My son hit a lamp post should we go thro insurance

[duk21]

My son(17) is on my insurance as a named driver and ran into a lamp post, the car is a write off (very old car) so wont be claiming for car but will we need to go thro insurance as council will probably being billing us for lamp post, tho lamp post not knocked over. Son only been driving for 5 weeks. Any advice please

[Ethel]

It's up to you - if you can afford to pay the council bill don't go through the insurance.

But you are obliged to inform the insurance company of all accidents whether you claim from them or not.

[Stone-Monkey]

I hit a lamp post when I was 18, and my (old) car was written off. I was billed by the council, and I think I paid that bill myself. I had 3rd party insurance.

I'm sure the council's bill will be way more than any excess you may be have to pay. If you ring your insurance helpline, they should be able to advise you.

[gouldc]

From experience, these bills are usually around �1000 if not higher.

You won't have to pay an excess if the claim is solely for the third party damage, although it will affect the no-claims bonus.

[duk21]

Many thanks for all your advice

[shnabz]

Im 19 years old and passed my test almost 1 year ago, i knocked over a lamp-post 2 weeks after my driving test and have just received a letter today from the company that replaced it. �5000. I can't believe it! I thought they had forgotten about it but now iam definately going to have to go through my insurance.