Minor accident
Discussion
Hi,
I was stopped at a red light and a car went into the back of my car. They’ve clipped the back and side. It’s a minor scuff, but the bigger problem is that now the parking sensors beep continuously. As it’s a 20 year old 5 series I’m worried this will be a write off.
After not reporting an incident years ago as there was no contact with a cyclist who fell off of their bike of their own accord (advised by local police station nothing to report, only later to be sent a letter for leaving the scene of an accident. Later resolved as the officer I spoke to remembered me coming in) I’d rather not risk not reporting to insurance companies with cash settlement etc and having to chase the other person for money. With my own mental health and family situations at the moment I don’t have the capacity for that if I’m honest. Other driver didn’t have their insurance details so couldn’t contact their insurance directly.
I’ve spoken to Christ Knott claims line who will contact my insurers and the third party as it’s a non fault claim. I didn’t realise in my haste when calling that it’s actually a claims management company and not my insurers directly, but it’s the number provided to me and different to the one in the small print of the insurance docs which is direct with my insurer.
How do I go about ensuring the car is repaired and not just written off? Appreciate not going insurance route would have been simpler but once bitten and all that (took years to resolve).
The claims company asked for photos of damage, all sides of the car and inside including a picture of the odometer.
I’m guessing step one is don’t let the car be taken anywhere as then it’s harder to get it back?
Speak to the assessor if they make contact and explain not many for sale, can’t easily replace like for like?
Or is it accept the write off on agreement of buy back?
Thanks in advance.
I was stopped at a red light and a car went into the back of my car. They’ve clipped the back and side. It’s a minor scuff, but the bigger problem is that now the parking sensors beep continuously. As it’s a 20 year old 5 series I’m worried this will be a write off.
After not reporting an incident years ago as there was no contact with a cyclist who fell off of their bike of their own accord (advised by local police station nothing to report, only later to be sent a letter for leaving the scene of an accident. Later resolved as the officer I spoke to remembered me coming in) I’d rather not risk not reporting to insurance companies with cash settlement etc and having to chase the other person for money. With my own mental health and family situations at the moment I don’t have the capacity for that if I’m honest. Other driver didn’t have their insurance details so couldn’t contact their insurance directly.
I’ve spoken to Christ Knott claims line who will contact my insurers and the third party as it’s a non fault claim. I didn’t realise in my haste when calling that it’s actually a claims management company and not my insurers directly, but it’s the number provided to me and different to the one in the small print of the insurance docs which is direct with my insurer.
How do I go about ensuring the car is repaired and not just written off? Appreciate not going insurance route would have been simpler but once bitten and all that (took years to resolve).
The claims company asked for photos of damage, all sides of the car and inside including a picture of the odometer.
I’m guessing step one is don’t let the car be taken anywhere as then it’s harder to get it back?
Speak to the assessor if they make contact and explain not many for sale, can’t easily replace like for like?
Or is it accept the write off on agreement of buy back?
Thanks in advance.
It's been a long time since I've been in a similar situation, so take my understanding with a pinch of salt.
- All accident should always be reported to your insurance company. I'm sure there is a requirement in your contract.
- You are under no obligation to make a claim
- I was once offered to either have the car written off, or receive the money and fix it myself. I chose the latter. This was with Admiral and is dependent on the insurance company policies, who's fault it is and what sort of damage. It's worth asking. I think I received the "car value" minus scrap value. Or something like that.
So I think you are right to report it.
Get all the inspections done.
If the insurance company say it's a write off, ask for the money instead.
If they refuse, then refuse to make a claim.
If I've got anything wrong, someone will come along shortly and correct me.
- All accident should always be reported to your insurance company. I'm sure there is a requirement in your contract.
- You are under no obligation to make a claim
- I was once offered to either have the car written off, or receive the money and fix it myself. I chose the latter. This was with Admiral and is dependent on the insurance company policies, who's fault it is and what sort of damage. It's worth asking. I think I received the "car value" minus scrap value. Or something like that.
So I think you are right to report it.
Get all the inspections done.
If the insurance company say it's a write off, ask for the money instead.
If they refuse, then refuse to make a claim.
If I've got anything wrong, someone will come along shortly and correct me.
Birdster said:
I’m guessing step one is don’t let the car be taken anywhere as then it’s harder to get it back?
This first.Then I'd be in touch with the third party's insurers (rather than going through the AMC
You can always go back to the AMC if the third party plays up or doesn't accept liability, as I understand it, but I've had a couple of similar incidents and they've been easy to sort myself with a little legwork getting quotes.
Not sure why it needs explaining but as I have nothing to hide and it feels like I’m being pointed out as being anti cyclist or something when I cycle myself and used to commute into London by bicycle, so I’m aware of how to drive around cyclists.
They fell off of their own accord after jumping off of a kerb, witness came out of nowhere after the incident and changed the story that it was my driving and I clipped them, then no damage was found to the car so it changed that they swerved and said I was speeding. Assessor came out, measured the road where the incident took place and backed up that I couldn’t possibly have been speeding as I’d just turned around ready to park outside my house on a dead end road. Ended up with insurance paying out to them anyway (a very sore point), but the bigger problem was I noted all details to police after it happened as I stopped to check on them out of kindness. I then still received the letter from the police and had hassle down the line. It’s only because the officer I spoke to remembered me and gave details that I visited the local station at the time and that they advised me nothing to report as no contact (turned out to be the wrong advice).
I’d appreciate if we could not make the thread about an incident from years ago.
ETA - Apologies if I’m coming off sensitive, just that injustice got me, especially when I went to check they were okay.
They fell off of their own accord after jumping off of a kerb, witness came out of nowhere after the incident and changed the story that it was my driving and I clipped them, then no damage was found to the car so it changed that they swerved and said I was speeding. Assessor came out, measured the road where the incident took place and backed up that I couldn’t possibly have been speeding as I’d just turned around ready to park outside my house on a dead end road. Ended up with insurance paying out to them anyway (a very sore point), but the bigger problem was I noted all details to police after it happened as I stopped to check on them out of kindness. I then still received the letter from the police and had hassle down the line. It’s only because the officer I spoke to remembered me and gave details that I visited the local station at the time and that they advised me nothing to report as no contact (turned out to be the wrong advice).
I’d appreciate if we could not make the thread about an incident from years ago.
ETA - Apologies if I’m coming off sensitive, just that injustice got me, especially when I went to check they were okay.
Edited by Birdster on Thursday 13th January 10:11
If you don't have the time/capacity to sort this out directly with the other party's insurance then use your own. That's what you pay them for.
But you'll be hard pushed to do that but also have it treated as if you'd gone to the other insurer direct.
If they write your car off, take the money, buy the salvage and get it repaired.
But you'll be hard pushed to do that but also have it treated as if you'd gone to the other insurer direct.
If they write your car off, take the money, buy the salvage and get it repaired.
Your sensors are no longer in alignment, for the moment (Assuming E39?) Open your boot, right hand side behind the carpet is the PDC module, just disconnect that for the moment, fit a second hand bumper with crash bar and PDC, then plug it all back in.
Or if you are putting it into reverse and it makes one continuous beep for 5 seconds or so, one of your sensors is dead, probably the one that has been hit, you could be able to pop the corner trim off and just replace it, the E39 sensors get super funky as they get older, even dirt can send them wild, or they can take out all your dash lights and aircon.
Don't bother claiming, if it isn't a Sport, you can probably get a bumper for about £20, if I was still breaking them I would ask you to come collect it for free, they always get lobbed out, wouldn't pay much more than that for a complete E39 bumper
Or if you are putting it into reverse and it makes one continuous beep for 5 seconds or so, one of your sensors is dead, probably the one that has been hit, you could be able to pop the corner trim off and just replace it, the E39 sensors get super funky as they get older, even dirt can send them wild, or they can take out all your dash lights and aircon.
Don't bother claiming, if it isn't a Sport, you can probably get a bumper for about £20, if I was still breaking them I would ask you to come collect it for free, they always get lobbed out, wouldn't pay much more than that for a complete E39 bumper
I thought the claims company would claim off of the other drivers insurance? That’s how I understood the phone call.
Correct it’s an E39 SE.
I just googled and put the ignition on, car in reverse and walked around using my hand to set the sensors off. Each one went on and off as expected.
As soon as I start the engine, engage d or r and move it chimes constantly. If I move away and go above 20mph it goes off, as does the PDC light. I stop and put the car in reverse and it comes on constant chime even if there is nothing behind me. Tried a few variations and it seems either press the button to switch it off or go above 20mph.
Correct it’s an E39 SE.
I just googled and put the ignition on, car in reverse and walked around using my hand to set the sensors off. Each one went on and off as expected.
As soon as I start the engine, engage d or r and move it chimes constantly. If I move away and go above 20mph it goes off, as does the PDC light. I stop and put the car in reverse and it comes on constant chime even if there is nothing behind me. Tried a few variations and it seems either press the button to switch it off or go above 20mph.
Birdster said:
I thought the claims company would claim off of the other drivers insurance? That’s how I understood the phone call.
Correct it’s an E39 SE.
I just googled and put the ignition on, car in reverse and walked around using my hand to set the sensors off. Each one went on and off as expected.
As soon as I start the engine, engage d or r and move it chimes constantly. If I move away and go above 20mph it goes off, as does the PDC light. I stop and put the car in reverse and it comes on constant chime even if there is nothing behind me. Tried a few variations and it seems either press the button to switch it off or go above 20mph.
I would just unplug the unit, ass you have the button I assume facelift, it controls front and rear sensors from one module, just unplug it for the moment, then just gut a bumper or new sensors, cheap enough to pick up a few second hand ones, they rarely fail, when they do it is usually the central ones which need bumper off, but the corner ones just pull the trim off, replace.Correct it’s an E39 SE.
I just googled and put the ignition on, car in reverse and walked around using my hand to set the sensors off. Each one went on and off as expected.
As soon as I start the engine, engage d or r and move it chimes constantly. If I move away and go above 20mph it goes off, as does the PDC light. I stop and put the car in reverse and it comes on constant chime even if there is nothing behind me. Tried a few variations and it seems either press the button to switch it off or go above 20mph.
I am sure it has 3 plugs and PDC written on it, should stop the annoyance in the meantime
Personally, I’d tell your own insurers for information purposes only. Cancel any action that the accident management company are going to try and take.
Then, Google askmid and search for the insurers of the third party vehicle. Contact them directly and they will deal with your claim directly. They’ll probably send an assessor out to prepare a report which will cost out the repairs required to your car. Once this is in they’ll let you know if it’s repairable or a write off. At this stage, ask for a payment in lieu of repairs or writeoff. You’ll probably get a figure which will allow you to go off and repair the vehicle yourself cheaply using second hand parts if need be.
Then, Google askmid and search for the insurers of the third party vehicle. Contact them directly and they will deal with your claim directly. They’ll probably send an assessor out to prepare a report which will cost out the repairs required to your car. Once this is in they’ll let you know if it’s repairable or a write off. At this stage, ask for a payment in lieu of repairs or writeoff. You’ll probably get a figure which will allow you to go off and repair the vehicle yourself cheaply using second hand parts if need be.
ingenieur said:
Birdster said:
I don’t have the other parties insurance details as they wouldn’t/couldn’t provide them.
Might try calling them later and seeing if they have the details / are willing to hand them over.
Your insurance company can tell you who the other parties insurers are. Might try calling them later and seeing if they have the details / are willing to hand them over.
Birdster said:
Thanks will look at unplugging. As it’s quite annoying.
Is there a better way of working out what has failed than the put in reverse and walk around test I done?
Or try change sensors first and then changed bumper?
Bumper is out of alignment or the sensor has shifted, or the sensor has failed but still works.Is there a better way of working out what has failed than the put in reverse and walk around test I done?
Or try change sensors first and then changed bumper?
montyjohn said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Did this affect your insurance costs for the following 5 years?If think there's an option for accident, at fault, no third part claim - or something like that.
Assume this does impact the price, but not sure how much?
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