First accident
Discussion
Just had my very first accident lol, nothing exciting so won't bore you with pictures but needless to say I was at fault. As its my first accident, I'm not really sure what I need to do though but happily it was one of the nice ladies from work I bumped into the back of so it should go smoothly hopefully.
I've provided her with my mobile number and my Elephant insurance policy number, I've also phoned Elephant and reported the accident to them, providing reg number of other car and contact details, they've provided a reference number that I've emailed over to the lady I went into. She drove off after I apologised and assessed the damage saying she's going to phone her insurers but what happens next, do I need to do anything else?
I've been provided with a garage to take the car by Elephant, Just Car Clinic in Nottingham, and then pay my excess when I pick the car up from them - luckily I'd reduced my excess from £1000 to £250 at my last renewal.
I've provided her with my mobile number and my Elephant insurance policy number, I've also phoned Elephant and reported the accident to them, providing reg number of other car and contact details, they've provided a reference number that I've emailed over to the lady I went into. She drove off after I apologised and assessed the damage saying she's going to phone her insurers but what happens next, do I need to do anything else?
I've been provided with a garage to take the car by Elephant, Just Car Clinic in Nottingham, and then pay my excess when I pick the car up from them - luckily I'd reduced my excess from £1000 to £250 at my last renewal.
You don't have to use their garage - when someone went into the back of me the insurance tried to insist I used the company they gave me. A quick google suggested they were a shower of s
t, so I insisted on using my own body shop guy. They didn't like it and will try and talk you out of it, but hold your ground if that what you want.
t, so I insisted on using my own body shop guy. They didn't like it and will try and talk you out of it, but hold your ground if that what you want.Not much damage appeared to have been done to the Kia Piccanto I hit, rear bumper looked like some of the clips had come lose and there was a little bit of wire popping out near the reg plate. My car looked more damaged, front bumper has been pushed in and the reg plate is cracked.
It was a slow speed accident but I wanted it done through insurance as less hassle, especially when it's with a work colleague so wanted it sorted ASAP rather than asking them to get quotes. I'm hoping it'd be smoother for the both of us doing it that way.
It was a slow speed accident but I wanted it done through insurance as less hassle, especially when it's with a work colleague so wanted it sorted ASAP rather than asking them to get quotes. I'm hoping it'd be smoother for the both of us doing it that way.
Edited by Regiment on Monday 30th July 18:04
Regiment said:
Not much damage appeared to have been done to the Kia Piccanto I hit, rear bumper looked like some of the clips had come lose and there was a little bit of wire popping out near the reg plate. My car looked more damaged, front bumper has been pushed in and the reg plate is crashed.
It was a slow speed accident but I wanted it done through insurance as less hassle, especially when it's with a work colleague so wanted it sorted ASAP rather than asking them to get quotes. I'm hoping it'd be smoother for the both of us doing it that way.
Sorry but I fail to see how it's less hassle. In a big crash it would of been yes, but in a low speed bump like that, you should of went through it with cash.It was a slow speed accident but I wanted it done through insurance as less hassle, especially when it's with a work colleague so wanted it sorted ASAP rather than asking them to get quotes. I'm hoping it'd be smoother for the both of us doing it that way.
Sounds like you done nothing but damaged the bumper on her Picanto. Few hundred quid would of sorted her out, and then you could of sorted out your car at a later date providing the damage wasn't dangerous.
Now you have told your insurer, instantly admitted fault, and could potentially have your car made a Cat D depending on the vehicle you have. On top of that, you will now be faced with a huge premium increase come renewal time, and the price will remain just as inflated for the next 5 years.
Sorry OP, but you have made the wrong decision imo.
NateWM said:
Sorry but I fail to see how it's less hassle. In a big crash it would of been yes, but in a low speed bump like that, you should of went through it with cash.
Sounds like you done nothing but damaged the bumper on her Picanto. Few hundred quid would of sorted her out, and then you could of sorted out your car at a later date providing the damage wasn't dangerous.
Now you have told your insurer, instantly admitted fault, and could potentially have your car made a Cat D depending on the vehicle you have. On top of that, you will now be faced with a huge premium increase come renewal time, and the price will remain just as inflated for the next 5 years.
Sorry OP, but you have made the wrong decision imo.
Something I'll need to keep in mind for next time, which there hopefully won't be. Going to do a quick quote on confused.com to see what the damage is.Sounds like you done nothing but damaged the bumper on her Picanto. Few hundred quid would of sorted her out, and then you could of sorted out your car at a later date providing the damage wasn't dangerous.
Now you have told your insurer, instantly admitted fault, and could potentially have your car made a Cat D depending on the vehicle you have. On top of that, you will now be faced with a huge premium increase come renewal time, and the price will remain just as inflated for the next 5 years.
Sorry OP, but you have made the wrong decision imo.
Regiment said:
Something I'll need to keep in mind for next time, which there hopefully won't be. Going to do a quick quote on confused.com to see what the damage is.
Confused might give you a rough idea (do one quote saying you have no claims and one saying you have made a claim), but if your renewal is a while off you are better off waiting as prices change constantly, especially during winter.Good luck!
NateWM said:
Regiment said:
Not much damage appeared to have been done to the Kia Piccanto I hit, rear bumper looked like some of the clips had come lose and there was a little bit of wire popping out near the reg plate. My car looked more damaged, front bumper has been pushed in and the reg plate is crashed.
It was a slow speed accident but I wanted it done through insurance as less hassle, especially when it's with a work colleague so wanted it sorted ASAP rather than asking them to get quotes. I'm hoping it'd be smoother for the both of us doing it that way.
Sorry but I fail to see how it's less hassle. In a big crash it would of been yes, but in a low speed bump like that, you should of went through it with cash.It was a slow speed accident but I wanted it done through insurance as less hassle, especially when it's with a work colleague so wanted it sorted ASAP rather than asking them to get quotes. I'm hoping it'd be smoother for the both of us doing it that way.
Sounds like you done nothing but damaged the bumper on her Picanto. Few hundred quid would of sorted her out, and then you could of sorted out your car at a later date providing the damage wasn't dangerous.
Now you have told your insurer, instantly admitted fault, and could potentially have your car made a Cat D depending on the vehicle you have. On top of that, you will now be faced with a huge premium increase come renewal time, and the price will remain just as inflated for the next 5 years.
Sorry OP, but you have made the wrong decision imo.
NateWM said:
Confused might give you a rough idea (do one quote saying you have no claims and one saying you have made a claim), but if your renewal is a while off you are better off waiting as prices change constantly, especially during winter.
Good luck!
Just did a quick quote, Admiral/Elephant is £490, last renewal for £450, with Swift Cover at £425. That's 2 years no claims, Elephant said I lose 2 years so down from 4, and an at fault accident causing £1000 of damage - figure I pulled out my arse. Doesnt sound too bad, just hoping no write offs are involved and no whiplash.Good luck!
NateWM said:
Sorry but I fail to see how it's less hassle. In a big crash it would of been yes, but in a low speed bump like that, you should of went through it with cash.
Sounds like you done nothing but damaged the bumper on her Picanto. Few hundred quid would of sorted her out, and then you could of sorted out your car at a later date providing the damage wasn't dangerous.
Now you have told your insurer, instantly admitted fault, and could potentially have your car made a Cat D depending on the vehicle you have. On top of that, you will now be faced with a huge premium increase come renewal time, and the price will remain just as inflated for the next 5 years.
Sorry OP, but you have made the wrong decision imo.
To be fair, without knowing the details, you don't know what 'would of/could of' (sic) sorted it for the best - for all you know the Picanto may cost £1000 to fix and OP's car the same again. The cat D comment is again something you are just guessing at.Sounds like you done nothing but damaged the bumper on her Picanto. Few hundred quid would of sorted her out, and then you could of sorted out your car at a later date providing the damage wasn't dangerous.
Now you have told your insurer, instantly admitted fault, and could potentially have your car made a Cat D depending on the vehicle you have. On top of that, you will now be faced with a huge premium increase come renewal time, and the price will remain just as inflated for the next 5 years.
Sorry OP, but you have made the wrong decision imo.
IMO do what you feel best OP, you have the fixed excess and you know that is what you'll pay - nothing more, nothing less. If she develops 'whiplash' even if you settled in cash she could still claim against you, at least this way the burden is off you. My first sentiment was fair play to you for admitting your guilt at causing it and trying to correct it the way you thought best. Had a few bumps as a youngster, one I paid myself, others that the insurers took care of.
NateWM said:
Sorry but I fail to see how it's less hassle. In a big crash it would of been yes, but in a low speed bump like that, you should of went through it with cash.
Sounds like you done nothing but damaged the bumper on her Picanto. Few hundred quid would of sorted her out, and then you could of sorted out your car at a later date providing the damage wasn't dangerous.
Now you have told your insurer, instantly admitted fault, and could potentially have your car made a Cat D depending on the vehicle you have. On top of that, you will now be faced with a huge premium increase come renewal time, and the price will remain just as inflated for the next 5 years.
Sorry OP, but you have made the wrong decision imo.
I dont agree, for a number of reasons :Sounds like you done nothing but damaged the bumper on her Picanto. Few hundred quid would of sorted her out, and then you could of sorted out your car at a later date providing the damage wasn't dangerous.
Now you have told your insurer, instantly admitted fault, and could potentially have your car made a Cat D depending on the vehicle you have. On top of that, you will now be faced with a huge premium increase come renewal time, and the price will remain just as inflated for the next 5 years.
Sorry OP, but you have made the wrong decision imo.
1, was op's fault and he hit a work colleague, imo not worth annoying someone you work with if its your fault.
2, the person who he hit, whilst the damage may appear superficial, could easily be a lot worse underneath, theres no picture to base your "few hundred" on
3, damage to ops car again could be expensive to repair.
4, op will have to inform his insurer anyway
5, cat d is another big assumption to make, i was under he impression if its your car repaired cat d doesnt apply.
sticks090460 said:
There seems to be an implication from someone on this thread that you wouldn't have to let your insurer know that you'd have a shunt by going the "cash" route. This is a very poor idea - and yes, I do work for an insurance company.
Out of interest, any particular reason why this is a bad idea?If I had a minor bump and it cost a hundred quid or so to put right and other party was happy for it to be dealt with by cash, whats the problem? Unless police were involved it wouldn't get recorded anywhere so how would the insurer ever find out?
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