Minor Accident with Uninsured Driver

[Daaave]

My sister has been bumped by an uninsured driver and I have given her some advice, but I thought I'd better check with some other people that probably know better...

It was on a roundabout, other party cut her up at about 10 mph and now she needs her wing mirror, wheel arch and wheel painting (all really quite minor). The other party was in a 07 VW Touareg, stopped gave name, address and phone number. The damage was hard to spot at the time (night) so my sis called him the next day to say she would definitely need to claim against him.

He then offers to pay for the damage rather than involve insurance companies. Great. However he then goes on to say that the reason why is that he doesn't have any insurance What an idiot.

So I've told my sis to get a quote for the work, send it to him and then get a cheque from him, bank it, let it clear and then phone the cops to report him. In doing this is she committing any kind of offence by receiving money from him?

She could just report him now, but I think she'd never get her money and end up with a damaged car to fix by herself, or face taking this idiot to court for the money which probably isn't worth the hassle.

A side issue is that I'm a bit worried that this guy will then pop round at 3 am some morning and key her car to say thank you for phoning the BiB (he has her address after all, exchnging details after the accident).

Any ideas?

[streaky]

As your sister has subsequently developed a sore neck and is concerned about whiplash, she feels she should report it to the police as a potential 'injury accident' - Streaky

[holborn]

Then she going be committing perjury and insurance fraud.

Not a bright way to deal with. If they guy been ok and paying why then go and do the dirty on him.


Why are the citizens of the uk turning into state informers all over the shop.

Edited by holborn on Friday 7th December 17:36

[paddyhasneeds]

Much as I detest people who drive without insurance, self preservation would come first for me.

Not sure if your sister lives on her own and what sort of car she drives, but not sure I'd want to be worrying about someone coming after me, my house or my car for the satisfaction of reporting them - doesn't seem a huge leap for them to do 2 + 2 and work out who did it.

[Daaave]

holborn said:

Then she going be committing perjury and insurance fraud.

Not a bright way to deal with. If they guy been ok and paying why then go and do the dirty on him.


Why are the citizens of the uk turning into state informers all over the shop.

Edited by holborn on Friday 7th December 17:36

In this case having no insurance is no big deal IMO. If Mr Touareg had hit my sister or any member of your family and actually hurt them would you still say the same? Even if he offered to pay for the hospital bills?

She was lucky, someone else mightn't be and I think that anyone who drives without insurance should be burned.

Years and years ago my dad was in an accident with an uninsured driver, they pulled out of a T-junction in front of him and he couldn't do anything but hit them. That car was being driven by a friend of the owner to pick the owners kids up from school . Everyone was alright thank god, but both vehicles were written off and my dad didn't get a penny. It nearly ruined his business trying to buy another replacement vehicle. Driving without insurance is inexcusable IMO.

paddyhasneeds said:

Much as I detest people who drive without insurance, self preservation would come first for me.

Not sure if your sister lives on her own and what sort of car she drives, but not sure I'd want to be worrying about someone coming after me, my house or my car for the satisfaction of reporting them - doesn't seem a huge leap for them to do 2 + 2 and work out who did it.

Yeah exactly, so even reporting it through Crimestoppers confidential line doesn't really help. Mr Touareg will will work it out within 3 nanoseconds.

[mikechandler]

Daaave said:

My sister has been bumped by an uninsured driver and I have given her some advice, but I thought I'd better check with some other people that probably know better...

It was on a roundabout, other party cut her up at about 10 mph and now she needs her wing mirror, wheel arch and wheel painting (all really quite minor). The other party was in a 07 VW Touareg, stopped gave name, address and phone number. The damage was hard to spot at the time (night) so my sis called him the next day to say she would definitely need to claim against him.

He then offers to pay for the damage rather than involve insurance companies. Great. However he then goes on to say that the reason why is that he doesn't have any insurance What an idiot.

So I've told my sis to get a quote for the work, send it to him and then get a cheque from him, bank it, let it clear and then phone the cops to report him. In doing this is she committing any kind of offence by receiving money from him?

She could just report him now, but I think she'd never get her money and end up with a damaged car to fix by herself, or face taking this idiot to court for the money which probably isn't worth the hassle.

A side issue is that I'm a bit worried that this guy will then pop round at 3 am some morning and key her car to say thank you for phoning the BiB (he has her address after all, exchnging details after the accident).

Any ideas?

An 07 plate car is more than likely going to be insured - maybe he is just saying he is uninsured so that your sister backs down or maybe he isn't named on the policy but there is an insurance policy on the vehicle. Go to www.askmid.com and type the reg in - see what that comes up with.

HTH

[jondude]

I think your whole OP and the responses highlight how little trust we have in our society, how little confidence in the police and justice system.

There seems to be - understandably - the fear that the uninsured criminal holds ALL the cards. He can drive away from the accident, he can ask YOU to clean up and send bills, he will consider them at his leisure....all while you live in fear he will not be satisfied and maybe come back to finish you off.

Doesn't that make us all sad? How did we allow such a society to develop?

Why on earth can't it be we are not afraid to call the police ( at the scene ) and let THEM deal with it immediately so that HE gets punished and taught a lesson. In this example, the criminal is teaching lessons.

Obviously, we don't call the police as we fear they will do nothing. We don't want to rock the boat of the criminal. We fear for our safety.

So sad.



( I think the best procedure (( too late now, of course )) is to call the police immediately. They will have to make an incident report, you then use this number to make a claim through the uninsured motorists bureau. This bureau is not a charity - we all pay around 30 quid a year extra in insurance to fund it. Let the police then take care of the uninsured driver )

[Daaave]

jondude said:

I think your whole OP and the responses highlight how little trust we have in our society, how little confidence in the police and justice system.

There seems to be - understandably - the fear that the uninsured criminal holds ALL the cards. He can drive away from the accident, he can ask YOU to clean up and send bills, he will consider them at his leisure....all while you live in fear he will not be satisfied and maybe come back to finish you off.

Doesn't that make us all sad? How did we allow such a society to develop?

Why on earth can't it be we are not afraid to call the police ( at the scene ) and let THEM deal with it immediately so that HE gets punished and taught a lesson. In this example, the criminal is teaching lessons.

Obviously, we don't call the police as we fear they will do nothing. We don't want to rock the boat of the criminal. We fear for our safety.

So sad.



( I think the best procedure (( too late now, of course )) is to call the police immediately. They will have to make an incident report, you then use this number to make a claim through the uninsured motorists bureau. This bureau is not a charity - we all pay around 30 quid a year extra in insurance to fund it. Let the police then take care of the uninsured driver )

I can't argue with anything you say, and yes I do think it's a very sad situation.

In light of the comments on here and the fact that the damage isn't massive I think I will speak to my sis about just calling the BiB now and forgetting the money up front.

Incidentally, at the scene the guy didn't mention his situation, it was only the next day when my sis called him. But yes, she should have just called the cops there and then.

[Hooli]

cops wont attend a non-injury accident as far as im aware.

[esselte]

holborn said:

Then she going be committing perjury and insurance fraud.

Not a bright way to deal with. If they guy been ok and paying why then go and do the dirty on him.


Why are the citizens of the uk turning into state informers all over the shop.

Edited by holborn on Friday 7th December 17:36

So you're OK with people driving around with no insurance?

[fat tony]

It will end up going through the motor insurance bods. They deal with all claims against uninsured drivers. They have a slush fund of millions to cover this sort of thing. Forget the police, just go through your insurance. Let them sort it out. Can't be seen as getting police involved then.

[Daaave]

fat tony said:

It will end up going through the motor insurance bods. They deal with all claims against uninsured drivers. They have a slush fund of millions to cover this sort of thing. Forget the police, just go through your insurance. Let them sort it out. Can't be seen as getting police involved then.

So how does that work if you're not actually claiming off your own insurance?

Call up your insurance, tell them you've been hit by someone who's uninsured but don't want to claim with them and then they call the police and consider arranging a payout via the motorists bureau?

I'd be a bit worried about her losing her NCB or somehow having the car logged as being in an accident which might give more grief when she decides to sell it. All for a fairly minor scrape. Hmm.

[Vixpy1]

Get a quote for repairs, get cheque of guy... all sorted.

[wrinx]

...and he's potentially still running around without insurance?

Stunned that there are posts here from people suggesting that's ok, or action shouldn't be taken against him???

wrinx

[holborn]

I wasent I was saying dont play all suck suck with they guy get the money the grass the guy up.
or claim fake wiplash as some have surgested.

if deal with the guy as hes offered to pay and move on or have the ball to tell him your calling the cops now.

as he be more pissed of if you take his money then grass on him and more likely to seek revenge.

[Noger]

Daaave said:

fat tony said:

It will end up going through the motor insurance bods. They deal with all claims against uninsured drivers. They have a slush fund of millions to cover this sort of thing. Forget the police, just go through your insurance. Let them sort it out. Can't be seen as getting police involved then.

So how does that work if you're not actually claiming off your own insurance?

Call up your insurance, tell them you've been hit by someone who's uninsured but don't want to claim with them and then they call the police and consider arranging a payout via the motorists bureau?

I'd be a bit worried about her losing her NCB or somehow having the car logged as being in an accident which might give more grief when she decides to sell it. All for a fairly minor scrape. Hmm.

The MIB won't even consider your claim if you have not been through your insurer, and asked them to try to find the driver and insurer. The MIB is very much "last resort".

[Scraggles]

was not aware of this. some scum bag forced me off the road and his plate matched some other car make with a differnt colour, compmany were useless and charged me the full excess, next time anything like it happens, they get forced off the road

[zcacogp]

I have been hit by uninsured drivers twice in the last 5 years, and would STRONGLY advise that you/sis inform the Police IMMEDIATELY.

TELL the other party that you are doing this, and ask him what he wants to do.

If he still offers to pay, tell him that you need payment IN FULL within 48 hours. (People who drive without insurance are not generally honest types, and not the sort who will honour their promises.)

IF this fails, sue him through whatever means you want. (Via your insurance company, or privately, as you choose.)

It may be worth having a quiet word with your insurance company anyway, as they MAY have legal cover on your policy, which you can use without affecting your NCB.

Either way, TELL the police IMMEDIATELY. Telling the other party that you are doing this is a good idea both because it makes it all open and because it lets them know that you are not stupid. (They are replying on your naievity to not tell plod.)

They also know that if plod are aware, and your sis's car is damaged, they will be at the top of the suspicion list. This will strongly discourage them from doing anything naughty.

Just my £0.02's worth.


Oli.

[jacko lah]

zcacogp said:

I have been hit by uninsured drivers twice in the last 5 years, and would STRONGLY advise that you/sis inform the Police IMMEDIATELY.

TELL the other party that you are doing this, and ask him what he wants to do.

If he still offers to pay, tell him that you need payment IN FULL within 48 hours. (People who drive without insurance are not generally honest types, and not the sort who will honour their promises.)

IF this fails, sue him through whatever means you want. (Via your insurance company, or privately, as you choose.)

It may be worth having a quiet word with your insurance company anyway, as they MAY have legal cover on your policy, which you can use without affecting your NCB.

Either way, TELL the police IMMEDIATELY. Telling the other party that you are doing this is a good idea both because it makes it all open and because it lets them know that you are not stupid. (They are replying on your naievity to not tell plod.)

They also know that if plod are aware, and your sis's car is damaged, they will be at the top of the suspicion list. This will strongly discourage them from doing anything naughty.

Just my £0.02's worth.


Oli.

I agreee so much with this.

If they are criminal enough to drive with no insurance they'll happily lie on oath later.

[SplatSpeed]

Vixpy1 said:

Get a quote for repairs, get cheque of guy... all sorted.

first time i have agreed with vixpy

what he said