Accident & insurance
Discussion
Hi all, need a little knowledge regarding an incident I had tonight.
A lady ran into the back of my Focus while I was stopped at lights this evening on the way home. Fairly minor shunt, her car escaped with just a cracked front number plate, and mine with a squashed rear bumper. No injuries or any other damage. We swapped details and I said I'd give her a call in the morning as I wanted to look at my car in the light. I had every intention of asking her to pay for a bumper from a scrap yard or breaking car, as my focus is getting to the age where I think it might get written off quite easily. I'm also a fairly young driver and really could do without having to declare accidents.l (like everyone, I'm sure).
However, I've just had a text from her insurance company asking me to call them, and they will sort everything out. I assume this means I now have to go through them, and have to declare this for the next God knows how many years?
A lady ran into the back of my Focus while I was stopped at lights this evening on the way home. Fairly minor shunt, her car escaped with just a cracked front number plate, and mine with a squashed rear bumper. No injuries or any other damage. We swapped details and I said I'd give her a call in the morning as I wanted to look at my car in the light. I had every intention of asking her to pay for a bumper from a scrap yard or breaking car, as my focus is getting to the age where I think it might get written off quite easily. I'm also a fairly young driver and really could do without having to declare accidents.l (like everyone, I'm sure).
However, I've just had a text from her insurance company asking me to call them, and they will sort everything out. I assume this means I now have to go through them, and have to declare this for the next God knows how many years?
Viperz888 said:
Hi all, need a little knowledge regarding an incident I had tonight.
A lady ran into the back of my Focus while I was stopped at lights this evening on the way home. Fairly minor shunt, her car escaped with just a cracked front number plate, and mine with a squashed rear bumper. No injuries or any other damage. We swapped details and I said I'd give her a call in the morning as I wanted to look at my car in the light. I had every intention of asking her to pay for a bumper from a scrap yard or breaking car, as my focus is getting to the age where I think it might get written off quite easily. I'm also a fairly young driver and really could do without having to declare accidents.l (like everyone, I'm sure).
However, I've just had a text from her insurance company asking me to call them, and they will sort everything out. I assume this means I now have to go through them, and have to declare this for the next God knows how many years?
Well you don't have to go through them if she is willing to pay for it cash, but your accident is on the system now.A lady ran into the back of my Focus while I was stopped at lights this evening on the way home. Fairly minor shunt, her car escaped with just a cracked front number plate, and mine with a squashed rear bumper. No injuries or any other damage. We swapped details and I said I'd give her a call in the morning as I wanted to look at my car in the light. I had every intention of asking her to pay for a bumper from a scrap yard or breaking car, as my focus is getting to the age where I think it might get written off quite easily. I'm also a fairly young driver and really could do without having to declare accidents.l (like everyone, I'm sure).
However, I've just had a text from her insurance company asking me to call them, and they will sort everything out. I assume this means I now have to go through them, and have to declare this for the next God knows how many years?
You don't always get shafted declaring a non fault claim. It made zero difference to my policy adding the wifes NF claim. My 18 year old son wrote his car off after 6 months and has literally renewed this morning, adding a total loss fault claim and zero NCB increased his premium under £200.
Looks like she's reported it to her insurer which in the scheme of things is a good thing. As they've made contact, I presume she's admitted liability to them too. Personally, I'd just go through them. They will bend over backwards to sort your car out. They'll collect it, repair it, drop it off and provide a hire car in the intervening period all at no cost to yourself.
You do have to report the accident to your own insurers though however as the third party insurer seems to be wanting to deal with it themselves, just make the report "for information purposes only" and that you have no intention of claiming from your own insurers.
You do have to report the accident to your own insurers though however as the third party insurer seems to be wanting to deal with it themselves, just make the report "for information purposes only" and that you have no intention of claiming from your own insurers.
I got walloped in my company car by somebody who failed to stop at a give way sign. A few days later, I got my renewal for my Elise - roughly £650. I rang them to tell them about the recent accident and it went up to about £750. A few weeks later, my employer's accident management company emailed me to say the other party had accepted liability, so I forwarded to my broker. A couple of days later, they emailed me with the amended documents, which showed my premium had dropped to £550.
Non-fault accidents can and do affect your premium; sometimes for the better, and sometimes for the worse.
With regards to declaring it, technically you don't not have to declare anything; the Consumer Insurance Act requires the insurer to ask the relevant questions, which you must answer honestly. Generally speaking, most will ask you about all accidents and claims, irrespective of fault, in the last five years.
Even if the insurer wasn't aware of the accident, and the method it was settled, it is a good idea not to try and conceal it from the insurer. These things can come out at a later date, and seriously bite you on the bum when they do. Also, many people who offer to settle privately change their story when they see the garage bill, and your insurer may be less helpful, or less able to help if you leave it.
Non-fault accidents can and do affect your premium; sometimes for the better, and sometimes for the worse.
With regards to declaring it, technically you don't not have to declare anything; the Consumer Insurance Act requires the insurer to ask the relevant questions, which you must answer honestly. Generally speaking, most will ask you about all accidents and claims, irrespective of fault, in the last five years.
Even if the insurer wasn't aware of the accident, and the method it was settled, it is a good idea not to try and conceal it from the insurer. These things can come out at a later date, and seriously bite you on the bum when they do. Also, many people who offer to settle privately change their story when they see the garage bill, and your insurer may be less helpful, or less able to help if you leave it.
Edited by Ganglandboss on Friday 23 December 03:04
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