Leaving out insurers after crash?

[EssentialHummus]

Sorry if I sound like I've no idea what I'm doing - I don't.

I had a minor car crash today - I was behind a van, both of us turning a corner, when he stopped and decided to reverse. He didn't hear me hooting and banged into me. (I couldn't reverse myself as there was a bus coming behind me.)

We got out and exchanged details amicably. The van was undamaged, and belongs to the guy's employer. My car - which is 20 yo and worth (on a good day) £300, lost the plastic casing covering lights on one side, and a few bits of plastic. Obviously it needs to be checked out, but seems like minimal damage.

He's now texted me to ask if we want to leave out the insurers and settle things between ourselves. This suits me just fine for all the obvious reasons, but am I missing something?

You must notify your insurer, even if you don't claim. If you don't, and a mate suggests to him he can then claim this, that and the other and say it was all your fault (believe me we have one of these still on going a year later and we have video evidence we weren't at fault), your insurance will be null and void.

Personally I wouldn’t but I have an outstanding court case and I am pleased I went through proper channels

You should inform them, but you don't have to claim through them - he can pay for it repaired if he wants to.

Thanks everyone!

I bumped into someone in a car park ( minor scratches)and they said dont worry which was nice of them and nothing ever came of it

Probably a good idea not to claim as you may find your insurance company writes off your car rather than repairs it.

However get something in writing from the other party. Something like this happened to us in France. Not clear who was liable but we happily paid the suggested small amount to save the admin hassle. Only to get a letter from a French insurance company months later. The guy had made a claim as well and blamed us for the accident. We suggested the company prove our liabilty and explained what had happened, and they dropped it. But it would have been better to have had a receipt.

I wouldn't bother. I told mine about a claim and didn't even use ask them to repair. I have to declare this now every year for six years and it's put my insurance up by 200 quid. FYI someone went into the back of me.

Personally I wouldn’t I involve my insurers if it was a £300 car. Both your premiums will go up. My insurance almost doubled when I got hit by an overtaking car and most recently a lorry door swung into my parked car and my insurance went up! It’s in his best interest to pay you directly so I’m sure he won’t mess you about.