Been a plonker - minor car incident and insurance query
Discussion
Whilst commuting to work this morning, I accidentally tapped the back of a vehicle in-front of me.
We were at a junction, the lady in the vehicle I tapped accelerated out (quite fast), realised she hadn't looked properly and slammed the brakes on. In the split second that I followed her, looked right to check for traffic, and looked back, I realised what she had done and applied the brakes. I ended up collecting the back of her car at a very low speed. Due to the design of our cars, my front bumper (07 Mazda) went under a lip in her rear bumper (07 Astra) and scratched it.
Excuses aside, it was my fault. We both pulled into a lay-by down the road, I apologised profusely and we exchanged details. She actually apologised to me as she said she had 'gone for it' then backed out. It was all very amicable.
I asked her what she wanted to do and she said she'll pop the car to Vauxhall, see what it will cost to fix and let me know. She said she didn't see any reason to involve insurance.
So, I've checked my policy document and it states this:
You must tell us before the next renewal date (or at the time you
are making any of the changes already mentioned) if you or anyone
covered by this policy have:
• had any accidents, thefts or losses (whether a claim was reported or not
and regardless of blame);
Therefore, if she doesn't involve her insurer and just says it'll cost x amount to fix and this is reasonable, I don't have to tell my insurer until renewal time or the next time I have to ring them to change anything?
I am a little worried that if I don't say anything soon and she changes her mind and pursues insurance, I'll be taken to task for this. I'm also aware that what people say at the roadside can differ greatly to what they then do at a later date.
Does anyone think a quick call to my insurer today to inform them of everything is a good idea? I can say it was a very minor incident, send some pics over and mention that at the moment, we aren't involving them.
There really isn't a lot of damage (just a scrape), but I don't want this to end up with injury claims etc.
A few pics below of minor scrape on my car:
Thanks for any advice.
I feel like a right tit.
We were at a junction, the lady in the vehicle I tapped accelerated out (quite fast), realised she hadn't looked properly and slammed the brakes on. In the split second that I followed her, looked right to check for traffic, and looked back, I realised what she had done and applied the brakes. I ended up collecting the back of her car at a very low speed. Due to the design of our cars, my front bumper (07 Mazda) went under a lip in her rear bumper (07 Astra) and scratched it.
Excuses aside, it was my fault. We both pulled into a lay-by down the road, I apologised profusely and we exchanged details. She actually apologised to me as she said she had 'gone for it' then backed out. It was all very amicable.
I asked her what she wanted to do and she said she'll pop the car to Vauxhall, see what it will cost to fix and let me know. She said she didn't see any reason to involve insurance.
So, I've checked my policy document and it states this:
You must tell us before the next renewal date (or at the time you
are making any of the changes already mentioned) if you or anyone
covered by this policy have:
• had any accidents, thefts or losses (whether a claim was reported or not
and regardless of blame);
Therefore, if she doesn't involve her insurer and just says it'll cost x amount to fix and this is reasonable, I don't have to tell my insurer until renewal time or the next time I have to ring them to change anything?
I am a little worried that if I don't say anything soon and she changes her mind and pursues insurance, I'll be taken to task for this. I'm also aware that what people say at the roadside can differ greatly to what they then do at a later date.
Does anyone think a quick call to my insurer today to inform them of everything is a good idea? I can say it was a very minor incident, send some pics over and mention that at the moment, we aren't involving them.
There really isn't a lot of damage (just a scrape), but I don't want this to end up with injury claims etc.
A few pics below of minor scrape on my car:
Thanks for any advice.
I feel like a right tit.
Vauxhall franchisee will likely say a damaged bumper needs replacing, paint etc. The fact that she is going there for advice suggests she is not too knowledgeable about cars and will believe what they tell her.
You are correct that you don't need to notify your insurance until renewal. When you do, it's likely you will have an increase in premium due to increase in risk.
You are correct that you don't need to notify your insurance until renewal. When you do, it's likely you will have an increase in premium due to increase in risk.
I can see this ending up going through insurance.
For a tiny scratch like that there is no need to go directly to a vauxhall main dealer and as someone has already said they will quote a ridiculous price.
Looks like it just needs a respray at most which any decent bodyshop should be able to do but you're going to get shafted with a silly quote.
For a tiny scratch like that there is no need to go directly to a vauxhall main dealer and as someone has already said they will quote a ridiculous price.
Looks like it just needs a respray at most which any decent bodyshop should be able to do but you're going to get shafted with a silly quote.
Joeguard1990 said:
I can see this ending up going through insurance.
For a tiny scratch like that there is no need to go directly to a vauxhall main dealer and as someone has already said they will quote a ridiculous price.
Looks like it just needs a respray at most which any decent bodyshop should be able to do but you're going to get shafted with a silly quote.
Indeed. I shall be very annoyed if it gets silly, but what can I do? I think I'm going to call my insurer and prep them. I'd much rather do that and know I've done everything I can before the potential silliness starts.For a tiny scratch like that there is no need to go directly to a vauxhall main dealer and as someone has already said they will quote a ridiculous price.
Looks like it just needs a respray at most which any decent bodyshop should be able to do but you're going to get shafted with a silly quote.
The pictures aren't the best, but I really did struggle to see much more than a tiny scratch on her car. It doesn't even warrant a bodyshop visit for mine. It'll probably polish out it's so tiny.
I wouldn't notify your insurers until you get response from the lady who's car you hit.
VX might outsource it, and they may not want you to bend over for it.
It might be worth asking her to go and see an independent bodyshop too, to get a difference in quotes. Bear in mind, not to come across as dictating as it won't end well.
I don't see why that'll need to go through insurance, I can barely see the damage on both cars. I think that genuinely will T-Cut out.
VX might outsource it, and they may not want you to bend over for it.
It might be worth asking her to go and see an independent bodyshop too, to get a difference in quotes. Bear in mind, not to come across as dictating as it won't end well.
I don't see why that'll need to go through insurance, I can barely see the damage on both cars. I think that genuinely will T-Cut out.
hornetrider said:
Hooli said:
I can't work out which smear in the dirt is the damage on the Astra tbh.
Same here. If I were the OP I'd be prepared for 'sore neckitis' to rear it's ugly head sharpish though.
My biggest worry is that she'll head off, have a think and come back with the sore neck stuff.
The OP said this
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