davidnormanuk

A car crashed into me last night and we swapped details etc. He admitted he wasn't paying attention to the road and it was clearly his fault as I was waiting at a junction. Do I need to tell my insurance company about this aswell as him telling his? Also do I need to report this accident to the police so I can get a crime number for insurance purposes?

I am worried about the car going on the accident register even though it was only the tow bar and rear bumper that appears to have been damaged or even worse them writing the car off due to not being able to get new parts anymore.

I've never been in an accident before so thought I'd ask on here as my insurance company is closed at the min.

Cheers
Dave

C4llyT

Considered seeing about him giving you a few quid to sort it?
If you're worried about car being written off.
Also, this claim will put your insurance up, non fault accidents do.
So this is worth taking into consideration.
Whiplash money would cover these future premium increases.
Not condoning people claiming whiplash, but if some twat hits you and your insurance goes up due to it....
Although you can claim for future insurance increases, but don't know too well how to go about this.

Redeye Jedi

I had someone hit me in 2006, he admitted liability at the scene and I also had a witness in the car. Due to the value of the car I told him i was not going to pursue it and we agreed to leave it. However he has since claimed against me, to the tune of £780!!

Unfortunately for him, Ive got a witness at my disposal and I also have one hell of a broken wrist which was "agitated" in the incident so he could be in for a nice little start to the new year!!

Only regret for me, was not calling the police at the time! It was only a minor knock but did damage his car quite badly so if there were police at the scene, it would have been buttoned up a long time ago!!

BM08

i thought your insurance only goes up if you claim off your own insurance? he wouldnt be claiming anything if it wasnt his fault would he? its not like the person who hit him wants money is it

C4llyT

Police aren't interested unless someone's injured though

C4llyT

Been involved in an accident though, irrespective of liability.
No claim off him no, but has been in an accident - so more likely to be involved in accidents due to this.
Shit I know, but way they work it.

BM08

what happens if they force you to go and get it checked out? "errrm Mr smith theres fuck all wrong with you"

BM08

C4llyT

"Do you have any accidents, losses, thefts, incidents or claims in the last 3 years (regardless of fault)?"

Brother's went up after some foreign twat hit him.
Really does suck.
But like I said, you can factor future increases into the claim, but further than that I don't know..

xrsi

iTrader: (1)

if it has damaged the tow bar then there is every possibility that the force has been transmitted through the towbar into the chassis. i would get it checked as if you didnt claim then found out a little down the line you would be too late!

matts1

Inform your insurance, they will do the rest, tempting to sort it with a few quid off him.

But he may claim off you and it will look bad that you did not informyour insurance.

The whiplash debate is 50%50, some complain that it raise insurance premiums for us all, but I am also of the mind that ...
a) insurance firms should be stricter on these calims (solicitors do all but make you go for it)
b) you should get an inconvenience pay out if it is not your fault.

This may help put off false claims as you would get the money quicker and be more of a known figure, injury claims can take up to 3 years and no guarantee of what you will get.

tabetha

It does NOT increase your premium if you are found not to be at fault, though some dodgy insurers will put it up to start with, but then have to give you all the increase back.
IF, and that is the word there is no PI, personal injury there is no legal onus to inform the plod, but do so anyway.
Immediately inform your insurers as if you don't when he goes back on his word and claims against you and alleges that you were at fault, you will already look guilty, if you haven't told them so get in first.
I am of the opinion that if you have a PI, then claim for it, unless it is just a scratch or something daft like that.
YOU must get in there first with your insurer, what he ahs done is the oldest thing in the book, and he wil already have informed his insurer you hit him.
Don't worry about the car, no insurer can write it off, without your consent as it is your car/your property, they can say it is beyond economical repair, but you can do the repair yourself, or if only cosmetic for example leave it.
The last time I was rear ended, the car suffered £600 cosmetic damage, which they said was beyond economical repair, consisting of a dent only, they(other party insurers) paid me for the damage to the car which I keep forgetting to put right as it is such a small area that is hidden anyway.
tabetha

davidnormanuk

Did the car end up on the register though?

tabetha

Nope, it did not, as was not declared a total loss as it was repaired, well paid for anyway!!
tabetha

fish99

if the accident is damage only then you dont need to report the accident to the police. If any persons are are injured and police dont attend then you will need to report the accident to your nearest Police station within 24hrs of the accident. You wont be given a crime reference number as this is not a crime. Normally you are given an accident self reporting form to fill out and return.

There is no need for police to attend damage only accidents as long as the drivers have exhanged details. People think that if police will attend we will automatically so who was at fault, who was to blame etc.. thats not down to the Police to decide but the insurance companies.

tabetha

As you say injury only accidents need to be reported, but IMO best to report all, and if possible get the police there in case there is dispute afterwards about what was said where the cars were etc, you have some kind of witness that way.
Another good reason is for those that do not have insurance and say "I know nothing about it", the police can confirm the person was there, and check to see if yet another illegal driving with no license MOT/TAX/INSURANCE etc etc.
I think it is best to always try to get the police to attend, if only as witness to the other parties presence.
tabetha

david

My vectra got wrote off in March this year, totally non fault even though the bloke who hit me tried to say it wasn't . £8500 total claim and my renewal for January has just came through at £10 cheaper than this year.