Car Accident, minor damage,

[CarBump]

Hi and thanks in advance for any advice.

I was stationary at a busy junction, waiting to turn, handbrake on.

Another car failed to stop in time (it was wet and dark) and went into the back of me. Not sure how fast they were going, not too fast but quite a fright/bump.

Appears to be minimal cosmetic damage to either car but my light and parking sensors are broken. Some scratches too.

Young man wanted me to let him pay cash for damage. I’m worried there may be damage I am unaware of plus car is relatively new. I took photos at the scene of both cars and informed insurer. Am waiting for collection of my car.

Otter driver is not impressed I have notified insurers.

His insurer rang me, admitted full responsibility and wants me to deal with them direct, ie, go through their garage, have a courtesy car from them. They also offered a goodwill gesture of a small sum for ‘inconvenience’.

I did know they could contact me directly.

They also said if I wanted to take my car to a main dealership they can deal with them direct.

Am I missing something? Is it not easier for me to let my insurance deal with it all (hence why I pay them) plus I have no claims protection?

I just want the car fixed and to move on with as little hassle as possible.

Are you certain it was the actual insurer calling? I'd go via your insurer tb.

Hi LIZS, yes I googled the number and it is the insurer.

I was confused over whether I am missing some benefit to me from going through the other insurer.

I will call my insurer and tell them. Feel stressed with it all.

I had very similar. It's OK. The other drivers insurers contacted me and admitted liability the same as yours. I was actually happy to settle privately but the other party were thick and couldn't understand that they could still claim off their insurers for their self inflicted damage-- to their car. So I used their insurance and had the repairs done on MY terms - by my preferred mechanic using parts I supplied, and the insurer happily settled according to my estimate which was easy to do myself. But my car is a 30 years old Land Rover so not full of electronics. I wanted to settle privately as it boiled down to me needing a new exhaust pipe and a rear step and it just takes so long going through insurance (5 weeks in this case due to someone having to come out to inspect the damage and authorise repairs). I checked everything with my own insurers as you're supposed to report any incidents to them and their advice was to stick with them as they weren't quibbling so no need for them to intervene in my behalf. Once authorised by the inspector, they sent me a cheque to cover the costs. Then I got the work done. If I'm honest I dragged it all out as long as I reasonably could just to piss off the other Party as her husband was so unbelievably rude and obnoxious to me when I tried to make it easier for them by settling for a cash payment rather than claim via official channels for my damage. So I felt fine about claiming everything I was entitled to including the brand new 4x4 with towbar that will have sent their renewal through the roof. -- Hope that's helpful (if a bit longwinded)

Thanks Penny.

My insurance have passed me onto a management agency in relation to a courtesy car whilst mine is repaired. £75 excess should I have an accident in it.

My accident excess has been waived as no fault claim. However, third party insurer is saying if they don’t agree with my insurer in relation to any car hire costs then I could be personally liable.

I’m clearly naive as I presumed my insurer would provide a courtesy car until mine is repaired. I feel like piggy in the middle.

Can you not get their insurer to sort out the hire car for you? That's what happened with me. Mine wasn't roadworthy because of the broken exhaust, It's probably just a standard warning thing so that you have an appropriate hire car replacement comparable to your own car. It would be easier if the other insurance company sorted everything though. It's perfectly reasonable for you to have a comparable car whilst yours is being repaired, I asked for something with a tow bar, spare number plate and 3.5t towing capacity (i.e. Just like my Land Rover) whilst mine was in being repaired and they didn't quibble. So if you need 4 doors rather than 2 or whatever, tell them!

That link is alarming!

I might just not bother with a replacement car. My own insurers tried to refer me on for an injury claim but I said no. A few days of work is covered by my sick pay so no losses except for repairs.

Thanks all.

I have dealt direct with a third party’s insurer direct where they have admitted liability. Repairs done on my terms by a repairer of my choice and a hire car provided by the insurer. MUCH easier than having to piss about with my own insurer, just advised them that it had occurred but they would not be dealing with the claim.

That's normal, I had a neighbour reverse into me and her insurer handled it all.

Go directly with the third party insurer.