Car insurance advice

[vkcs22]

Hi all

I was recently involved in a non fault car accident. ( I was at the traffic lights when the car behind, failed to stop). The police came to the scene and the guy admitted liability.

When I informed my insurance company, I told them not to open a claim on my own policy as I would be claiming off the third party's insurance company directly. For some reason, they have opened a claim on my policy.

I have been liaising with the the third party's insurance directly ( they have arranged for courtesy car etc) and have just declared my car a write off last week. They have also offered a silly amount.

I want to know where do I stand legally if I deal with them directly? I'm assuming I won't have to pay the excess on my own policy as it is a non fault accident and have been liaising with the Third Party's insurance company since the accident and claiming the cost off them.

Where do I stand with regards to my own insurance company?

If you ask, "why don't you let your insurance company deal with this?" Well, I was thinking that if I do, then this will affect my no claims bonus and I will have to pay any excess on my policy. Am I right? (Why should I be penalised for someone else fault?) And on the terms and condition of my own policy is states "market" value. Will I have to accept what ever value they place on my car? Whereas if I claim off the third party directly, this can be disputed?

What are the pros and cons of going through my insurance?
Can I "deal" with the third party's insurance company directly? Legally where do I stand?

Thanks and sorry for all the questions.

[Jakg]

You won't have an excess to pay on your policy as your policy isn't paying.

You won't lose your no claims (because your not claiming from them either way), but you will have to declare a non-fault accident which will probably increase your premium (irrespective of if your insurers are or aren't involved - it still happened).