Crashed my car - need some advice!!

Marmiter

Hello!

this morning at about 5.30am (early!!!) I crashed into 2 cars.
I was driving down the road, and a car came up really fast behind me and dazzled me in the mirror. Because I couldn't see properly, I clipped a car, and this caught my wheel and I crashed into another car.
My car was only worth about £700 and the work to repair it would have been over £1000, so we decided to scrap it.

I phoned my insurance and admitted that it was my fault, but is that correct considering I was dazzled by the guy behind?
By the way, this guy just turned around and drove off, and didn't even check to see if I was ok. ( I am not injured but I wasn't able to get out of the drivers side which panicked me a bit!!)
I only passed my test in June, so I have no no claims, which means my insurance was quite high anyway. Will my insurance go up by loads?
Also, if I get a new car within the next few weeks, will I be able to use the old policy?
If I don't decide to get a new car, will I still have to pay the rest of the insurance? I am paying monthly and have only paid 2 installments.

Thanks for any help!!

Fran

Sorry to hear about your crash, I hope you're not too shaken by it.

I can't quite picture what the situation was but unfortunately if you hit other cars then it was "your fault". Presumably there were no witnesses then - didn't any of the three cars stop? Did you swap insurers?

The insurance co. will ask you full details such as drawing a diagram of where the cars were on the road so you can include the dazzling bit.

You would be better off cancelling your insurance as you are not sure when you're getting a car. In any case you haven't got the car that is insured if you have scrapped it. It depends if you make a claim or not how much a new policy will be. The trouble is that a claim now will affect any insurance you try to get for the next 3-5 years (not sure which).

paul_h

Fran wrote:

You would be better off cancelling your insurance as you are not sure when you're getting a car. In any case you haven't got the car that is insured if you have scrapped it. It depends if you make a claim or not how much a new policy will be. The trouble is that a claim now will affect any insurance you try to get for the next 3-5 years (not sure which).

Fran's right, if you claim, or any of the other drivers claim off you, your insurance will be loaded (i.e. with an additional loading to the premium) for the next 5 years, every insurance company I've dealt with ask for 5 years history.

withabix

Will my insurance go up by loads?

YES

Also, if I get a new car within the next few weeks, will I be able to use the old policy?

YES (unless they refuse to continue your policy)

If I don't decide to get a new car, will I still have to pay the rest of the insurance? I am paying monthly and have only paid 2 installments.

YES (and they may insist that you pay the remainder straight away)

niceguy_tourist

Elephant and admiral only ask for any claims in the last three years. They have been the best insurers for me so far. Admiral can be about £10 more expense than Elephant although you can sometimes get them to come down in price by telling them what quote you got from Elephant. Both sister companies anyway so it is the exact same policy. Think the only difference is that you have to pay the years insurance in a one off payment with Elephant whereas Admiral let you pay it monthly. Also they have a bonus accelerator scheme which basically insures you for 10 months but gives you a years no claims bonus at the end of it. Good Luck!!

Marmiter

Thanks for all the replies.
I just spoke to my insurance company (Endsleigh) and they said that my premium won't go up until next year, and then depending on the type of car that I will be driving it will increase.

I forgot to say that I am over 25, so my insurance isn't quite as expensive as it would be for a 17 year old!

I went to see the people whose cars I smashed and they were really nice, which has made the situation a lot easier!

raino144

As additional information:

Endsleigh are mainly resellers of Norwich Union policies so you may be able to get a better rate direct through them...

Insurers underwritten by Churchill (UK Insurance?) - (Nationwide, Tesco, +others) only ask for last 3 years claims history (cf. 5yrs NU) but 5yrs past convictions (standard)...

Hope this helps (a bit)

Fran

rachyerbs wrote:

I went to see the people whose cars I smashed and they were really nice, which has made the situation a lot easier!

:eek:

That's very bold & brave!!

Marmiter

they only live about 15 doors down from me, so I thought it was best to go and apologise, rather than accidentally bump into them (not in a car!!!) and for it to feel awkward!!