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Original poster

could really do with some help, DS (21) car accident, not covered on insurance

101 replies

dizzycatdance2 · 07/09/2021 17:01

Hi

Yesterday my DS pulled out at a junction, got hit by another car.
Coming back from work to walk his dog.

Put claim through on insurance, turns out only had insurance for pleasure and social.

What can he do ?

Its going to cost £1,000s isn't it Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
dizzycatdance2 · 07/09/2021 17:13

I'm worried to tell him, because at this point I don't think he knows the extent of the problem, he was at fault so hes liable for all costs i presume

OP posts:
Driftingblue · 07/09/2021 17:13

As someone who has always lived in a car dependent area, I had no idea.

Does this mean he was driving illegally or just that his damages aren’t covered?

Original poster
dizzycatdance2 · 07/09/2021 17:15

will third party be covered at all ?or will he have to pay the whole lot ?

OP posts:
NeverTalkToStrangers · 07/09/2021 17:15

Standard motor insurance for a thirty plus adult doesn't cost noticeably more if you include commuting, but insurance for a twenty-one year old might well be fussier.

Has he been using it every day to go to and from work or was this genuinely a one off? (And can he evidence it if so?). If he deliberately bought cover for social use only when he was planning to use it for commuting as well then he's potentially in trouble. Was it just commuting or was he using it while he worked as well?

Original poster
dizzycatdance2 · 07/09/2021 17:16

i know I cant get an definite answers on MN but some idea might help to calm me , not worried about his car, it was cheap , but its the damage to the other car / any injuries to the third party that worries me.

OP posts:
Original poster
dizzycatdance2 · 07/09/2021 17:16

not using it FOR work, just to get to work

OP posts:
girlmom21 · 07/09/2021 17:18

It's concerning the amount of people who don't realise that 'commuting' and business insurance are different and that 'social, domestic and pleasure' doesn't cover commuting!

girlmom21 · 07/09/2021 17:19

@dizzycatdance2

not using it FOR work, just to get to work
That's commuting and isn't covered by standard SDP insurance
Hadalifeonce · 07/09/2021 17:19

His car might not be covered, but 3rd party usually is.

Original poster
dizzycatdance2 · 07/09/2021 17:19

It was a genuine mistake on his part, just young, and most probably thought "commute" meant up and down the motorway, is only a few miles , bugger , bugger , bugger

OP posts:
Original poster
dizzycatdance2 · 07/09/2021 17:20

if third party is covered I will dance a happy dance

OP posts:
Original poster
dizzycatdance2 · 07/09/2021 17:21

its only a few miles to his work , I mean

OP posts:
ItsSnowJokes · 07/09/2021 17:21

@dizzycatdance2

i know I cant get an definite answers on MN but some idea might help to calm me , not worried about his car, it was cheap , but its the damage to the other car / any injuries to the third party that worries me.
It depends on the damage and if any injuries. It could be thousands or tens of thousands depending what car the other car is and if someone was seriously hurt. No one can answer that without seeing the damage to the other car and people.

He could also have the police visiting and he could get charged with driving without insurance. It really could be a very expensive lesson or he could go bankrupt and then the other driver won't get any money if your son really can't afford to pay.

IveGotASongThatllGetOnYNerves · 07/09/2021 17:22

@girlmom21

It's concerning the amount of people who don't realise that 'commuting' and business insurance are different and that 'social, domestic and pleasure' doesn't cover commuting!
It really is. I wonder how many of them are not insured correctly
MattHancocksSexTape · 07/09/2021 17:23

Who is he insured with

MsWarrensProfession · 07/09/2021 17:24

The other driver's claims will be paid by son's insurer no matter what happens, it's an industry agreement. Worst case scenario is that insurer would them sue the son to reclaim the costs they'd paid out, which could be a lot of money.

Batshittery · 07/09/2021 17:24

It really could be a very expensive lesson or he could go bankrupt and then the other driver won't get any money if your son really can't afford to pay.
Woah. That's a bit excessive. One step at a time.

How come you know that the insurance won't cover him, but he doesn't OP?

MrsRobbieHart · 07/09/2021 17:25

Realistically he needs to get out his policy and you go through it with him to see what is covered.

anon12345678901 · 07/09/2021 17:27

If the insurance company have said he isn't covered, that would be your answer. He needs to speak with them about covering the other cars costs. Driving with incorrect insurance and making a claim can give you points on your license and a fine.

Nookable · 07/09/2021 17:29

It really could be a very expensive lesson or he could go bankrupt and then the other driver won't get any money if your son really can't afford to pay.

@ItsSnowJokes your comments about the third party aren't correct. Even if the claim is repudiated the insurers have a duty under the RTA act to deal with the third party claims and then they have the option to recover those costs from the policy holder. The act was created to protect innocent parties.

BarbaraofSeville · 07/09/2021 17:31

@girlmom21

It's concerning the amount of people who don't realise that 'commuting' and business insurance are different and that 'social, domestic and pleasure' doesn't cover commuting!
I know.

You really have to pay attention when buying insurance and make sure you understand exactly what each question is asking and answer it truthfully, because they have many many ways of catching you out if you have a claim and they suspect there's a way to avoid paying.

The consequences of the insurance companies all wanting to appear at the top of the price comparison table. Many things that used to be covered as standard are now an option that costs extra.

Hopefully OP they'll pay out the third party cost at least and it won't be considered to be a 'driving without insurance' offence. If it was a genuine mistake/misunderstanding rather than intention to deceive to lower his costs, he needs to tell them that.

gunnersgold · 07/09/2021 17:32

You need commuting insurance , I k is a young girl who this happened to as well. She lost about!5k and a nee. We . So sad

gunnersgold · 07/09/2021 17:33

New car

Sleepinghyena · 07/09/2021 17:35

It was a genuine mistake on his part, just young, and most probably thought "commute" meant up and down the motorway, is only a few miles , bugger , bugger , bugger

This is ridiculous. If you drive a car you take out insurance and take responsibility for reading what you are taking out/ answering the questions correctly. Why would he think commute means on a motorway? Why would you think you wouldn't need to buy the correct insurance because your commute is "only a few miles"?
You are making excuses for an adult who has no real excuses

Mariell · 07/09/2021 17:41

Using the excuse of being young is really not acceptable besides he’s 21 not 12.

If this was his first insurance then he should have taken the time to read through it properly and make sure that everything has been done correctly and he’s getting the right amount of cover.

It may well turn out to be an expensive lesson but at least no one has been injured and it’s only damage to the vehicles.

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