Just had an accident - tell insurance?

[ctid]

Hi,

I don't post here much, I'm more of a lurker. I've just had a minor accident in traffic where I bumped into the back of a Mondeo. We've swapped details and I've said I'm happy to pay for his damage out of my own pocket. It looks like a new rear bumper for him, hopefully no other damage underneath.

He's going to inform his insurers today. Should I do the same even though I hopefully won't be claiming from it? I think the hit of losing 2 years NCB will be more than the cost of repair.

Thanks for any advice, I've never been in this situation before.

[HellDiver]

Telling your insurance is a very good idea. In my experience it'll come back and bite you in the ass if you don't.

[ZOLLAR]

Yes you need to tell your insurer, especially if the other person has as their insurer will note the accident/incident on the claims database and your insurer will pick up on it eventually through routine checks.

HTH

[Risotto]

ctid said:

Hi,

I don't post here much, I'm more of a lurker. I've just had a minor accident in traffic where I bumped into the back of a Mondeo. We've swapped details and I've said I'm happy to pay for his damage out of my own pocket. It looks like a new rear bumper for him, hopefully no other damage underneath.

He's going to inform his insurers today. Should I do the same even though I hopefully won't be claiming from it? I think the hit of losing 2 years NCB will be more than the cost of repair.

Thanks for any advice, I've never been in this situation before.

If you're trying to pay for it out of your own pocket, it's probably easier if neither of you contact any insurers. His insurers are likely to want to know how the damage occurred, who inflicted it, who to contact to recover costs, etc.

Personally, I'd think carefully about doing it outside of insurers. If he pops down to his local Ford dealer and asks for it to be repaired, they're going to charge a fortune - I doubt he's going to want to get it repaired at a backstreet garage just to save you some money.

What I mean is, it might be cheaper, even with partial loss of NCB and increased premiums, to let him claim off your insurers.

Edited by Risotto on Thursday 21st October 10:20

[ctid]

Thanks for the advice I'll give them a call now. This might be an expensive morning

[ctid]

Risotto: Yeah he did mention taking it to the dealer. I imagine this is going to be around 1k assuming no other damage?

Cheers all

[steveo3002]

no doubt whiplash for all 5 people in the car too

[john_p]

Do they make new rear bumpers for Mondeos? I thought they just taped them up.

As Zollar says your insurer will find out about it eventually, and then you have the hassle of "you didn't tell us within 48 hrs.." so best to tell them.

[Splats]

You have to tell them now because you gave the other driver your details. If you wanted to avoid this you would need to have convinced the other driver not to swap details and that you would have made good on the repair yourself.

[Aeroresh]

plus if he decides when hes got home that his neck is suddenly sore, costs could escalate more.

Defo report it.

[redstu]

In terms of cost, my cars a passat but a rear bumper and light was less than £600 at an approved repairer.

[RJDM3]

Is your NCB protected?

Call your insurer as a matter of course.

[ctid]

I've informed my insurer about it. The guy said he was going to tell his today anyway, even if I paid out of my own pocket.

Looks like I'll just have to suck it up. My NCB aren't protected, you can't do that till you have 5 years can you?

On another note, my insurers asked if I had informed the police. Do I have to do this?

Thanks

[ZOLLAR]

ctid said:

I've informed my insurer about it. The guy said he was going to tell his today anyway, even if I paid out of my own pocket.

Looks like I'll just have to suck it up. My NCB aren't protected, you can't do that till you have 5 years can you?

On another note, my insurers asked if I had informed the police. Do I have to do this?

Thanks

Usually its 4 years you can protect your NCB, but it can vary per insurer.
Usually you don't have to inform the police unless someone has been injured, the person may have had a script of things they would have had to ask just to gather info i.e. If you had contacted the police the insurer may be able to get some info from them to ascertain whos at fault (although if your not claiming it won't matter).

[Phil Dicky]

ctid said:

On another note, my insurers asked if I had informed the police. Do I have to do this?

Thanks

Nope unless its an injury accident or some allergations etc

[SGirl]

If you inform your insurers but make good the damage yourself, you can register it as a "claim for information purposes only". You won't lose your NCD if your insurers don't make a payout to the other driver. But at least you've notified the insurers, which - strictly speaking - you're legally obliged to do.

[Fastra]

Always best to let them know, you just never know how it'll pan out.

I clouted the back of a Corsa a few years ago (my fault and I admitted it at the time to the poor woman who was driving - you've just got to hold you hands up sometimes). Apart from a cracked number plate there wasn't a mark on it, she was very nice about it all and I insisted she get it checked out properly. I hit is smack in the middle with my offside front corner and it had pushed the boot floor and spare wheel space back a bit - ending up with my insurance paying out £900 in parts and hire car costs to her.

I think with me being honest with her (I rang her a couple of times after to she how she was and how things were progressing and everything was extremely civil) from the outset and coming clean possibly prevented any 'neck' injury claims from going in - but then again she seemed an honest type anyway.

[defblade]

john_p said:

Do they make new rear bumpers for Mondeos? I thought they just taped them up.

I'm sure I've heard they're stupid expensive - hence the big increase in gaffa tape sales