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Accident claim ethics

12 replies

protecttheinnocent · 19/01/2012 08:53

Last christmas when it was really icy and snowy, we were in a big accident in our campervan. We skidded and came to a halt across a country road and then a car came over the brow of the hill at high speed and hit us side-on, drivers side. It was me, DP and DS (10 months at the time) in the car.

The driver who hit us admitted full liability and we then had a horrendous few months trying to get the insurance to pay out for the value of our van which was written off. DP went to the doctors as he had whiplash pain and went through that whole process. There was a lot of confusion and mistakes on the part of the insurance companies and the whole affair was really stressful. We finally got paid enough to buy a new van and DP got some money for his whiplash.

Now I have claims companies ringing me trying to get me to make a claim. It's being going on so long that I finally chatted to them last night. They want me to say that I also had whiplash pain from the accident and they will make a claim on my behalf for which I could get £2000. I would have to go for a medical.

I basically told them no because the whole affair is over. At the time I didn't feel I was injured in the accident and didn't go to the doctor or anything. The impact was on DP's side and he copped most of the force. If I was to make a claim at this stage, I would basically have to fib to the medic to say I had aches and pains for a month after the accident.

So, I told them no but last night after I put the phone down I had second thoughts. Do I deserve this cash after all the hassle and stress we went through trying to get properly compensated for a bad accident that wasn't our fault? On the other hand, I don't want to contribute to insurance premiums going up because of all the fake whiplash claims around.

WWYD?

OP posts:
thrifty · 19/01/2012 09:04

Leave it. You've been paid out. It will only give you more stress and worry.

nappymaestro · 19/01/2012 09:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AlmaMartyr · 19/01/2012 09:21

Don't do it. Just be glad it's all over. I'd report the company as well.

protecttheinnocent · 19/01/2012 09:39

Thanks. You're all absolutely right. It's a racket and I don't want to be involved.

OP posts:
kitbit · 19/01/2012 09:50

Trust your instinct. And report the company who tried to entice you to commit fraud.

custardismyhamster · 20/01/2012 22:18

Totally right to not claim, as you weren't injured. Also totally right of your DH TO claim, as he clearly was :)

works in car insurance, has this conversation day after day-most people are NOT as honest as the OP

LovesBeingWearingSkinnyJeans · 20/01/2012 22:27

Don't do it. Also just so you know they text and call me and I have never been in an accident. All the person on tge phone wants is to get their target. For you however this is insurance fraud.

CervixWithASmile · 20/01/2012 22:30

I don't think you should lie. Also, just curiosity, but if you ended up across the road, why was it the other drivers fault?

tb · 21/01/2012 00:57

Cervix - you have to drive within your stopping distance ie you adjust your speed so that you can always see to the end of the distance it will take you to stop.

Therefore you slow down before a bend or the brow of a hill because there might be a campervan just round the bend or over the brow of the hill, and you need to be able to stop before you hit it.

jalopy · 21/01/2012 17:36

You'll be in deep shit, don't do it.

georgesmummy11 · 21/01/2012 20:01

Don't did it, it's fraud. Also every time someone puts a claim in it makes everyone's insurance go up.

protecttheinnocent · 23/01/2012 12:03

Another thank you to all who replied - I am certain I did the right thing now.

OP posts:
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