Insurance claim - what are my chances?
Discussion
Hi,
Had my first accident today. Van in the lane to my left at a roundabout decided he didn't want the left lane, or even my lane but the one to my right & cut across the front of me & just clipped my car with a big bar thing across the back of the van which ripped off my bumper.
I pulled up on an island on the outside of the roundabout, the van driver carried on around the roundabout & came back around & stopped. He was apologetic & immediately gave me a phone number. I realised I wasn't going to get very far talking it through as there was a language barrier so he was on his way fairly quickly but we both took photos of each other's vehicles.
Phoned insurance, they've pretty much told me without witnesses, there were a few but didn't stop which I don't blame them for as it was a very busy junction, & without dashcam we are relying on him admitting liability. I am presuming the chances of this are slim to none when his insurance company (he is insured) contacts him.
My Insurance company rang the number he gave, it didn't work. I tried it, it didn't work. By chance, I had saved the contact & it came up in Whatsapp, messaged him & he did reply.
Long story short, he asked me to avoid insurance, but it was too late by then so explained this & the fact I think it will be an expensive repair. He then explained how he is on his way to the airport as a relative has died so will be away for a while & then asked for the accident location & a copy of any dashcam footage...which I presume was his way of asking if there is any.
Anyone have any useful suggestions/advice please? I think I'm fighting a losing battle & it will just be his 'word' against mine but just thought I'd aks you knowledgeable lot on here!
Thanks,
Ben
PS. Anyone got an M140i front bumper in white lying around!?
Had my first accident today. Van in the lane to my left at a roundabout decided he didn't want the left lane, or even my lane but the one to my right & cut across the front of me & just clipped my car with a big bar thing across the back of the van which ripped off my bumper.
I pulled up on an island on the outside of the roundabout, the van driver carried on around the roundabout & came back around & stopped. He was apologetic & immediately gave me a phone number. I realised I wasn't going to get very far talking it through as there was a language barrier so he was on his way fairly quickly but we both took photos of each other's vehicles.
Phoned insurance, they've pretty much told me without witnesses, there were a few but didn't stop which I don't blame them for as it was a very busy junction, & without dashcam we are relying on him admitting liability. I am presuming the chances of this are slim to none when his insurance company (he is insured) contacts him.
My Insurance company rang the number he gave, it didn't work. I tried it, it didn't work. By chance, I had saved the contact & it came up in Whatsapp, messaged him & he did reply.
Long story short, he asked me to avoid insurance, but it was too late by then so explained this & the fact I think it will be an expensive repair. He then explained how he is on his way to the airport as a relative has died so will be away for a while & then asked for the accident location & a copy of any dashcam footage...which I presume was his way of asking if there is any.
Anyone have any useful suggestions/advice please? I think I'm fighting a losing battle & it will just be his 'word' against mine but just thought I'd aks you knowledgeable lot on here!
Thanks,
Ben
PS. Anyone got an M140i front bumper in white lying around!?
benm3evo said:
Hi,
Had my first accident today. Van in the lane to my left at a roundabout decided he didn't want the left lane, or even my lane but the one to my right & cut across the front of me & just clipped my car with a big bar thing across the back of the van which ripped off my bumper.
I pulled up on an island on the outside of the roundabout, the van driver carried on around the roundabout & came back around & stopped. He was apologetic & immediately gave me a phone number. I realised I wasn't going to get very far talking it through as there was a language barrier so he was on his way fairly quickly but we both took photos of each other's vehicles.
Phoned insurance, they've pretty much told me without witnesses, there were a few but didn't stop which I don't blame them for as it was a very busy junction, & without dashcam we are relying on him admitting liability. I am presuming the chances of this are slim to none when his insurance company (he is insured) contacts him.
My Insurance company rang the number he gave, it didn't work. I tried it, it didn't work. By chance, I had saved the contact & it came up in Whatsapp, messaged him & he did reply.
Long story short, he asked me to avoid insurance, but it was too late by then so explained this & the fact I think it will be an expensive repair. He then explained how he is on his way to the airport as a relative has died so will be away for a while & then asked for the accident location & a copy of any dashcam footage...which I presume was his way of asking if there is any.
Anyone have any useful suggestions/advice please? I think I'm fighting a losing battle & it will just be his 'word' against mine but just thought I'd aks you knowledgeable lot on here!
Thanks,
Ben
PS. Anyone got an M140i front bumper in white lying around!?
Is the car insured in his name? If it is let the insurers battle the outcome out it's why you pay them. Had my first accident today. Van in the lane to my left at a roundabout decided he didn't want the left lane, or even my lane but the one to my right & cut across the front of me & just clipped my car with a big bar thing across the back of the van which ripped off my bumper.
I pulled up on an island on the outside of the roundabout, the van driver carried on around the roundabout & came back around & stopped. He was apologetic & immediately gave me a phone number. I realised I wasn't going to get very far talking it through as there was a language barrier so he was on his way fairly quickly but we both took photos of each other's vehicles.
Phoned insurance, they've pretty much told me without witnesses, there were a few but didn't stop which I don't blame them for as it was a very busy junction, & without dashcam we are relying on him admitting liability. I am presuming the chances of this are slim to none when his insurance company (he is insured) contacts him.
My Insurance company rang the number he gave, it didn't work. I tried it, it didn't work. By chance, I had saved the contact & it came up in Whatsapp, messaged him & he did reply.
Long story short, he asked me to avoid insurance, but it was too late by then so explained this & the fact I think it will be an expensive repair. He then explained how he is on his way to the airport as a relative has died so will be away for a while & then asked for the accident location & a copy of any dashcam footage...which I presume was his way of asking if there is any.
Anyone have any useful suggestions/advice please? I think I'm fighting a losing battle & it will just be his 'word' against mine but just thought I'd aks you knowledgeable lot on here!
Thanks,
Ben
PS. Anyone got an M140i front bumper in white lying around!?
Bit strange the number didn't work but WhatsApp did.
fourstardan said:
Is the car insured in his name? If it is let the insurers battle the outcome out it's why you pay them.
Bit strange the number didn't work but WhatsApp did.
Not sure, asked his name but couldn't understand. In hindsight, I know I should have been more thorough. Learnt some lessons today. My insurance company have just said the Van is insured, I guess that doesn't mean he was! Bit strange the number didn't work but WhatsApp did.
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