insurance question - touching mirrors. attributing fault?

[behi_cdi]

Touched mirrors with another car today travelling in opposite direction. This car was straddling a speed bump in the middle of road, hence encroaching onto my lane. (but of course they can claim the same, that I was encroaching onto their lane, as there were two of them in their car - I was on my own). Result? no damage to her mirror, but my mirror has cracked casing.

Exchanged details, but I did not take pics of her wing mirror (nor did she off mine).

Questions:

1) Is it difficult to determine who was at fault?

2)I am assuming insurance will see this as a 50-50?

3) Will I lose my (protected) NCB if I put it through insurance?

4) even if I do not intend to claim, should I inform the insurance co of the incident (just in case the other party tries to put in a claim first or get the first word in first, which might jeopardise mine?)

5) The mirror case might be repairable (as the electrics and the mirror itself are fine). Should I just supergule and forget about it?

6) If I DO get the mirror repaired at my own cost (assuming it costs a few pounds for superglue), what steps can I take to ensure the other party has also dropped the matter? Will it be sufficient to phone them and let them know that as far as I'm concerned that is the end of the matter? Or do we both need to sign something official to say that we have no claims against each other?

Thanks and sorry if some questions are naive - this sort of thing has not happened to me before.

behi_cdi



>> Edited by behi_cdi on Sunday 7th May 14:27

>> Edited by behi_cdi on Sunday 7th May 14:27

>> Edited by behi_cdi on Sunday 7th May 14:28

[turbobloke]

If there's no damage to their mirror then, unless they play silly bu**ers it's up to you what to do. If you fit a new mirror go for the Ben Hur model

[mph999]

I had similar recently, apart from I had 2 witnesses.
To be honest though I didn't persue the matter, time lost and aggro. I could do without so just fixed myself. The other party was happy with this.

I would sugest that, as you had no witnesses, that this would be the best course of action.

Martin

[bigdods]

I had one last week, I just couldnt be bothered with teh hassle. WHole new mirror including motors, electrics and glass £20 on ebay and it was colour coded.

Vaxhall wanted £58 just for the glass !

[bluepolarbear]

behi_cdi said:

4) even if I do not intend to claim, should I inform the insurance co of the incident (just in case the other party tries to put in a claim first or get the first word in first, which might jeopardise mine?)

You have to declare all material facts to the insurer. Whether you claim or not you should declare the accident, if not, the insurer can rule the insurance invalid at a later date.

The gamble is whether they would ever find out.