Not to communicate with other driver after car crash?

[Sundaycoffee]

Happened on Monday morning. The guy crashed into the side of my car while I was sitting in stationary traffic. The whole situation was a bit strange, he refused to let me see his driving licence and would only give me his name, address and contact number. He was speaking on the phone to someone in a different language the whole 30 mins we were by the road. He claimed was his brother "helping him". He told me he would rather go down the repair route and I just told him I would think about it. He put his "brother" on the phone to me to who told me their dad had a repair shop would sort out my car etc etc and how my premiums would go up if I go through insurance.
They told me to have a think about it and let them know what I want to do. AIBU to let insurers deal with it now and ignore future communication from him? The man has just tried to call me and the same thing happened yesterday which i find a bit strange (surely calling a complete stranger do discuss a car accident at 10.30pm is a bit odd?) and don't really feel comfortable answering the phone to him. Or should I at least just text him to let him know i am going through insurers?

Your premiums won't go up
His will. If you habent already call your insurers and inform the police online of the accident. Don't answer the phone to him again.

Insurers all i formed and i assume they will deal with it now. I went through the process of informing the police online but after filling in some questions it said it was not necessary given that details were exchanged and nobody was hurt so I have left that part?

Block him!
If you’ve given all the details to your insurance company let them sort it out- it’s what we pay for!

Yes OP's premiums will go up. We had an accident - on dashcam - another driver just pulled out without looking at all and hit us on side. Insurer agreed no fault with us, but loaded our premium hideously.

Nevertheless, probably I would go through insurers. If you have their number plate, your insurer will be able to see if they have insurance.

Possibly he isn't insured. Or worse doesn't even have a license.

I thought this. When we swapped addresses he had to ask the person on the phone for the address so I think he's driving someone else's car. Yeah I am worried about my premiums going up but definitely not letting his father in laws garage fix my car!

Yes go through your insurance. I would in that scenario.

I think it’s polite to text and say that you are going through insurance so all communication can be through them from now on .

I only add this text bit as recently my daughter (learner ) had a small scrape in our car , and it was quite stressful waiting to see if the lady would let us pay to have it buffed out/ wanted to go through insurance , and had we known she was going to got through insurance from the start , we would have made a claim and let them sort everything.

Block him, you’ve done the right thing by reporting it to your insurer; it’s their issue to deal with now. I’d bet he’s not insured, possibly doesn’t even have a license and won’t chase it up.

he refused to let me see his driving licence

He does not have to show you that.

Oh God girl, block and just contact the insurer, he sounds sketchy

I understand wanting to pay in cash but this sounds weird, and I wouldn't trust it

You'll have to pay your excess but peace of mind is invaluable xx

My premium went up despite the other party accepting full liability and settling quickly. My insurers said it proved I "used the roads at busy times". I just renewed elsewhere though.

I'd still go through your insurance, I'd text just to see if they text back, but I wouldn't answer their calls. I'd only be interested in any potential evidence that may be useful

Usually would but the way he behaved at the scene and the unsolicited late night calls are making me feel a bit nervous about contacting him. I also live alone not far from him, so feel a bit nervous about him turning up at my door or something if the conversation doesn't go well. I'm probably over thinking things now but the two late night calls have weirded me out a bit!

This happened to my sister a few yrs ago. She was driving and a car hit her car and made a bump.
She was told not to go through insurance because his brother had a garage and could fix the bump for my sister.
She sent her car to be fixed and the guy demanded my sister pay for the repairs. Even though he had caused the damage. He had her address and was making threats until she payed a few hundred for the repairs.

I would go through insurance.

Yes, also I have no guarantee that the repairs will be done properly and the car made safe to drive if they are doing it themselves for "free". That sounds awful! I'm so sorry she had to go through that!

We reported an incident, we didn’t make a claim and the premium went up alarmingly.

I reversed into my neighbour’s parked car and both of our premiums went up. They were furious about it.

Ok mine went up because I reversed into them. But theirs also went up because they’re now classed as high risk. Basically their insurance now knows they’re the sort of person who blocks a disabled driver’s dropped kerb and ends up being pranged.

OP I wouldn’t get the car repaired at their family garage but I would accept a repair at a garage if my choice. People often go that route to avoid losing their no claims and bumping up their premium.

I would have said I’d go to my garage and get a quote- they can either pay that and I’d do it privately, or I’d go through insurance.

I wouldn’t really go through insurance, only MN want to go through the insurance for everything. I’d struggle to afford the huge increase in premiums