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Original poster

Drove into the back of someone - how much will it cost me?

64 replies

selflove · 26/07/2021 19:08

Stationary at a roundabout and went into the back of someone when they pulled off then hesitated - totally my fault, I went into the back of them. I have a black box fitted in my car because I have only had an insurance policy in my own name for one year so it made it cheaper (was a named driver on ExH's before this), and the bump was such low speed it didn't even register on my black box.

Gave my details to the woman, who was angry and aggressive, and I'm happy to go through insurance, she reckons there is damage (none visible), but what will it cost me from a money perspective to pay now? My excess? My excess AND her excess? Anything else?

I suspect she'll come back with a "let's not go through insurance and you give me X cash" perspective, and whilst she was awful and I think a bit of a chancer, I also don't want to cut my nose off to spite my face, so wanted to know what costs I would be liable for if I insist on going through insurance. Can anyone shed any light?!

OP posts:

Ginmakesitallok · 26/07/2021 19:29

Someone drove into the back of me earlier this year- cost about £1300 to replace back bumper. Just go via your insurance- its what you pay it for.

Original poster

selflove · 26/07/2021 19:31

@D0D0 - this is what I wanted clarity on. Previous posters said I only needed to pay my excess if I was claiming damage to my own vehicle. Is that not the case? Do I need to pay the excess on my policy for damage to her vehicle?

OP posts:

Doubledoorsontogarden · 26/07/2021 19:31

Just say that you don’t know how much your excess is. Don’t tell her.

Seesawmummadaw · 26/07/2021 19:34

When this happened to me they sent me the quote from the garage. They didn’t know my Dh worked there and didn’t mention that they were having other work done which they had added to the bill!

RollaCola84 · 26/07/2021 19:35

@selflove You don't pay anything unless you're claiming for damage to your car.

HopingForOurRainbowBaby · 26/07/2021 19:38

I've had 2 minor bumps. Well one was more of a scrape. First one I aquaplaned into the back of the car in front. There was enough of a gap between us but the car in front of the other driver slammed on to let some people cross the road. Unfortunately as I hit my brakes my car kept on moving forward and I hit the back of him. Thankfully there was no damage to his car and just a few scratches to my number plate. We both said neither of us was hurt and because there wasn't any damage we'd leave it at that. The second time I clipped someones car trying to pull round them. He was parked in the most ridiculous place. Half empty car park and he chose to park in a shop delivery bay instead and his bumper came into my blind spot and I didn't see it until it was too late. Scuffed his bumper and transferred the paint off my car onto his. Other than that no more damage and would probably have cost the price of some T-cut to sort it. No he claimed a brand new bumper at the cost of £1500 from my insurance. Twat!

BridgetInHerBravery · 26/07/2021 19:41

You will not pay any excess on costs of repairing her car.

If there is damage to your car then you will need to pay your excess.

Do not, under any circumstances, give her more info than you are legally obliged to, and don't agree to pay for damage, let the insurers do all of it, it is what you have paid for.

I'm guessing your black box will have a record of speed which will be useful if she's an arse.

bigbaggyeyes · 26/07/2021 19:49

It's just your excess you pay if you go through insurance and you are fully comp.

If you I want to settle outside of insurance who knows. I'd ask the lady to get a few quotes and you take it from there. But it really is a case of 'how long is a piece of string' plus will she want to be without a car whilst hers is being fixed, will she expect you to pay for a hire car or is she just trying to get a few quid from you and not bother getting the damage fixed.

Tbh as much as it will increase your premiums it's better and less hassle to go via insurance

Original poster

selflove · 26/07/2021 19:52

Ok so

IF I GO THROUGH INSURANCE
cost to me = increased premiums only. Had my own policy for less than a year so don't have any NCD to lose.

So essentially I need to put a mental price on how much I'm willing to pay to avoid an increase in my next premium (say £200).

If she wants more than that, go through insurance, because the only cost to me is increased premiums. If she's happy with £150, give her cash, then no increased premium on my next renewal.

Does that all sound correct?

OP posts:

millymae · 26/07/2021 19:53

My advice would be tell her nothing more other than your insurance company is dealing with it. This is why you have insurance - what’s the point of paying them if you are not going to use the services they offer.

It’s unfortunate that you went into the back of someone who doesn’t sound particularly pleasant - don’t have anything more to do with her.

caughtinanet · 26/07/2021 19:57

Why aren't you asking your insurer these questions

Just ring them up, report what happened and let them sort it out. That's what you have insurance for, so you don't need to get in a state about an everyday occurrence (not that you have an accident every day of course )

gobbynorthernbird · 26/07/2021 19:59

Bear in mind, OP, you could give her cash and then she could still claim off your insurance and deny all knowledge.

BungleandGeorge · 26/07/2021 20:02

I think you’d be very unwise to do anything other than go through insurance in this case. She’s sounds like a scammer and it will end up costing you a lot more. You are also under an obligation to tell your insurance of all accidents. If she comes back to you and claims on your insurance after the time you have to report it (48 hours usually) it may invalidate your policy. Your car is quite likely to have damage to the bumper that needs fixing too. They’re designed to take the shock internally so you can’t see the damage.

unsureofneighbour · 26/07/2021 20:04

Tell your insurer and stop communicating with her.

I rear ended someone, there was no damage to either car but I reported anyway as I am autistic and an absolute rule follower so my brain didn't allow me not to report. I have never been so glad I did something in my life. She came at me months later with a personal injury claim which was £7k. The insurer paid out and my premium only went up by just over £100 on renewal

Englishrosegarden · 26/07/2021 20:06

This is a well known scam in our area. It happens a lot and they usually either demand cash at the scene or later on. My advice would to be to ignore her, report exactly what happened to your insurance company (black box will help you here) and let them deal with it. She will probably back away once there's no cash to be had.

GintyMcGinty · 26/07/2021 20:09

Please just tell your insurance company and leave them to communicate.

Do not communicate with her further. If she calls again ask her to speak to the insurance company.

Do not give this woman cash. You don't know her. You don't know if its a scam.

Englishrosegarden · 26/07/2021 20:09

www.theaa.com/driving-advice/legal/crash-for-cash

D0D0 · 26/07/2021 20:12

[quote RollaCola84]@selflove You don't pay anything unless you're claiming for damage to your car.[/quote]
I stand corrected (too long having company car insurance)

Every day is a school day. Thanks for setting me straight!

AddsVsGeorgs · 26/07/2021 20:16

Ask her to give you quotes for the damage of her vehicle from 3 different places and the name of there company
You ring them, dont let them ring you

Make sure the damage is on the correct car with the correct number plate and then you can contact your insurance company

Do not tell her any other info and DO NOT PAY HER CASH

torquewench · 26/07/2021 20:20

Roundabouts are common locations for "crash for cash" accidents. Id bet my own money that she'll offer to take a few hundred in cash off you instead of gong via insuerers. Dont give her any more info than you have already, block her calls and let your insurer deal with her. Shes probably on a blacklist.

thesunwillout · 26/07/2021 20:23

Just take the hit on your own increased premium next year.
You'll just be starting again.

Don't give her any money.

Don't get involved.

Ring your insurance asap.

Tell them what's happened.

If she contacts you again tell her your insurance company.

Your insurance company will pay her damage and that's that.

You've then got a yr or so to save bit extra towards your next policy.

SnoopyLights · 26/07/2021 20:34

When did the accident happen? Contact your insurance and tell them what has happened, and take photo's of your own car. The sooner you report it, the better it is for you.

Your excess has nothing to do with her. It's irrelevant to her claim. Don't tell her.

You shouldn't have to pay anything up front if you are not claiming yourself for your own car.

Do you have all her details, her number plate and name and everything?

From experience, you can't trust her. She may be perfectly lovely but you can't trust her. You have to assume the worst about her and just do everything properly through your insurance, let them deal with her, don't communicate with her at all.

SisterMonicaJoansHabit · 26/07/2021 20:35

Keep it through the insurance company.

I was hit by a car while almost stationary on a moped and swapped numbers, she called a few times and asked me some questions and I was completely caught off-guard and was only 17, she coerced me into saying it was at least partly my fault. It really wasn't. She only lost her no claims. My moped was a write off and 22 years on I still have nerve damage.

Only communicate through your insurer

Eleoura · 26/07/2021 20:35

You gave her your home address!!!

Go through insurance. Don't communicate with her, other than to say you are awaiting your insurance to get back to you and she will hear from them. As another poster said, handing over cash is a big no, no. Esp as she could come to your house to demand more!!!

bimbimbap · 26/07/2021 20:36

I had a similar situation within the last year - another driver stopped in front of me (99.9% sure on purpose) and I ‘tapped’ her bumper with mine at about 2mph - zero damage on either car confirmed by photos at the time & also by independent assessor sent out by my insurance. Somehow the other driver still managed to get an out of court settlement for multiple injuries paid by my insurance although they told me outright they thought it was fake. Only cost to me was increased premiums from now on but definitely let the insurance deal with it, literally what they’re there for! I also got a dash cam afterwards because seeing that you have one / there’ll be concrete evidence can put people off dodgy claims!

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