non fault accident - advice needed

[tgr]

My car was parked and empty. Rental van reverses into it at right angles and dents the driver's door severely. I happened to see this (although don't have a witness) and hurried over to look at the damage. Driver sees me - to his credit is very apologetic. Wants to settle in cash, asks me to get a quote. I get a quote which ends up being much more than he had in mind as on inspection a new door is needed.

When he sees the quote he wants to go through insurance - understandably.

Will my insurance be affected even if this is 100% the other driver's fault & if so, is there anything I can do to minimise my paying the price for this fellow's error?

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Even if you claim directly from his insurer, you should notify your own insurer of the incident at next renewal. Some insurers charge for a non fault claim, some don't. So no one can answer your question, although lots of people will no doubt think they can, as you will find out as this thread develops.

[tgr]

Thanks Twig.

If I have to tell them fine, I'll do so. Is it worth asking them to sort the entire thing out?

[TwigtheWonderkid]

You could do, if you have comp cover. But if the other party comes up with his insurance details and is accepting responsibility, personally I'd go direct to his insurer. No excess to pay and claim back later, and they should sort you out a courtesy car whilst yours is off the road.

[tgr]

Twig - thanks very much.

I'll give them a ring on Monday. Will update the thread if there are any noteworthy developments.

I would rather prefer not to have the complication/hassle of a hire car, I just want my own one back as it was

[TwigtheWonderkid]

If you go direct to the tp insurer, and their client has admitted blame, there will be no hassle with the hire car. They will drop it off on the day they collect yours for repair, and pick it up when they bring yours back fixed. You'll have to sign for it upon delivery and agree any pre existing marks or damage, and have it inspected when they collect it, which isn't unreasonable.

[Meeja]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

If you go direct to the tp insurer, and their client has admitted blame, there will be no hassle with the hire car. They will drop it off on the day they collect yours for repair, and pick it up when they bring yours back fixed. You'll have to sign for it upon delivery and agree any pre existing marks or damage, and have it inspected when they collect it, which isn't unreasonable.

Don't forget to make sure the fuel level in any hire car is the same when you return it as it was when you received it.

Most hire firms will charge you to refuel at much more than you pay at a filling station.

[tgr]

Update: car hire company has agreed in writing to pay for the repair as opposed to using their insurance policy, and has told the garage. While this doesn't guarantee anything it's going to be difficult for them to renegue on that, I hope

[LoonR1]

tgr said:

Update: car hire company has agreed in writing to pay for the repair as opposed to using their insurance policy, and has told the garage. While this doesn't guarantee anything it's going to be difficult for them to renegue on that, I hope

Car hire company or van rental company?

[tgr]

Sorry Loon, van rental company to be more precise

[LoonR1]

I was just trying to work out if the other side were dealing, or whether you'd headed off to an AMC for a "fee" hire car.

Good choice btw.

[tgr]

Just to close this off, I got the car back and they did a good job. The van rental company liaised directly with the body shop, without the need for me to get involved beyond the initial stage. Bodyshop took twice as long as they said, but the result is good. Maybe I was lucky... Thanks all for the advice!

I will of course declare it to the insurance company at renewal

[Mr SFJ]

tgr said:

Just to close this off, I got the car back and they did a good job. The van rental company liaised directly with the body shop, without the need for me to get involved beyond the initial stage. Bodyshop took twice as long as they said, but the result is good. Maybe I was lucky... Thanks all for the advice!

I will of course declare it to the insurance company at renewal

I don't think you would need to would you?
As the repair was done without insurance companies intervention.
Might be wrong though.

[LoonR1]

Mr SFJ said:

I don't think you would need to would you?
As the repair was done without insurance companies intervention.
Might be wrong though.

Pragmatically you're probably right. However technically the question is "suffered any loss whether insured or not in the past n years"

Up to you and the OP how to proceed.