Car Insurance

[derek-33]

i cant find an answer to this in a search engine,
do you need to carry your car insurance details in your car or on your mobile, i do, but if another car hits you and they dont have them to give to you is that a police matter , i thought you had by law to give details to each other but what if they have insurance but cant remember any details as they dont have them in the car or on their mobile as a pdf or photo,what should you do then

[spathiphyllum]

No.

If you hit another car, get name address number plate and phone number. Your insurance will find theirs.

If they don't stop, then it is a police issue.

"i thought you had by law to give details to each other"

Yes, you do. You also have 24 hours to report the accident to the police if you fail to stop. Failing to stop, and failing to report the accident are two separate issues.

The only other time you'd call the police is if after the accident, if a car is stranded, or if someone is hurt or drunk.

[derek-33]

ok i suppose im thinking of days gone by when these details / licence / mot and insurance were not all on dvla system now the police have it all available

[spathiphyllum]

Yes, correct.

The most important piece of information to collect is the number plate of the car(s) involved if an accident occurs.

The second best piece of info you can get is a name, and then an address. Colour make and model of car are also useful to jot down.

All this info helps your insurance company find the third party. The insurance company then deal with everything whilst keeping you updated on what you need to do or pay.

[derek-33]

thanks, i have been driving for 47 years (claim free) just was not sure about the legality of what docs you should carry ,none now it seems

[spathiphyllum]

You should carry around the documentation for your car, such as the log book and the vehicle handbook. Any additional documentation will be a benefit if needed.

I like to keep a pen in the car but in the age of technology you can make notes on a mobile.

[Prudie]

I would never keep any documentation like that in the car

[spathiphyllum]

You should always keep your log book in the car as far as i'm aware.


I would never keep my V5C in my car. Because you need that if your car is stolen. If it's in your car, then ur stumped.

[Prudie]

V5C is the log book?....

[Cloverjo]

I thought the V5C was the new name for what we used to call ‘the logbook’.

[spathiphyllum]

Ah, yes, correct.


I was thinking of the service book.

[spathiphyllum]

Yes the V5C is the 'logbook'.

[teacake44]

You don't need to keep any documents in your car if you are road legal. Everything can now be traced by just giving your name, address, phone number, and reg of your car.

[teacake44]

Anyone who says they can't remember their car insurance company, and that's all they need to remember, you will find are telling pies, and 9 times out of 10 won't have any. Log book, or whatever they call it now , is not proof of ownership by law, but most times it is the owner .

[spathiphyllum]

you don't need it(their insurance company). All you need is a vehicle reg and your insurance should be able to find out who insures that registration. But i mean.. as all the facts you can get will be beneficial.

[dannyk13]

Derek- all you need to know can be found here:-
https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/road-safety/car-accident/

[derek-33]

thanks danny ive seen this but what about this from that web page
"If another person has been injured, you must produce your certificate of insurance if anyone at the scene has reasonable grounds to request it." which contradicts that fact you dont have to have the certificate in the car or copy of it and how many dont have details of it on hand

[derek-33]

i have mine as a pdf on mobile btw

[spathiphyllum]

That's interesting Derek. I've not read that before.

Not many people keep their insurance details in the car.

[dannyk13]

Derek.You have twenty four hours to report the accident and produce a certificate of insurance to a police constable or at a police station.
(This applies only if a person, other than yourself is injured in the accident.)

[dannyk13]

Confirmation of the above is contained in a Road Traffic Act:-
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/section/170