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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have any legal concerns we suggest you consult a solicitor.

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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have any legal concerns we suggest you consult a solicitor.

Legal matters

Car, accident. Where do I stand?

72 replies

DeathMetalMum · 07/04/2016 16:09

Bought my first car today, insured and taxed before I set off home. On the way home someone drove into the side of me. I had stopped at a crossing which was on red and was indicating to turn right. Turned right once light were green and they drove into the side of me, there was a queue behind me, a witness has said they were driving on the wrong side of the road. My car haso a huge dent in the driver and passenger doors, theirs has a small scrape on the paintwork. 😔

Here is the more tricky part. Contacted my insurance and they said my cover doesn't start until midnight tonight and can't do anything unless the other person admits liability and contacts their insurance. I've no experience of dealing with any insurance claim whatsoever. Where do I stand? Would love some advice from anyone in the know.

OP posts:

Report

BombadierFritz · 07/04/2016 16:19

You poor thing! First off, how come the insurance starts at midnight? That makes it start tomorrow not today. Did the other driver stop? Do you have their details? The witness' details?

CodyKing · 07/04/2016 16:24

Report it to the police so a paper trail starts -

Do you have a cover note? What does it say?

Is it drivable? Can you get a quote?

ShowOfHands · 07/04/2016 16:24

What do you mean crossing? How did they drive into you? Did you turn in front of them? Like at a crossroads?

Redglitter · 07/04/2016 16:33

Did you get the other persons insurance details?

One obvious problem with reporting it to the police is the OP was driving with no insurance. Something they'll spot

BombadierFritz · 07/04/2016 16:36

Isnt it impossible to tax an uninsured car?

DeathMetalMum · 07/04/2016 17:42

Not sure why the insurance starts at midnight, it's what they advised when I rang to tell them about the crash. I have a policy number and gave all the information to the police who were lovely. I have the drivers details, contacted their insurance and they said unless the other person tells them I won't hear anything. I also have the number of a witness who helped push the car off the road.

I was stopped at a pedestrian crossing with a queue beind me with my indicator on. Lights changed I turned into the petrol station other car was driving on the wrong side of the road and drove into the side of my car. I think they must have been coming out of the supermarket car park an exit just before the entrance to the petrol station.

Car is drivable mechanically but there is considerable damage to the drivers door and passenger door, I'm worried how safe it is to drive also.

OP posts:

BombadierFritz · 07/04/2016 19:30

I would get back to both insurers - neither sound v good. Do you have your insurance policy details and what does that say on it? Also the other insurers cant just ignore you like that.

BombadierFritz · 07/04/2016 19:36

Your insurance might say 23.59 thursday 7th for example, in which case you were not covered for today, or 00.01 thursday 7th, in which case you were. It wont say 2400 or 0000

clam · 07/04/2016 19:42

When I re-insured recently, they specifically said that it would be from midnight as the day started, so if I asked for it to start on 7th April, it would be from 00.01 and it ends at 23.59 on 6th April next year. Phone them again and ask to speak to someone more senior.

DeathMetalMum · 07/04/2016 20:00

I have reviewed my policy from the email I received, and it says begins 00.00 on the 8th of March :( . I feel terrible at the moment I can't remember if the sales person mentioned the date during the phone call, although I probably wouldn't have noticed if she had said tomorrow's date. Though I think I may have confirmed I was insured to drive the car home, but can't be certain, I was very excited at the time that I had bought my first car. I don't think I have the energy to phone anyone else again tonight but I will try again tomorrow. Feeling extremely disheartened at the moment, don't even know if I'll be able to afford the repair of the car myself.

OP posts:

Redglitter · 07/04/2016 20:02

March or April???

fuctifino · 07/04/2016 20:03

We're in April, if it says March, you're covered!

fuctifino · 07/04/2016 20:05

Regarding the damage, if there are any sharp edges, it won't be legal to drive.
Did the police say anything about whether it was roadworthy?

CodyKing · 07/04/2016 20:05

They normal go back over information - who's the insurer? They may have taped the conversation?

Did you say - cover starts tomorrow? Or Thursday?

BombadierFritz · 07/04/2016 20:07

:(
You could ask them to review the call you made to set it up. Perhaps they made a mistake inputting the details (i'm also surprised it says 00.00, i thought they always said 00.01 to avoid confusion)

BombadierFritz · 07/04/2016 20:09

As well, if you have a witness and it was the other drivers fault, it will be their insurance paying out anyway. You could even try one of those 'no win no fee' places

DeathMetalMum · 07/04/2016 20:16

Sorry it's April says from 00.00 08/04/2016 until 00.00 08/04/2017. Yes I was certainly thinking of ringing them tomorrow to speak to someone regarding the start of the insurance, and asking to get them to review the call, I once worked in a call centre and all calls were recorded. There is no way I would have driven the car home if I had known, it was in a village over 30 minutes away. Insurer is Diamond.

OP posts:

DeathMetalMum · 07/04/2016 20:19

I was worried that the other insurance company could refuse to pay if I didn't have legal insurance. The other insurance company said I needed to get my insurance company to deal with it, I didn't mention to them that my insurance hadn't started. I've had to go to the hospital today also as I think I have whiplash, the doctor said to expect a lot of pain in the morning.

OP posts:

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 07/04/2016 20:30

I would call now, if they are open. As you've said, you might be suffering tomorrow!

Did you tell the police that you're not insured? Or just the other insurance company?

Leaving aside the offence of driving without insurance, if the other party admit liability, I believe you'll be okay. They'll either take your car to be repaired, or ask you to submit quotes, and then you pay and they'll reimburse you. Don't pay for anything until you've got confirmation in writing that they will fund the repairs.

It'll be a rougher ride if he no longer admits liability, or if your insurance companies believe that it should be 50/50.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 07/04/2016 20:32

Ah I misread that, sorry. I thought it said you had told them. So who knows that you're not insured?

It would be standard for your insurance to contact them but it's not compulsory, you can do it yourself. It'll just get complicated if he's not admitting liability or it's deemed to be 50/50.

biscuitkumquat · 07/04/2016 20:32

Does the car salesman not have an obligation to make sure that you are insured before you drive the car away?

DeathMetalMum · 07/04/2016 20:50

I didn't tell the police as I thought I was insured. They took downot my insurance information, policy number and company at the time. I only found our about the insurance when I rang them once I got home. Bought the car from a private seller so I don't think they do have to make sure anything, except the registration/owner paperwor.k His car doesn't have a large amount of damage really just scrapes.

OP posts:

MunchieCrunchie · 07/04/2016 20:55

I would contact the police. If the other driver was driving on the wrong side of the road, it could be a crash for cash scam. The police will be aware, if there is cctv in the area that captured the accident on tape. They may have information on the other driver too.
You have had a bad day, try not to be too disheartened, it can happen to anyone. Everything will get sorted out in time.

MunchieCrunchie · 07/04/2016 20:58

Just saw your update. Would the car be covered under open insurance by the previous driver until midnight tonight?

MunchieCrunchie · 07/04/2016 20:58

Has ownership been transferred if you only bought it today?

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