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Original poster

Car insurance - settling it ourselves

23 replies

smallnews · 09/09/2022 09:17

I’m a bit muddled up & could use some help.

I reversed my car onto a parked car. Literally didn’t see him. I was going very slow & scraped the side of his door. The damage to my car is minimal.

I rang my insurance company.

It then occurred to me that I could just pay for his damage myself. We discussed over email, he said he’s get a quote.

He has come back to say he sent photos to a garage who gave him a ball park figure of about £2k. He says they won’t give a detailed estimate unless he has the work done.

Can that be right? How would I know that I’m not paying for other, pre-existing damage? And how can I make a decision unless I know in detail what if be paying for?

I’ve never been in this situation before & I don’t have anyone I can ask. Can I ask him to get more detailed quotes, in person? Or am I obliged to go with my insurance?

OP posts:

Qwerkie · 09/09/2022 09:23

You should go through your insurance - you are supposed to notify them anyway if you have an accident

Happydays321 · 09/09/2022 09:39

Just go through your insurance.
You have already rung them so the accident will have to be declared even if you don't claim on your insurance and settle it privately.

girlmom21 · 09/09/2022 09:40

Go through your insurance. No way a scratch costs £2000. Even if it does, there's no way your premium will increase by that much.

Original poster

smallnews · 09/09/2022 09:41

Ok, so I’m interested why I should to go through my insurance? Is there a rule, or is it just to avoid paying that full whack myself? But how do I know how much it is, if he only gets a rough estimate?

Sorry for questions, I’ve never been in this position before.

OP posts:

Original poster

smallnews · 09/09/2022 09:44

girlmom21 · 09/09/2022 09:40

Go through your insurance. No way a scratch costs £2000. Even if it does, there's no way your premium will increase by that much.

Just to clarify, it’s not just a scratch, but a scrape across one of his doors. But thought the same, no way is his quote for just that.

Ok, I wasn’t aware that my premium wouldn’t rise by so much. Guess I should just go with insurance then.

OP posts:

girlmom21 · 09/09/2022 09:44

smallnews · 09/09/2022 09:41

Sorry for questions, I’ve never been in this position before.

Why would you pay £2000 if your insurance premium is only going to increase by £100/200?

girlmom21 · 09/09/2022 09:44

Sorry cross post!

Yeah there's absolutely no way your premium will increase by £2000 unless you're a really new driver and have had 7 accidents and 6 points!

Sporty2022 · 09/09/2022 09:49

Don’t pay this guy £2000! How do you know he hasn’t made it up? Or got his mate who works in a garage to write an exaggerated quote so they both get a nice payout.

Go through the insurance, they’ll sort it out. And your premiums won’t go up by £2000 anyway, not for one accident. Also for future reference, if you haven’t done already, protect your no claims. I think they allow two at fault accidents in two years.

Original poster

smallnews · 09/09/2022 09:52

Ahhh thanks!
How do I protect my no claims? Is it something I can do now, before I go through?

Yeah, I have no way of telling where his 2k is from because his estimate isn’t detailed. But I would have liked to have known.

OP posts:

Sporty2022 · 09/09/2022 09:54

Also - he’s saying he can’t get a detailed quote unless he gets the work done?
Load of shit. So he would let you pay for the damage to his car, without you knowing how much it would cost until AFTER they have fixed it?

Ring your insurance company now, explain what happened and then email the man back and say you’re going through the insurance. Ask for his details and give him yours.

Do not do this work privately- it’s sound as though he’s trying it on, or even if he’s genuine, the cost is too high.

If it was £200 maybe I would pay up ( I have done before to a neighbour In knew) but not the money he’s talking about.

TheTeddyBears · 09/09/2022 10:03

Just go through insurance.

We had this happen too. My dh was travelling in bad weather, very heavy snow and the traffic stopped but the car wouldn't it just get sliding he bumped the car in front back bumper. Minimal damage to other car and no damage to his car. We said we would pay for it out with insurance but he came back saying it was £1200 of damage that was about 15yrs ago. We just went through insurance and policy only went up about £100 the following year. Also meant no hassle for us.

Original poster

smallnews · 09/09/2022 10:06

Thanks everyone. This has been so helpful. Yes, I will go through the insurance.

OP posts:

Neveragain2022 · 09/09/2022 10:10

Autobody work is expensive now. You need to inform your insurance anyway as he could come back years later and claim a personal injury. Also, insurance companies always ask if you have had an accident when you renew and if you scratched your car on a tree you could get away with saying no but when another car is involved you need to declare it. Your insurance won't go up that much as the claim is under £5000.00. I always buy the NCB protection when I renew my insurance.

EndTheMonacyNow · 09/09/2022 10:18

What type of car? Have you a photo of the damage? I can easily believe it costs £2000?

Bluevelvetsofa · 09/09/2022 10:31

You add the NCB premium when you take out or renew the policy. I don’t think you can do it retrospectively.

Original poster

smallnews · 09/09/2022 11:12

Ok, thanks, so I obviously can't add anything now.

I need this explaining to me like I am an alien, please. My parents didn't teach me this stuff and my ex left me to it, I've never had to make a claim before.

Him first. I phoned my insurance company the day it happened. They emailed me a letter with a Claim Number and my details on it. Do I pass this on to him?

OP posts:

girlmom21 · 09/09/2022 11:13

He just needs the name of the insurer and your reg. Claim number might help his insurance speed things up.

Original poster

smallnews · 09/09/2022 11:14

That's great. Thank you for quick reply. I will send that to him now.

There was a small scratch to my car but I don't want to claim for it. However, I'm already being bombarded by texts from a local garage. Can I just ignore that?

OP posts:

girlmom21 · 09/09/2022 11:16

You can ignore them or just phone them and tell them you don't require their services. Tell your insurance company you don't wish to claim for your car.

Original poster

smallnews · 09/09/2022 11:19

Thank you so, so much, girlmom21 You've no idea how helpful this is. I have ASD and really struggle with stuff like this.

Ok. I already told my insurance company that I didn't wish to claim. I will prob ignore them.

One last question: I bought my insurance through a provider (e.g. like Tesco) but the emails have come from XXX Insurance Services Ltd.

Would the name of the insurer be XXX? Or is it Tesco?

OP posts:

girlmom21 · 09/09/2022 11:54

I'm glad I could help 😊

Tell him Tesco is your insurer.

XXX are the underwriters but he doesn't need to know that.

Agrudge · 09/09/2022 12:53

What car did he have and how old was the car

Bottomofthepileasusual · 09/09/2022 15:42

smallnews · 09/09/2022 11:19

Thank you so, so much, girlmom21 You've no idea how helpful this is. I have ASD and really struggle with stuff like this.

Ok. I already told my insurance company that I didn't wish to claim. I will prob ignore them.

One last question: I bought my insurance through a provider (e.g. like Tesco) but the emails have come from XXX Insurance Services Ltd.

Would the name of the insurer be XXX? Or is it Tesco?

The people contacting you are probably accident management companies. Ignore and block the numbers.
The minute you rang Tesco they set up a claim so they'll rate on the accident anyway so there no point paying privately.

You can protect your no claims bonus once you get to 4 or 5 years depending on your insurer.

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