To just not be able to do this (accident claim)

[soyvanillalatte]

Someone rear ended me at a red light this week. The car is being looked at for a quote and repair and I will be getting a rental car BUT the car may be written off and I could potentially end up out of pocket as there would be a gap between what I paid for it/what I would need for a replacement and the market value given by the assessors.

My Husband is on at me to claim for injury and says I am a fool not to as everyone does this and it is the way to make sure I can buy a "new" car if the my damaged one is written off, or indeed to just get some compensation for the inconvenience/accident. I am not injured and find the whole idea dishonest.

Am I being a fool? Is this something people do to make sure they get a payment from an insurance company?

Just to add some info: I find it incredibly hard to find suitable cars as I only drive an auto and the car I have is a 2004 but it has 10000 mileage so was about £1500 when I bought it a year ago.

I'm glad you aren't thinking of claiming - and I say that as someone who has a long term permanent whiplash injury. I didn't claim for it because it didn't cost me anything (work for the NHS so very good sick leave and lightning quick physio referral) and it would have felt dishonest. Yes, I have a crunchy neck and it still affects me at times, but I'd have felt like a fraud claiming for it.

pollaidh - that is awful. I am so sorry you were so badly injured.

I honestly think it was the fact that I was able to pay for specialist physio immediately that has facilitated my DD's recovery. If it had been left to her GP she would have been left for 4 weeks on strong painkillers before even getting a referral. By that time recovery is extremely unlikely.

Unfortunately most people don't have the knowledge or cash to get the correct treatment in a timely fashion. Yes - I am out of pocket, but it has been worth it.

Thanks 3littlefrogs. Yes fortunately I was/am able to pay for private physio, and that has certainly helped. It turned out I have an underlying disorder which meant full recovery from injuries is much more difficult/impossible. Had no idea about it at the time. I got quite good compensation but it's pretty much all been spent on physio, and I settled with no idea I'd still be paying 10 years later.

Glad you were able to see your daughter got the best treatment.