Portuguese man o CRASH....
Discussion
So there i was bimbling along in my Vivaro campervan, happy as a camper so to speak. 4th in a line of 4 on a regular road doing 80kph. We all drove past a junction with Jose bursting to join us....Jose was 75. He soon caught up to me on a straight bit and joined the line. But....and you knew there was one, he was in a hurry and before i knew it, he was filling my left hand mirror...nose of the car just behind the wife's door. The road by now was curving left and 3 cars appeared coming towards us. Before I could say MERDE.. he slammed into me. We stopped pulled over, I called the GNR. I don't speak Portuguese and the 2 cops didn't English. Fortunately a mate does so he spoke to the cops...who really didn't give a s
t. Filled out their form and plod 1 said to call their copshop in 5 days for a "decision". Of what I know nothing. My dilemma.
Do I ignore it....Do I report it to my insurance...I have a £500 deductible....plus I was a naughty boy on my motorbike last year and got 6 points....dare I risk a claim. ....DAMAGE...a few scrapes down the left. No gouges. I have a great bodyshop near me, I can't see repairs going anywhere near £1000, more £500. Thoughts.......Bom Dia.
t. Filled out their form and plod 1 said to call their copshop in 5 days for a "decision". Of what I know nothing. My dilemma.Do I ignore it....Do I report it to my insurance...I have a £500 deductible....plus I was a naughty boy on my motorbike last year and got 6 points....dare I risk a claim. ....DAMAGE...a few scrapes down the left. No gouges. I have a great bodyshop near me, I can't see repairs going anywhere near £1000, more £500. Thoughts.......Bom Dia.
ChatGPT did quite a good job of turning this into something understandable
⸻
Summary of Events
• You were driving your Vivaro campervan in a line of 4 vehicles at ~80 kph.
• A 75-year-old driver (“José”) joined the line after a junction.
• He then tried to overtake you on a left-hand bend just as oncoming cars appeared.
• To avoid a head-on, he moved back in — but hit your van’s left side in the process.
• You stopped, called the GNR (Portuguese police).
• They filled out a report but didn’t explain what happens next, just said to call in 5 days.
• Damage to your van = light scrapes (probably cosmetic, ~£500 repair).
• You have a £500 deductible (excess) and some recent driving points, so you’re wary of claiming.
⸻
What’s Going On in Portugal
The GNR report is essentially a police accident declaration.
In a few days, it’ll show who they believe was at fault (if they bother deciding at all).
You can usually request a copy of that report — it’s worth doing.
If they rule José at fault, your insurer can pursue his insurance for the cost, possibly meaning no loss or excess to you.
⸻
Your Options
Option 1: Wait and see
• Call the GNR in 5 days and ask for the report number or “auto de ocorrência”.
• If José was found at fault, report it to your insurer as a non-fault claim.
• You might get the repair paid without affecting your premium (depends on the insurers’ agreement).
Option 2: Handle privately
• If the damage really is light (£500 or less), you could pay your local body shop and skip insurance.
• The risk: if José later reports you to his insurer or the GNR blames you, you might look like you didn’t report it.
Option 3: Notify your insurer anyway (recommended)
• Tell them for information only that there was an incident in Portugal, and you’re awaiting the police report.
• This covers you if José’s insurer later files a claim — otherwise, you could be penalized for “non-disclosure.”
• You can always decide not to proceed with a repair claim if it’s cheaper privately.
⸻
What I’d Do If It Were Me
1. Get the GNR report in 5 days — that’s key.
2. Take photos of all the damage now (and of the scene if possible).
3. Tell your insurer just to log the incident, not to open a claim yet.
4. Once you know fault allocation and repair estimate, decide whether to claim.
Given your excess and minor damage, you’ll likely pay roughly the same privately — but informing your insurer protects you if José tries to shift the blame later.
⸻
Would you like me to help you draft a short message or call script (in English + a bit of Portuguese) for when you ring the GNR for the report?
⸻
Summary of Events
• You were driving your Vivaro campervan in a line of 4 vehicles at ~80 kph.
• A 75-year-old driver (“José”) joined the line after a junction.
• He then tried to overtake you on a left-hand bend just as oncoming cars appeared.
• To avoid a head-on, he moved back in — but hit your van’s left side in the process.
• You stopped, called the GNR (Portuguese police).
• They filled out a report but didn’t explain what happens next, just said to call in 5 days.
• Damage to your van = light scrapes (probably cosmetic, ~£500 repair).
• You have a £500 deductible (excess) and some recent driving points, so you’re wary of claiming.
⸻
What’s Going On in Portugal
The GNR report is essentially a police accident declaration.
In a few days, it’ll show who they believe was at fault (if they bother deciding at all).
You can usually request a copy of that report — it’s worth doing.
If they rule José at fault, your insurer can pursue his insurance for the cost, possibly meaning no loss or excess to you.
⸻
Your Options
Option 1: Wait and see
• Call the GNR in 5 days and ask for the report number or “auto de ocorrência”.
• If José was found at fault, report it to your insurer as a non-fault claim.
• You might get the repair paid without affecting your premium (depends on the insurers’ agreement).
Option 2: Handle privately
• If the damage really is light (£500 or less), you could pay your local body shop and skip insurance.
• The risk: if José later reports you to his insurer or the GNR blames you, you might look like you didn’t report it.
Option 3: Notify your insurer anyway (recommended)
• Tell them for information only that there was an incident in Portugal, and you’re awaiting the police report.
• This covers you if José’s insurer later files a claim — otherwise, you could be penalized for “non-disclosure.”
• You can always decide not to proceed with a repair claim if it’s cheaper privately.
⸻
What I’d Do If It Were Me
1. Get the GNR report in 5 days — that’s key.
2. Take photos of all the damage now (and of the scene if possible).
3. Tell your insurer just to log the incident, not to open a claim yet.
4. Once you know fault allocation and repair estimate, decide whether to claim.
Given your excess and minor damage, you’ll likely pay roughly the same privately — but informing your insurer protects you if José tries to shift the blame later.
⸻
Would you like me to help you draft a short message or call script (in English + a bit of Portuguese) for when you ring the GNR for the report?
Well obviously I thank Vaud. As to the rest...meh.
I have a friend who speaks passable Portuguese...I am going to wait till tomorrow and ask them to call the copshop and find out wassup BUT its me against a local!
I was thinking if they say knock 4 knock or whatever I would leave it and not tell anyone .
Hey ho
I have a friend who speaks passable Portuguese...I am going to wait till tomorrow and ask them to call the copshop and find out wassup BUT its me against a local!
I was thinking if they say knock 4 knock or whatever I would leave it and not tell anyone .
Hey ho
DSMSMR said:
Well obviously I thank Vaud. As to the rest...meh.
I have a friend who speaks passable Portuguese...I am going to wait till tomorrow and ask them to call the copshop and find out wassup BUT its me against a local!
I was thinking if they say knock 4 knock or whatever I would leave it and not tell anyone .
Hey ho
You can use Chat GPT to write the english version and a portuguese version, then take a phone with Google Translate app installed to the police station. They will probably have someone that speaks English/ the google translations will be close enough for your purposes.I have a friend who speaks passable Portuguese...I am going to wait till tomorrow and ask them to call the copshop and find out wassup BUT its me against a local!
I was thinking if they say knock 4 knock or whatever I would leave it and not tell anyone .
Hey ho
So 5 days plus have come and gone...getting some beach time near Malaga so called my mate asked to make some phone calls. Called cop shop. Know nothing, called the next district GNR nothing, despite a form number, cops name and number.....its 2025 and STILL a supposed modern European country is so backward. Will wait till I get home in 2 weeks then contact the embassy in Lisbon....a farce
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