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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Accident (not my fault)

97 replies

Beanbaggirl · 31/03/2021 19:13

Not really AIBU but posting here for traffic.

My car was driven into today, the driver of the other vehicle took full responsibility and I had a phone call from her insurance company about 10 minutes after getting home.

They’ve told me not to contact my insurance company as they will deal with it their end as the driver has taken full responsibility.

The side back door on the driver’s side is damaged and a family member has said it may be a write off due to cost of body work and the repaint plus labour, may be more than value of the car.
What happens if it is? Can I still drive the car? Do I get to buy a new one for the same price from the insurer? This is all new to me.

It’s a 2014 Reg car with around 41,000 miles on the clock.

OP posts:
NerrSnerr · 31/03/2021 19:15

I'd definitely still contact your insurance company- even if just to tell them about the phone call. 10 minutes after you've got home is very quick. Are you sure it wasn't just the person in the accident pretending?

Reinventinganna · 31/03/2021 19:15

I would contact your insurance company.

Original poster
Beanbaggirl · 31/03/2021 19:15

@NerrSnerr no I got an official email after.

OP posts:
Reinventinganna · 31/03/2021 19:16

Forgot to say, hope you are okay

dementedpixie · 31/03/2021 19:16

You need to inform your insurers too

TSBelliot · 31/03/2021 19:17

It’s cheaper for them if they deal directly. You protect your interests by involving your insurer

VettiyaIruken · 31/03/2021 19:17

Are you sure it was her insurance company?

www.beckettandco.co.uk/notifying-motor-insurers/

ReverendRicketyCricket · 31/03/2021 19:17

I can't think why they'd instruct you not to contact your insurers? Sounds dead dodgy so I would get in touch with them ASAP if I were you.

Kaleidoscopecascade · 31/03/2021 19:19

Definitely contact your car insurance.

Francescaisstressed · 31/03/2021 19:19

You need to contact you insurance company. Pretty much all of them have it in their Ts and Cs that you have to.
If it is their insurance company contacting you they do it to keep their costs down. Use their own garages, limit your hire if needed etc.
You can choose to use them, or use your own.
I would check that it definateky is their insurance, as sometimes accident management companies can get these details as well.

Original poster
Beanbaggirl · 31/03/2021 19:19

They didn’t say don’t contact, I worded it wrong, he said “so I didn’t have to”

It’s LV and I contacted them back afterwards and they had all my details etc from the phone all so definitely legitimate

OP posts:
FlyingBurrito · 31/03/2021 19:20

Wait and see what the insurer's say, if they do write it off there are different types which I'm sure someone will explain or you can Google so no point guessing until you have some definite information.

I'm quite surprised by your contact with the other drivers insurers, are you totally sure it's genuine?

Original poster
Beanbaggirl · 31/03/2021 19:21

@FlyingBurrito yes it was LV. I have an email etc and they’ve even got in touch with a courtesy car company nearby already who contacted me about half an hour later.

OP posts:
wheresmymojo · 31/03/2021 19:22

It's very normal these days for insurers to contact the third party and deal directly where their policyholder is at fault.

It means the insurer can use their network for repairs where they have special rates and if you have a hire car as a replacement they can also use their own network.

Source: I'm 20 years into a career in the insurance industry and now coach and train people at all levels

Tempusfudgeit · 31/03/2021 19:22

Be prepared that your insurance might increase, even though it was their fault. The company's reasoning? Someone who has had a no fault accident is statistically more likely to have a subsequent one.

wheresmymojo · 31/03/2021 19:25

I would still mention to your insurer and confirm that you're happy to deal with LV directly.

Generally you'll get good service as it's in their interest to get everything sorted as quickly as possible and not waste money on the hire car for longer than needed.

^ This is one of the reasons insurers have put this model in place as before the other insurer (as in OP's insurer) could not be that efficient and they (LV in this example) might end up spending much more on hire cars than they could have. The new way of working works in the interest of the insurer (LV in this example) and the OP.

ArianaDumbledore · 31/03/2021 19:25

You should still contact your insurer.
I had a rep from the insurer of the at fault driver come to my door and offer a settlement.
I was quite taken back. I went through my insurer and it was all resolved really quickly.

Original poster
Beanbaggirl · 31/03/2021 19:36

I’m so upset about it all. I literally only had a service on it yesterday and that cost me £380 as it needed new brake pads etc.
The driver was clearly shaken up and immediately said it was their fault but I still feel upset and frustrated.

Btw I had my 2 year old’s car seat in the car at the time, do I need to claim for a new one?

OP posts:
Imanessexgirlgetmeoutofhere · 31/03/2021 19:41

Yes you do need to claim for the car seat.

I came back to my car in a car park to find a lorry driver had misjudged the corner and taken the whole back end of my car off. Their insurers replaced both my car seats without question.

Hope you get it sorted quickly

ArianaDumbledore · 31/03/2021 19:59

Yes to new car seats.
It is upsetting and a massive inconvenience. I guess the way to look at it is a well maintained car will be in the best condition to absorb the impact as safely as possible.

My insurance went up at renewal despite it not being my fault. Apparently because the accident proved I used the road at busy times(!). Got a cheaper quote elsewhere

Francescaisstressed · 31/03/2021 20:00

Yes, you can claim for car seat.
The fact LV contacted you. Means they accept they are at fault - if ask them to send an email over in writing to confirm.
Ring the insurance and see what they can offer versus what LV offers but ultimately if your happy with LV can claim through them.
I k ow it's stressful but good that the other driver has contacted the insurance and accepted fault.

BadNomad · 31/03/2021 20:32

The first time someone hit my car (it was parked and I wasn't in it at the time) the driver admitted it was her fault. Her insurance company sorted it all. I let my insurance company know as I thought that was the thing to do. Then my renewal came around and my premium was increased by £800 because my car "had been involved in an accident". Even though it wasn't my fault. Even though it hadn't cost my insurance company anything.

The next time someone bumped my car I let them pay for it and I said nothing. Right or wrong, I don't care. I dont think it's fair that other people's bad driving should cost me.

Kobrakid · 31/03/2021 20:38

I had an accident before Christmas, other drivers fault and her insurance company was lv. I contacted my insurers and lv got in touch shortly after. They did try to pressure me into going through them, they explained the reasons why I should but I went through my own as having had dealings with them before I knew I would be well looked after. Lv sent a text and an email confirming the other driver admitted fault and got in touch several times to check on us. It’s just to keep their costs down really.

CharlotteRose90 · 31/03/2021 20:40

This was me 2 years ago. First you can’t drive it I was told. If you go with your insurance you can’t use theirs. They will arrange your car to be taken to a garage for an estimate on the repair and then it will go to the insurers for their decision on whether they will pay out or scrap it. Just for the record though my crash was someone reversed into my drivers side front door and I just got a new door and panel etc, mine was a 13 plate. I find you get more offered with the other persons insurance rather then your own. Also make sure you get a good courtesy car and make a claim for a car seat as you can’t use yours. I was without my car for 4 weeks in total.

pumpkinpie01 · 31/03/2021 20:43

Perfectly normal for a third party insurer to offer their services. It keeps the cost down for them , - no expensive hire costs , no claim management companies getting involved . If it's a write off you will probably get an offer be paid out very quickly .

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