Insurance question
Author
Discussion

danipannn

Original Poster:

15 posts

33 months

Sunday 16th February 2025
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I’ve never had to make a claim before in my 30 years of driving, so please ignore my naivety.

Anyway, I was involved in an accident last night where the other driver hit me from behind at a set of traffic lights.
I have dash cam footage of the incident to prove it was 100% his fault.

However, I was driving my partner’s car and my fully comp policy on my own car states that I’m only 3rd party when driving another car with the owner’s permission.

My question is, whose insurer should I contact? My partner’s, my own or the other driver’s?

The damage seems to be minimal and the rear bumper has not been badly damaged.
From what I can see, there’s a long scratch line where the paint has cracked from the impact (it looks almost like someone keyed it).
If it means having to declare it on my insurance, then maybe I’d have to live with the “scratch”, as I don’t want my premiums affected, even though I have protected NCB.

Unfortunately, although I took the driver’s name, number and reg, I stupidly didn’t ask for his insurance company as it was 2am and I wanted to get home since I knew I had the dash cam footage.

Also, a quick google search brought up some non-fault claims company, is it worth going through one of these? Pros and cons of using them?

jdoubleu

335 posts

77 months

Sunday 16th February 2025
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You don't say it explicitly, but I'm guessing you are not a named driver on your partner's policy. If that's the case, I'm assuming your partner's insurance company won't care too much as it's not them who will have to deal with any costs if it comes to that. You'll need to let your insurance know as it's your policy that was covering you at the time. While it would be good if you had the other driver's insurance details, your insurer will be able to trace that, so as long as they are insured I'm sure it'll be fine.

BertBert

21,249 posts

240 months

Sunday 16th February 2025
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As you are not insured by your own insurance (or your partner's), you either have to go to the other party yourself and do the legwork or you might find an AMC to do it for you.

Obviously you'll have to tell your own insurance about the accident as and when your contract with them dictates.

strees

9 posts

273 months

Sunday 16th February 2025
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Simply contact the third parties insurer. If fault is admitted they will deal with it.

BertBert

21,249 posts

240 months

Sunday 16th February 2025
quotequote all
strees said:
Simply contact the third parties insurer. If fault is admitted they will deal with it.
Having first found them. First port of call is contacting the driver at fault.

TwigtheWonderkid

49,019 posts

179 months

Sunday 16th February 2025
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I've never understood why so many people end up driving their partner's car tpo cover on their DOC extension, when adding themselves as a named driver on their partner's car would probably cost next to nothing, or even might get their partner a discount!!! Unless they are much younger or have a poor driving record, it makes zero sense.

Dog Star

17,556 posts

197 months

Sunday 16th February 2025
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Errr … are you a named driver in your partners policy, OP?

If not and you are driving on the “driving other cars” part of your own policy I would check the wording…

I’ve previously seen exclusions where the DOC is not in effect for
- same household
- relatives
- same address.