AIBU for going through insurance?

[SporkPower]

Hi long time lurker first time poster, so be gentle with me please! Yesterday someone rear-ended my car when I was stationary, she admitted it was her fault we exchanged contact details and she said she would text me her insurance details when she got home.

When I got home, she texted me asking to pay for the damage privately and not go through insurance and basically refused to give me her insurance details. The back bumper is quite crumpled so I called the insurance last night and just gave over all the details that she had given me at the scene (address, name, mobile, car reg etc).

So I told her this morning that I had rang my insurance last night and informed them of the crash.
She's now texted and called me numerous times leaving voicemails, asking that I let her pay privately, asking if I told the insurance it was her driving and asking me to tell the insurance it was her dad driving not her! I haven't replied to any of these messages/calls yet.

I'm a bit pathetic and don't cope well with conflict so the constant back and forward is starting to stress me so I'm a bit worried about her reaction when I tell her that I did tell the insurance it was her driving and this is my first ever car crash so I'm not really sure of the etiquette!

So AIBU to just ignore her calls/texts from now on and just leave it to the insurers?

She can deal with your insurers and settle directly with them.

I agree to keeping all texts.

Just a word of caution if you let the insurance companies sort it out... Even though you won't lose your NCD, it will be recorded on their database and you will have to declare that you've been involved in an accident, and that will put your insurance up next year.

I got rear-ended by a van, while sat at red traffic lights a few years ago. He admitted liability in writing on the spot, and his insurance paid up straight away. The next year, my premium went up, and my insurance company told me it was because I was statistically at higher risk of being involved in another accident.

How old was the driver? You mention she wanted you to say dad was driving. Sounds to me as if she is young and the premium will go sky high. Won't be as high if dad was driving

I tried that website. I don't think they like J plates (Jersey cars) as apparently neither of mine are insured!

sparechange
Just a word of caution if you let the insurance companies sort it out... Even though you won't lose your NCD, it will be recorded on their database and you will have to declare that you've been involved in an accident, and that will put your insurance up next year.

I got rear-ended by a van, while sat at red traffic lights a few years ago. He admitted liability in writing on the spot, and his insurance paid up straight away. The next year, my premium went up, and my insurance company told me it was because I was statistically at higher risk of being involved in another accident.

Yeah protected no claims is a bit misleading as technically your no claims bonus is intact but the premium it is applied to will be higher!

Also, just to add to last point, it's worth taking the (potential) hit on higher premiums to ensure there's no comeback on you at a later date.

My car was written off two years ago- the other driver was found 100% to blame. My insurance premium was cheaper the next year- not more and I don't have protected no claims.

I rarely stay with the same insurance company two years running- I always look for the best deal.

jersey as far as I know it uses the same database as the Police use for non insured vehicles. Don't think anything outside the UK will be included.

Don't worry about any possible hit due to reporting an accident. You can negate it by shopping around. Many quote engines also allow you to show it is a 'no fault' - but you must declare it for 3 years.

do nothing and it will cost you a lot more.

Agree, always go through insurance. I was side swiped by an uninsured driver. I went through my insurance, his company denied he ever worked for them despite offering to pay for my car on the spot. Took me over 3 years to sort out via the motor insurance bureau. Complete pain.

Thanks for all the replies

She has sent me several more txts and tried calling chasing me about if i will pass on her father's name.

I have chosen to refrain from replying to the texts/calls and have gone through my insurance company who have put me through a claims management company so I avoid having to pay my excess while the claim is processed.

The claims management company confirmed that she is insured and that as she went in to the back of me it is a pretty clear cut case even though the claims company spoke to her on the phone an she denied liability to them. (According to the agent on the phone she tried to say it was my fault then she slammed the phone down on them mid-conversation so I don't think they are fooled). She was quite young so I think as others have speculated, it was to avoid having high premiums for her.

SistersOfPercy - Thanks I checked the insurance details via the website!

Thanks mumsnet!

It's amazing how some people have the gall to deny liability for something that is obviously their fault. A friend of mine was rear-ended by someone, who then tried to claim that my friend had skidded from stationary, backwards up a hill into them!

No way. No more dealings with her. Thats the insurance companies job.

Make sure you keep screen shots of the texts she sent you, might come in useful if she is denying responsibility.

Do not answer your phone to her, but let her keep sending her texts (just don't engage with her). Enough rope, and all of that. You are under no obligate to discuss the matter with her any further. That's what you pay the insurance companies for.

Oh dear, another idiot youth. I was hit by one last year. He was perfectly polite and by the book, but his Dad tried it on. All sorts of threats and pleading to get me to go private. He shut up when I told him I'd email him the call recording.

It took 6 months for the NCD to be reinstated though.

Please don't tar all young drivers that way.

Ds did something similar two weeks ago, very little damage to the car he bumped but his, at 15mph has been written off.

There was never any question it was his fault, he was utterly devastated by the accident and immediately apologised to the man he'd hit. He was so upset by it all the man followed him home and handed him over to his gf as he was concerned. He even gave ds a call to check he was ok later.

He remains gutted about it. He called his insurance, told them it was his fault and to deal with the man he hit quickly as he'd been so understanding.
Sadly he's now in a fight to get anything like the value of his car as they are offering pittance and have taken back the hire car to try and force his hand. He's struggling to get to work and we are going have to try and help him with something towards another car.

Not all young drivers are dishonest. The after effects of a small bump can be completely devastating for some young drivers. His lack of concentration for a few seconds well cost him thousands. It's a harsh lesson.