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Original poster

What to do following car accident today - other driver wants to settle without involving insurance

44 replies

merrygoround · 10/06/2007 20:16

Today a driver drove straight into the back of my car. I was stationary, in a queue waiting for the lights to change. He has damaged the bumper but also the frame of the boot, and the left side lights. The boot can't be closed any more. My partner was in the passenger seat, and his head was thrown forward and back. I suffered less as I could see the crash coming in my rear view mirror. Anyway, this is my first experience of an accident and I don't really know what to do. The driver wants to settle in cash with us, but seems to think that the damage was minor. I don't know if he is right. If I don't report the accident within 48 hours then is it right that I forgo the possibiilty of insurance settlement if he doesn't agree to pay up?

OP posts:
interstellar · 10/06/2007 20:24

You really must go thro the insurance,that doesn't sound minor to me,it will be less hassle for you ,and you will get a proper job done- pay for a wingmirror etc without insurace yes,but not something like this.

maisym · 10/06/2007 20:25

report this - your partner might need medical attention later on.

WendyWeber · 10/06/2007 20:27

We had an accident like this last year - the damage to our car was £900 (could have been more, the garage had to take it apart to check the internal structure first) and I claimed for whiplash too, because I had it for a couple of weeks.

You are entitled to a hire car too while yours is fixed as it's his fault. Do it through your insurers! (If he has no insurance you will still get it covered under Uninsured Drivers cover or whatever it's called.)

Jenswish · 10/06/2007 20:28

Get through your insurance. BUT it sounds to me that the driver prob didn't have insurance and that's why they want to settle.

If your partner has got whiplash or anything he needs to get himself sorted. I got hit by a lorry in the backend and now (4 years on) i've still got problems with my neck etc. incase you're wondering didn't get the driver so no compo.

If its the back end of your car the insurance company may want to write off your car (as rear end damage can make the car unsafe) so if you settle chances are that you won't get the money you're deserved.

HTH

BettySpaghetti · 10/06/2007 20:28

Report it to the insurance .

My neighbour had a similar accident months ago and is still having to have regular appts with a chiropractor following whiplash (at the time of the accident it didn't seem too bad).

lulumama · 10/06/2007 20:29

definitely go through your insurance

the liability will most certainly be on the other driver, as he went into the back of you

also, is he going to stump up for any medical costs related to the whiplash?

i;d do all this officially

Katy44 · 10/06/2007 20:36

Definitely through the insurance.
I've been in both situations, I went into someone's car a few years back and paid for the repairs as it was the same as my excess, but she wasn't in the car at the time and looking back I think she took a risk - good thing I'm honest.
A car went into the back of me the other day, I'm not going through my insurance as have got a claims company to handle it as his work have admitted full liability, but have notified them, and am dealing with his insurance.

Katy44 · 10/06/2007 20:37

So - definitely through the insurance but not necessarily yours I meant, the company I'm using are called Accident Exchange, they handle all the money side of things (including claiming for a new car seat) and I get a courtesy car while it's being fixed.

fransmom · 10/06/2007 20:37

through insurance

Original poster
merrygoround · 10/06/2007 20:40

Thank you for all the posts. I am still in a little bit of shock I think, and can't seem to get my head around everything. I would prefer to through insurance, and it does seem like the most sensible option by far.

OP posts:
Katy44 · 10/06/2007 20:44

Did you call the police? I think you are required to notify the police if anyone is injured, but check that.
Hope you're OK, sorry to make light of it, I know how horrible it is

Original poster
merrygoround · 10/06/2007 20:50

Thanks katy44. Could you explain about the Accident Exchange company? Can anyone use them? Is it better than involving your own insurance? Nobody was seriously injured so I don't think we needed to notify the police.

OP posts:
geordiemacminx · 10/06/2007 20:53

I van went into the back of my work car a few years ago, there didnt appear to be much damage at all.... the sort of thing you would shrug off - anyways I took it to work garage and it transpired that the whole of the chassis was bent... you need to get it sorted properly.

I dont autonmatically think that he isnt insured, he has probably suggested getting it sorted privately so that he wont loose his no claims which can be quite valuable... although if the car is as damaged as it sounds it is probably going to cost a lot more than he thinks - if the boot wont close then the chassis is bent.

Hope you get it sorted.

Oh and if there is a chance that you are going to claim for injuries then you need to get yourself (and dp) to the doctors so that it is all on record.

Katy44 · 10/06/2007 20:55

Well I have still notified my insurance, and I think it's best to do that.
I heard about them through the ppl who are doing the repairs, I think they must get a commission for referrals.
I think this is them
As far as I know, as long as the accident is totally the other person's fault, as in your case, they handle the claim and just get all their fees etc from the other person. Give them a call, they'll be able to tell you more than I can, and you can always say no.

holsnovell · 10/06/2007 20:55

Insurance! This happened to me (small crash) and then we agreed no claims etc only to get a call from insurance co. The barstard put 800 claim in!

Katy44 · 10/06/2007 20:56

gmm - good point about the docs, was also thinking that about calling the police, even if the injury is minor, they'd need to have it on record iyswim

Twiglett · 10/06/2007 20:58

I got 2.5K for whiplash a long time ago

LadyOfTheFlowers · 10/06/2007 20:58

dh is a mechanic and says that that much damage will be very expensive and you need to claim thru the insurance.
chances are the guy that hit you doesnt have any tho which is why he doesnt 'want' to go down that route.
then you can also claim for whiplash.

Twiglett · 10/06/2007 20:59

do not use an intermediary .. there's no point .. just call your insurers

Katy44 · 10/06/2007 21:01

Why';s there no point Twiglett? I'm worried now as I've just started this!
They didn't seem to require all the faffing around my insurers needed (sending an inspector round in 3-5 working days to look at the damage) and I definitely won't affect my no claims.

WendyWeber · 10/06/2007 21:03

My boot wouldn't close either, and the chassis wasn't bent, but it does need to go to a proper repairer to make sure.

LadyOfTheFlowers · 10/06/2007 21:04

dh also says accident exchange give you a like forlike loan car while work is being done to yours.
quote:

'if you drive a merc, they wont give you a fiat panda'

unquote.

Twiglett · 10/06/2007 21:05

I don't actually understand how they work

BUT an intermediary will be getting paid somewhere along the line .. is it from your claim?

AND you pay an insurer to do what needs to be done ..

AND this particular accident is patently not her fault so won't affect her no claims

I just don't understand why you'd get someone else involved if I'm honest

Twiglett · 10/06/2007 21:06

didn't mean to worry you sorry

CaptainUnderpants · 10/06/2007 21:09

My neighbour drove into my car last year ,initally she said she would pay fffor the damage but once she got the quote she decided that the insurance compnay should deal with it.

I contacted my insurance company a week after the accident and it was still dealt with OK although my neighbour did try and say it was my fault , little did dhe know that I had an independant witness ha ha !!

Anyway this guy is proabaly trying to pay in cash etc as he doesn't wnat his no claims
lost or he has already had a couple of bumps this year already.

I would conatct your insurance company they can esaily chekc out whther he has insurance if not then contact police.
You have done everthing necessary by exchanging details etc so at the monet there is no need to conatct police ( unless he has no insurance ).

Anybody hurt needs to go and see a GP tomoorrw and have injuries recorded asap. I got hit behind once and my whiplash came out the following day ( had a week off work ! )

Hope you are OK