insurance

[goldheart]

I borrowed a car at the weekend from a friend who owns a small repair garage with a few cars - which myself and partner were thinking of buying. This afternoon an old guy drove into the back of the car, whilst parked - literally wasnt looking - but he has admitted fault etc and I have his insurance details. The problem is (if it is a problem) however, we've just found out (although I rang my insurers anonymously) that he is only insured on my policy to drive my car, and NOT others - I thought he had the same cover as me as he is a named driver. Do I need to ring my insurance company? I dont want to lose my no claims etc - also my boyfriend is telling me to ring them and let them know what has happened but I thought that it would be our friend who owns the car that contacts the insurance company and all they would need is proof that I am insured and the insurance details of the guy who caused it. After all, the car was parked at the time, it is taxed and insured, but I never parked it there... I would be lying to say that I parked it, unless they dont ask me? I dunno what to do, I feel pressured!! help!!

[Loosehead]

There should be no question of losing no claims you are claiming of the insurance co of the old guy. You are supposed to report it even if you are not claiming. I'm a bit unclear but are you saying that the Car that was hit belong's to your friend who owns the Garage and he is insured only as a named driver on your policy??? Sorry if I've misunderstood. Your insurance probably covers you for driving "another car not belonging to you etc etc..." So you are insured,

[goldheart]

I shouldve been more clearer, I didnt read my question back to myself before posting!

My boyfriend - who was driving the car parked it up. My boyfriend is insured on my policy as a named driver  - we both assumed the policy would then also covers him to drive other cars like me, but it doesnt. It only covers me to drive other insured cars, i.e. friends cars that are independently insured by them - as are most policies. So, as he was the one who parked it it, he is not really covered. But the accident was on the parked car, and not whilst he was driving it.

The car belongs to a friend who owns this garage and he lent it to us to see if we liked it before buying... so my boyfriend told me to tell my insurers what has happened but leave out the bit where I tell them where it was him who parked it up... so that is what Im in a quandry about. Im lying to tell them I was driving it, but I could just tell them about the accident and that it was parked and they probably wont even asked who parked it. But I think they are just going to tell me that it is nothing to do with them, but the insurers to who the car belongs to, and I should probably just give them a copy of my insurance? I dunno?!!

[Loosehead]

I see, don't volunteer any info just say it was parked and if they ask who parked then say you parked it. Go through the motions with your own insurance company they will want to record all the details but if you make it clear that you are not claiming then your NCB should be fine. Do not even mention your BF especially to the old Guy's insurance co. Insurance companies will use any technicality to welsh on paying.

[goldheart]

Great, thanks... but... it was my boyfriend that obviously dealt with it i.e. got the details and spoke to the old guy. I suppose the old guy will make a statement to his insurers and them in turn will talk to the other insurance company (who quite frankly wont care who dealt with the situation as long as they're getting the pay out).... I could say I was too upset to look!?

Thanks v. much... I just hope "our friend" sees it that way and will make a claim from his garage insurance!!

[goldheart]

meant to add, I wasnt there at the time, im at work!! I really didnt think before typing today!

[jake-the-peg]

It should make absolutely no difference who parked the car, nobody was in control of the car and it is as much the fault of the other driver as if he had collided with a stationary skip!

If the car had been untaxed or without an MOT things might have gotten tricky.

If the other guy tells his insurance company that he collided with a parked car and that nobody was hurt I strongly suspect that they'll just put it in the "Not worth arguing about" pile and get on with fighting over claims that they might win.

Loosehead's right just tell them what you have to tell them and no more as long as the guy's not got fake plates and given you a dodgy ID (and it doesn't sound like that sort of case) you should be fine.

[Hammer]

Here are the facts as I see them.

1. Your car was parked and nobody was in it.

2. The old codger hit your car and admitted liability.

The insurance company won't bother asking any more questions, case closed. You have no need to worry.

[Tim Baxter]

Just a warning.  Sorry to introduce a bit of disharmony here but there is legal requirement to report this to the police.  'If owing to the presence of a motor vehicle on a road damage is caused etc.....It doesn't matter that there was no injury, your old bloke might report it......be careful.

[jake-the-peg]

Tim are you sure about that? I thought that the law was changed a few years back. I'm pretty sure you only have to report an accident to the police if there was an injury involved or the details of the drivers cannot be ascertained

 http://www.warwickshire.police.uk/crimeandsafety/roadsafety/reportinganrtc

[goldheart]

Thanks everyone, just to let you know. I rang my insurance company and told them what has happened. However I am only insured to drive other vehicles at 3rd party only, so as the accident is someone else's fault, they are instructing a solicitor on my behalf to recover the costs to my car.

I cant ring my insurers back up now because we're so busy at work my boss is gonna get funny with me being on the phone for ages - but I forgot to ask them if this is gonna affect my no claims bonus?  do you know?

Ta

[jake-the-peg]

It is a no claim bonus - if they do not have to pay a claim against them then your bonus should not be affected.

[Hammer]

Agreed, it's not your fault and your insurance aren't paying out, so you won't lose your bonus.

[goldheart]

ok, the saga continues - ive been in the loo for ages cos Im a wreck!!

I have a suspicion (but wont know until tomorrow for sure) that our friend who owns the car we borrowed MAY not be insured indepently - or through his garage. My boyfriend seems to get stressed out when I keep asking if he's got his mate's insurance details yet, and he says, "yes, yes, he's sorting it..."

So,  being paranoid and all that, I keep worrying what can happen if he hasnt insurance for it?

My insurance company havent even asked, I told them that I borrowed it through this guy and his garage while my car was in for having work done on it (which is true) and also to see if we wanted to buy it/see if we liked it. So maybe they will just progress this without having to see the owner's insurance because the fault is not mine or his? What dya reckon guys?

Ta

[Loosehead]

The car was parked, no one is in control, if it is not insured by the owner that's his problem. I suggest you put the owner in contact with the insurers of the old guy and let them handle it, it's not your problem. The claim should not be affected.

[goldheart]

My insurers are progressing it i.e. getting a solicitor to recover the costs etc as its not my fault. My renewel was in March and I left the box that asked if I wanted to protect my claims, ticked... a bit of luck - however, it shouldnt make a difference as the guy has admitted he is at fault so his insurance will probably just pay the solicitor?  Its good to talk to people with reason, my bfriend is just too stressed - keeps telling me to stop going on about it!!

Thanks everyone!

[Otrere]

I agree, its nothing to do with your insurance and your no claims bonus will not be affected. The only way your no claims bonus would be lost if is you had run into someone else and your no claims bonus was not protected.

This old guy is completely at fault for running into a parked car and he has admitted liability. Its the old guy's insurance company that will put the money up to repair the car that the old guy ran into. For all the insurance company know, it could have been the guy who owns the garage that parked the car there!!! It could have been me that parked it! They don't have a clue and it doesn't matter cause the only person at fault is the old bloke.

Don't stress so much.

PS Wouldn't recommend you buying that car now you know its been involved in an accident!