Settle Privately/Accident Management Company/My Insurance?
Discussion
Some advice would be appreciated from the PH massive; I have never been in an accident in my own car before so not sure what the best way forward is.
Sat stationary in a line of traffic, dozy bint (too busy shouting to her mates across the road) goes into the back of me at about 25mph. Only damage appears to be to the paint on the rear bumper (e39 540 clearly built like a tank, hers faired much worst with the bumper pushed back into the bodywork and badly cracked) and I would think the bumper only needs a respray. Obtained contact details from said dozy bint (but not who she is insured with, she said her sister had all the details) and after she accepted full responsibility I told her I would call her in a couple of days with a quote for the repair so she could decide if she wanted to go through her insurance or settle privately.
Been advised this might not be the best way forward as once the bumper comes off their may be more damage underneath so could cost more than the original quote. Also could do with a hire car whilst the car is being repaired (to commute) and this will start to complicate things. Don’t really want to involve my insurance company as they will inevitably up my premium for sitting in traffic minding my own business.
Should I:
a) Settle privately for the amount shown on the quote (and run the risk of getting messed about for the money and coming up short if there are any nasty surprises)
b) Go the accident management route (and turn a couple of hundred quid bill into thousands)
c) Go through my insurance (and get bum raped come renewal time)
Your input would be appreciated.
Sat stationary in a line of traffic, dozy bint (too busy shouting to her mates across the road) goes into the back of me at about 25mph. Only damage appears to be to the paint on the rear bumper (e39 540 clearly built like a tank, hers faired much worst with the bumper pushed back into the bodywork and badly cracked) and I would think the bumper only needs a respray. Obtained contact details from said dozy bint (but not who she is insured with, she said her sister had all the details) and after she accepted full responsibility I told her I would call her in a couple of days with a quote for the repair so she could decide if she wanted to go through her insurance or settle privately.
Been advised this might not be the best way forward as once the bumper comes off their may be more damage underneath so could cost more than the original quote. Also could do with a hire car whilst the car is being repaired (to commute) and this will start to complicate things. Don’t really want to involve my insurance company as they will inevitably up my premium for sitting in traffic minding my own business.
Should I:
a) Settle privately for the amount shown on the quote (and run the risk of getting messed about for the money and coming up short if there are any nasty surprises)
b) Go the accident management route (and turn a couple of hundred quid bill into thousands)
c) Go through my insurance (and get bum raped come renewal time)
Your input would be appreciated.
Be wary of route a.
Many years ago I had a similar incident (I ran into the back of someone at a junction). No damage to third party, I hit his towball. Put a dent in the bumper of the Fiesta I had at the time, which I covered up by putting 'over-riders' on the bumper. Four years later the bumper started to come loose. What had happened was, behind the bumper were basically various bits that were there to cushion any impact. One had gone back into the bodywork and caused the paint to crack. Water had got in and the front of my car had rotted away as a result. It wasn't found at the time of the damage, since no-one told me to examine behind the bumper. Now translate that to what may happen with your car, it needs checking.
If you chose not to involve insurers and it goes wrong, they can refuse to allow a later claim.
Another incident I know of, bloke gets run into back of by young lad. Young lad says, get a quote I will pay for it. Bloke in his wisdom tells his insurance, and subsequent quote is a few thousand. Bloke involves insurance, and they find young lad has since moved. If he had gone your route a he would have had to pay himself. Insurers did a trace and found him and made him pay.
Accident management will take the job on, and will do similar to your insurer. Difference is normally they will only take on a 100% guaranteed case, and as a result you will not even have to pay out and then recover your excess. I did that recently when a woman reversed into my works motor while it was parked.
HTH
Many years ago I had a similar incident (I ran into the back of someone at a junction). No damage to third party, I hit his towball. Put a dent in the bumper of the Fiesta I had at the time, which I covered up by putting 'over-riders' on the bumper. Four years later the bumper started to come loose. What had happened was, behind the bumper were basically various bits that were there to cushion any impact. One had gone back into the bodywork and caused the paint to crack. Water had got in and the front of my car had rotted away as a result. It wasn't found at the time of the damage, since no-one told me to examine behind the bumper. Now translate that to what may happen with your car, it needs checking.
If you chose not to involve insurers and it goes wrong, they can refuse to allow a later claim.
Another incident I know of, bloke gets run into back of by young lad. Young lad says, get a quote I will pay for it. Bloke in his wisdom tells his insurance, and subsequent quote is a few thousand. Bloke involves insurance, and they find young lad has since moved. If he had gone your route a he would have had to pay himself. Insurers did a trace and found him and made him pay.
Accident management will take the job on, and will do similar to your insurer. Difference is normally they will only take on a 100% guaranteed case, and as a result you will not even have to pay out and then recover your excess. I did that recently when a woman reversed into my works motor while it was parked.
HTH
SteveS Cup said:
Your insurers don't need to be involved... Just go through hers. That's what I did when someone went in the back of me in traffic.
^ This. It's got nothing to do with your insurers. If she reports it her insurer will usually call you straight away to try and head you off before you go to an accident management company (that isn't their one...).The only involvement with your insurer is come renewal time when you have to declare it.
Remember a couple of things:
1. You decide where it gets repaired, do not agree to take it to their "approved repairer" (they'll be s
tE).2. You don't have whiplash.
3. That's all.
BMWBen said:
^ This. It's got nothing to do with your insurers. If she reports it her insurer will usually call you straight away to try and head you off before you go to an accident management company (that isn't their one...).
The only involvement with your insurer is come renewal time when you have to declare it.
Remember a couple of things:
1. You decide where it gets repaired, do not agree to take it to their "approved repairer" (they'll be stE).
2. You don't have whiplash.
3. That's all.
Thats fine, providing she is on the ball and reports it to her insurers quickly, if at all.The only involvement with your insurer is come renewal time when you have to declare it.
Remember a couple of things:
1. You decide where it gets repaired, do not agree to take it to their "approved repairer" (they'll be s
tE).2. You don't have whiplash.
3. That's all.
And do insurers deal the same with individuals as they do with other insurers or solicitors?
SteveS Cup said:
Your insurers don't need to be involved... Just go through hers. That's what I did when someone went in the back of me in traffic.
But if you don't report it, then three months later she calls your insurers saying you reversed into her then would you have a problem.I generally assume most people are scum bags and will try this sort of thing, at least that way I'm less surprised when they do try it.
Snowboy said:
There was a thing on watchdog the other day about people having their premium go up because they made a claim against someone elses insurance.
Depending on the values of moneys concerned it could be worth investigating this before making a decision.
This is what I am worried about, for the sake of a potentially minor repair my premium could end up sky rocketing.Depending on the values of moneys concerned it could be worth investigating this before making a decision.
The Dirty Bubble said:
Snowboy said:
There was a thing on watchdog the other day about people having their premium go up because they made a claim against someone elses insurance.
Depending on the values of moneys concerned it could be worth investigating this before making a decision.
This is what I am worried about, for the sake of a potentially minor repair my premium could end up sky rocketing.Depending on the values of moneys concerned it could be worth investigating this before making a decision.
I'd also be wary of route a, had someone clip the edge of my front bumper a while back and looked purely cosmetic. Then got it in the garage where it was found that the bumper bar behind was bd. Moral of the story is alwasy go through their insurers and don't mention it to your own if you can get away with it.
d. Moral of the story is alwasy go through their insurers and don't mention it to your own if you can get away with it.Got two quotes, phoned up the other party and gave them the bad news. Turns out they don't have a bean to their name, and will take a 'few' weeks to scrape the money together as they are a student.
I don't like where this is going. Also been warned that the bumper bar could be damaged, but the body shop won't know until the bumper comes off. Could add another £500 to the quote.
I don't like where this is going. Also been warned that the bumper bar could be damaged, but the body shop won't know until the bumper comes off. Could add another £500 to the quote.
The Dirty Bubble said:
Got two quotes, phoned up the other party and gave them the bad news. Turns out they don't have a bean to their name, and will take a 'few' weeks to scrape the money together as they are a student.
I don't like where this is going. Also been warned that the bumper bar could be damaged, but the body shop won't know until the bumper comes off. Could add another £500 to the quote.
Forget it. That's why they pay for insurance, claim.I don't like where this is going. Also been warned that the bumper bar could be damaged, but the body shop won't know until the bumper comes off. Could add another £500 to the quote.
Other party has taken little interest in resolving this and is now not taking my calls so her insurance company is the only option. Got all her details from askmid, for the sake of a £300 repair is it worth the impact on my insurance premiums though?
Appreciate advice from anyone who has any experiance of this.
Appreciate advice from anyone who has any experiance of this.
Although no longer in this sector, some years ago I used to run an substantial Accident Repair Centre and have had many dealings with the different players in the market and that includes Joe Public.
For some strange reason when it comes to bodyshop repairs and insurance claims every man and his dog seems to think that it's their perogative to screw someone else over (if you'll excuse the venacular)
In my many years experience I have found insurance companies to be decent, yes-commercially strong, but on the whole decent guys to deal with. The Assesors and Claims Management Teams have heard it all before a dozen times, if not on that day then on another one and frankly peoples lies stick out a mile.
So..to my advice.
So many times have we stripped a rear bumper to find the rear panel caved in - it's designed to and the plastic bumper bounces back out leaving just a scuff/paint mark - Check your bootwell very carefully!
Contact the lady's insurance company, ask for the Third Party Claims Handling Dept, notify them what has happened and ask them if they would make arrangements to sort it out.
Initially they may not be able to do anything until she has confirmed the incident. If you feel that you are getting the run around after a few days just tell them that you will be going to an Accident Management Company and also what do they advise you do about that pain in your neck which is now beginning to hurt?
Believe me your car will be collected, a courtesy car delivered and the case resolved faster than the proverbial ferret etc.
If there is still no response, notify your own insurance company and ask them to handle it; thats what you pay your premium for. Your insurance company will sort it out it and your premium won't go up -its a NON- FAULT and as such is treated the same as a crime - you have shown no negligence.
Finally, it's nice to read from someone who is trying to be decent - big thumbs up to you The Dirty Bubble (what a u/n!
)
p.s NEVER claim for spurious headaches/damage etc leave that to the low lifes
For some strange reason when it comes to bodyshop repairs and insurance claims every man and his dog seems to think that it's their perogative to screw someone else over (if you'll excuse the venacular)
In my many years experience I have found insurance companies to be decent, yes-commercially strong, but on the whole decent guys to deal with. The Assesors and Claims Management Teams have heard it all before a dozen times, if not on that day then on another one and frankly peoples lies stick out a mile.
So..to my advice.
So many times have we stripped a rear bumper to find the rear panel caved in - it's designed to and the plastic bumper bounces back out leaving just a scuff/paint mark - Check your bootwell very carefully!
Contact the lady's insurance company, ask for the Third Party Claims Handling Dept, notify them what has happened and ask them if they would make arrangements to sort it out.
Initially they may not be able to do anything until she has confirmed the incident. If you feel that you are getting the run around after a few days just tell them that you will be going to an Accident Management Company and also what do they advise you do about that pain in your neck which is now beginning to hurt?
Believe me your car will be collected, a courtesy car delivered and the case resolved faster than the proverbial ferret etc.
If there is still no response, notify your own insurance company and ask them to handle it; thats what you pay your premium for. Your insurance company will sort it out it and your premium won't go up -its a NON- FAULT and as such is treated the same as a crime - you have shown no negligence.
Finally, it's nice to read from someone who is trying to be decent - big thumbs up to you The Dirty Bubble (what a u/n!
)p.s NEVER claim for spurious headaches/damage etc leave that to the low lifes
calibrax said:
Carsie said:
Your insurance company will sort it out it and your premium won't go up -its a NON- FAULT and as such is treated the same as a crime - you have shown no negligence.
So, so wrong.I wish people wouldn't post at all rather than post drivel.
Woa UT! I can't let you get away with a cheap pop like that!.
It's not drivel, tosh or whatever else you claim - sic.
What I didn't say to the OP that I've also sat on the advisory boards of one of the largest respectable Motoring Organisations AM divisions as well as being a Director for a major player in the Insurance market.
Unless you're an underwriter and would care to enlighten me as to how the basis and calculations for premiums have changed in the past few years I would respectfully ask that you engage brain before knee jerking a response.
If I've got it wrong then I'll apologise but I don't think so or I wouldn't have proffered my advice.
It's not drivel, tosh or whatever else you claim - sic.
What I didn't say to the OP that I've also sat on the advisory boards of one of the largest respectable Motoring Organisations AM divisions as well as being a Director for a major player in the Insurance market.
Unless you're an underwriter and would care to enlighten me as to how the basis and calculations for premiums have changed in the past few years I would respectfully ask that you engage brain before knee jerking a response.
If I've got it wrong then I'll apologise but I don't think so or I wouldn't have proffered my advice.
Ok, maybe I went overboard, but your reply is just plain wrong. And that kind of disinformation is not good.
You imply a non fault claim has no negligence, and is treated as a crime, so no effect on premium. But being the victim of a crime does effect premium. If you've had a theft claim or vandalism or been hit whilst parked then that goes against you. And so it should, it's a no claim bonus, no a not blame bonus. So nelgligence has nothing to do with the effect on premium of a claim. Most novices to motoring understand that so I don't know how you could not be aware of that with your background.
Many insurers load your premium if you've been involved in a non fault claim, even if a recovery was made from the guilty party. Because some insurers have stats to show that making any type of claim means you're more likely to make a future claim. However some insurers don't.
But the way to test your crime/no negligence theory is to goon an online quote engine and imput your details to get a quote. Then re-imput the same info with a couple of theft claims or vandalism claims. And if the premium doesn't change, you were right and I was wrong!
You imply a non fault claim has no negligence, and is treated as a crime, so no effect on premium. But being the victim of a crime does effect premium. If you've had a theft claim or vandalism or been hit whilst parked then that goes against you. And so it should, it's a no claim bonus, no a not blame bonus. So nelgligence has nothing to do with the effect on premium of a claim. Most novices to motoring understand that so I don't know how you could not be aware of that with your background.
Many insurers load your premium if you've been involved in a non fault claim, even if a recovery was made from the guilty party. Because some insurers have stats to show that making any type of claim means you're more likely to make a future claim. However some insurers don't.
But the way to test your crime/no negligence theory is to goon an online quote engine and imput your details to get a quote. Then re-imput the same info with a couple of theft claims or vandalism claims. And if the premium doesn't change, you were right and I was wrong!
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