions? Has anyone had a similar experience? I’d like to know what my legal position is – for example, if he’s refusing to pay should I involve the Police?

Thank you.

Hey_Dude

cdjockey wrote: »

My car was hit by another car after the driver reversed 15ft without looking over his right shoulder.

The crash has dented the front passenger wing and altered all the panel gaps including the bonnet.

The other driver admitted liability at the time and I got his name, address, home and mobile telephone numbers.

He was desperate to sort it out without involving the insurance company. I was ok doing this as I thought it would be less hassle and less likely to affect my premium.

I got a quote from a couple of garages for around £200 for fixing the damage but when I spoke to the guy, he thought it sounded too expensive. He said he would look at getting a company he knows to do the work or just pay me the quote I got.

Now he has stopped returning my calls for the last three days. It happened a week ago.

I don’t know what to do, I don’t want to claim on my insurance for the damage, but I don’t want to end up paying for the work myself either or for him to get away with it.

Can I report it to my insurance company on the proviso that they should chase the other guy’s insurance for the money and if they cannot get it that I will not claim on mine, (I think I have legal protection with my insurance, are these the people who would chase this guy?)

I have photos of the damage, his details, some of his paint on my car, his car registration and description.

What I don’t have are details of his insurance company (I hope he is insured?) or the names of any witnesses (although there is a slim chance I could try and track some people who saw it).

Does anyone have any suggestions? Has anyone had a similar experience? I’d like to know what my legal position is – for example, if he’s refusing to pay should I involve the Police?

Thank you.

OK - an admission of liability at the scene of a RTA counts for nothing - bizarre but true.

The Cops - they will not be interested.

Yes you can ask your Insurance to chase the guy and get an admission of liability before effecting repairs - protecting your NCD and excess.

If the claim goes belly up you can retract and it will be recorded for information purposes.

Witnesses are useful - especialy those not known to you.

If you have his vehicle reg that will help your Insurer.

Who are you Insured with?

(Good luck too my friend)

Duder

tinkerbell84

As above.

Didn't you sound your horn as he was getting closer and closer to you?

mattymoo

The £200 quote you have is likely to be the labour cost only. Parts, paint and VAT will be on top of that so do not let him settle on the basis of the quote.

cdjockey

Duder, thanks for the advice. I'm with Zurich. I was hoping that was the case with my insurance, I think that looks like the likely route, set them on him and see how it goes.

If the claim does get pulled will it really not affect my premiums? - or am i being cynical :rolleyes: .

@ tinkerbell84 - He was reversing quite quick and I thought surley this guy has seen me, it happened so fast. .

The quote is from a small place which I was recommended, if it does go all the way it will certainly cost alot more due to "proper garage", definate replacement parts, hire cars etc.

thankyou for the responses, any other options ideas?

cdjockey

mattymoo

Have a look at www.askmid.co.uk and enter the chaps reg no. Will give you an indication if he is insured or not. Sometimes people keen to avoid "involving their insurer" are not insured in the first place.

Hey_Dude

Zurich are not too bad - they should certainly act on your instructions and get an admission of liability.

If your Insurer and/or Broker track down this guy's insurers you will be flooded by parties wanting to help - including Zurich, Agents (Drive Assist, Helphire etc) and the guy's own insurance company.

It's an informed choice but consider:

Your insurance company - they should be protecting your interests.
Agents - their aim is to make as much money off the back of your claim - e.g. plonking you in a hire car whilst repairs are 'delayed'.
The other guy's company - you have no control if things aren't resolved to your satisfaction.

When you get repairs don't settle for a back-street garage - get the work done properly - this guy's insurers (if they have admitted liability) will meet the bill via your own insurers.

MID is useful but bear in mind it's not infallible - often it will not pick up fleet vehicles or those that have recently switched insurers.

Good luck,

Dude

cdjockey

Mattymoo and Hey dude, thanks for advice and links :beer: .

His reg is not on the database .

but then neithier is mine for some reason, however i known mine is insured...

I at least feel I know what I can do for now, he is still ignoring my calls. So I have given him a ime to contact me and then will go to insurer tomorrow.

I have put up some leaflets appealing for any witnesses as well so hopfully someone will come forward.

On the positive side the damage is light and I at least might get it right if there is another time.

What can you get at the side of the road to prove they admitted liability? A recording on a phone or a quickly signed statement, would an insurer believe these sort of things?

thanks once again people.:T

mattymoo

Only thing you can really do at the side of the road is take photos, produce a sketch and get down the other persons details, which you did. Some insurers provide an aide-memoire for this in the policy booklet.

Admissions made at the time rarely hold water since the other person will just say it was made under duress

Hey_Dude

And just to reiterate a verbal admission of liability - or witness of such - counts for nothing in a legal sense.

However given the circumstances you are looking solid - shouldn't be too much of a hardship for Zurich to chase this guy down.

Remember if he does not have insurance Zurich can do nice things like a DVLA check (to get his address) a background financial check (to see if he has money) and then present their invoice direct to the guy.

He can pay or go to court and then pay or not pay - which equals County Court Judgement.

Worth it IMHO for the pure satisfaction of seeing the right thing done.

Duder