Reversed into someone - Insurance

[willchr2004]

A few days ago i reversed into someone. It was slowely and the damage slight. Probably nothing more than a suction job. The lady took my insyrance details but i dont want to get anything covered on insurance. Im a new driver and I dont want insurance prices to soar for me so can I chose to not have it aid for under insurance, because if its £100 or something, Im happy to pay. The lady has my details, what happens next?

Thanks,
Chris

[suzie1]

Have you got the lady's number, phone her and say that you are willing to pay, and she can get a quote on the job and let you know what it costs to repair, or you can get it repaired through a trusted repair centre, just tell her where to go and pay them. i know what you mean, insurances can go through the roof if not careful, more so new drivers get it bad. good luck

[Buenchico]

The terms of your insurance policy require you to notify your insurers of any accident even if you don't intend to claim on that policy. The other driver's policy will have a similar condition. So it would be best to contact your insurers because, even if you don't, the other driver's insurance company will pass on the information anyway.

Contact the other driver and ask her to tell you, as soon as possible, what she's been quoted for repairing the damage. If you're happy to pay from your own pocket, pay her immediately (ensuring that you get a receipt for your payment, stating that it's in full and final settlement of any claim resulting from the accident).

Be prepared for a nasty shock when you get the quote. I've only ever been involved in one 'fault' accident. It looked as if the damage to the other driver's vehicle would cost well under £100 to fix, so I told him that I'd pay him directly. But he got three quotes, with the cheapest being about £800, so I decided to claim on my insurance!

Chris

[willchr2004]

I called her a few hours after offering to pay any damages because insurance issues can be messy. She said she would consult her husband... fair enough i say. The dents have caused no chips or scratches to paint or bodywork, im sure it wil be as simple as suction. I struggled to find the marks in the first place when i stepped out the car, but who knows.

[factorfiction]

Sorry but I think you should be prepared for a bill of a lot more than £100. I think it's likely to be nearer £500 and the driver may seek the opportunity to get some other dents and scratches dealt with at the same time and add it to the bill.
Was the driver in the car at the time? If so you may find you get a personal injury whiplash type claim too- easily £1000.
So get all the facts first. And if you do pay it yourself make sure it's documented as Full & Final Settlement of All liabilities.
And as the above poster said, you are still obliged to notify your insurer and mention this on applications at renewal time.
Welcome to the expensive world of owning a car!

[alavahalf]

A friend of mine picked up her brand new Honda Jazz last week...she only had it for one day before it received a trolley ding ..(the paint was'nt damaged) .. £390 to remove the little dent...!

Look at it from her point of view ... you might say you will pay for it ... she gets it repaired, and then you wont pay.
If she lets the insurance deal with it, there's less effort involved for her.

Alternatively she gets a quote ( there is no obligation for her to search round for the best quote) and presents you with the bill ...you pay it .. she keeps the cash and does'nt bother repairing the minimal damage.
Either way you are on a loser.

....and it is'nt as simple as sticking a suction cup on it and pulling it out ... that is an option if you are pulling out a larger area of damage out before filling and painting.
If filler, paint and labour are involved..... all of a sudden your thought of £100 has'nt even paid for the hire car.

[willchr2004]

i love my life :)

...she was in the car, but i was probably going no more than 1, maybe 2 miles an hour, damage was very slight, no chance of her claiming whip lash.
What do i do from now? Do i wait a week or so and assume i will recieve notice from my insurance or notice from the lady about cost? For now its a waiting game yes?

[boxtops]

As others have said, you need to tell your insurance company even if you are hoping to pay it yourself - don't wait the couple of weeks, it won't look good. You can tell them that it may or may not be a claim, but you need to tell them. Read your small print!

[willchr2004]

il get on it today... :(
Thanks for all your help guys. Il post how it went

[TWR]

No whiplash! do not bank on it Chris, this is 2010, a lot of people think about money they do not give a sht about you or your Insurance.

[willchr2004]

As it turned out it was so much worse than i could ever have imagined... the lady did not contact me and took it up with her insurers. I called my insurance prior so they took her call and only once i called the insurance a week or so later did they reveal that the lady had claimed. She had her car repaired and proceeded to take out a loan car for 50pounds a day for 2 weeks...for a scratch. If i saw that bitch now i swear! Fuking joke! Oh well, that life ey?

Moral of the tale 1: dont crash
number 2: whatever u think is resonable, times that by 10, and thats the cost.

Thanks for all your advice,
Chris