Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Money matters

Find financial and money-saving discussions including debt and pension chat on our Money forum. If you're looking for ways to make your money to go further, sign up to our Moneysaver emails here.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

I crashed my son's car. Which insurance should I claim on?

68 replies

WheatShreds · 09/12/2022 19:52

We were both at fault in the crash so that will be for the insurance companies to fight over.
I am insured fully comp as a named driver on his policy and I have third party cover on my policy.
I gave my policy number at the scene.
My son's policy is new - he only just passed his test. His car would likely be a write off but it's drivable and we could probably fix it up.
I can't get my head round which policy we should claim on given that his insurance is already high whilst I have protected no claims. I also don't know if somehow the insurance companies will know anyway and it will effect both policies.

OP posts:

WeepingSomnambulist · 09/12/2022 22:15

*clear

Original poster

WheatShreds · 09/12/2022 22:19

Thanks
I did cry all the way home (then some more)

He is usually rubbish about being in touch while he is away but he messaged me when he got there to ask if I'd got back ok. He knows I feel uncomfortable driving in an unfamiliar city. I don't think he noticed me not answering the question.

OP posts:

sevenbyseven · 09/12/2022 22:24

WheatShreds · 09/12/2022 21:26

Yes - don't worry, he won't be out of pocket.

I was accidentally found myself in a bus lane. A truck then crossed a white line and moved into the bus lane where he also shouldn't be hitting me. We both did something wrong. He told me it was my fault for being in the bus lane but it is only as I set off again I wondered why then he was moving into the bus lane...

This sounds like the other driver's fault not yours. The bus lane is a separate issue isn't it?

Grumpybutfunny · 09/12/2022 22:29

Sounds like the other drivers fault for insurance purposes. I was the other driver once and had to take the insurance bill, I would ring your insurance and say he hit you as he was moving and go from there. Highways are unlikely to fight it if it's a minor damage accident.

I really wish it was you insure your car then chose if you want to claim on it regardless of fault. It sounds like your car could be repaired from a scrappy for minimal money. I can remember those days and I would have rather had damage to my old banger than pay the increased insurance. Now I would happily pay the excess so it goes back to BMW for excellent repairs.

Bigslippers · 09/12/2022 22:29

You can claim on your own own 3rd party insurance. Your company will repair damage caused to the vehicle you have damaged but not your sons. The incident will be recorded under your name and need to be disclosed for the next 3 years. Your ncb will be affected (unless protected)

You can claim under your sons policy comprehensive BUT as your son takes responsibility for any named drivers he would need to inform his insurance conpany for the next 3 years. If you are a named driver in future you list the claim under you but if you intend not to be a names driver your son will have to take responsibility for it for next 3 years

On your sons policy means he wont earn a no claims bonus at end of term and will have to declare it for next 3 yrs

DeliberatelyObtuse · 09/12/2022 22:31

WheatShreds · 09/12/2022 21:51

No police. The driver told me I was wrong and I believed him. Its true that I was in the wrong lane. It was only afterwards that I realised he had no more business being in a bus lane than me.

I think I'd push this if I were you

He sounds at fault rather than you

Original poster

WheatShreds · 09/12/2022 22:36

WeepingSomnambulist · 09/12/2022 22:13

It doesnt matter if you shouldn't have been in the bus lane. You were. He drove into you. It is his fault.

A pedestrian shouldn't sit in the middle of the road, but if there is one sitting there and you go ahead and drive over them, you're at fault.

He was chaning lanes. The lane was not clean but he changed anyway and drove into you. Whether or not it was a bus lane doesnt matter. You dont change lanes unless it is clear to do so.

How long have you been driving? Why would you believe him? Just coz he was a man and he told you?

34 years sadly!😁
I think I believed him because I was in shock and upset. I was out of my comfort zone on an unfamiliar road.
I really hope it wasn't because he was a man but it could have been.

Another l professional driver once rammed his royal mail van into the back of my car when I was giving way at an island. Huge impact - total write-off. He tried to say I reversed back off the island into his van. I knew I didn't do that though so it was different. The insurance company didn't believe him either.

In the end - even if it was his fault - it's going to cost a lot.

OP posts:

sevenbyseven · 09/12/2022 22:40

If it was his fault and the insurers agree, it shouldn't cost you anything.

curiousbanana · 09/12/2022 22:43

Sounds like he was liable op.

Sure you shouldn't have been in a bus lane - him either. BUT you were already established in the lane. He was the lane changer.

I'd absolutely dispute liability.

WeepingSomnambulist · 09/12/2022 22:47

Double check if the bus lane was "on". The bus lanes in the city nearest me are onto bus lanes from 7.30 till 9.30 and then 4.30 till 6 (or something like that). Outside of those times, they arent bus lanes and anyone can drive in them but harsly anyone ever does! I do, so I can skip all the traffic.
Worth double checking the signage for the bus lane and the time you were there. Just in case it helps.

Testina · 10/12/2022 10:16

You weren’t at fault at all!!!!
Speak to your insurance company asap, be very clear that you were entirely within the lane when it happened, and not manoeuvring. And be very very explicit with them that the truck driver was insistent and bullying you into saying it was 50/50. Get it recorded right at the start that anything you said to the truck driver was because you were in shock and intimidated.

I know you didn’t get many photos, but do yours show your vehicle entirely within the bus lane? This really isn’t your fault.

Y7drama · 10/12/2022 11:19

I really hope they find the fault was 💯 his rather than 50/50 which doesn’t seem fair anyway, particularly as he tried to blame you. Hope you’re ok op, it’s a horrid feeling.

Bunnycat101 · 10/12/2022 18:46

It sounds like the fault is with the van driver to me too. When you’re shocked if is very easy not to stand up for yourself especially if dealing with a man in what would be an official vehicle. In some ways though the fault doesn’t matter- the costs will still apply to your son’s premiums for ages which is just a bit rubbish. Someone reversed into my husband in a car park and his premiums were higher for years.

kirinm · 10/12/2022 18:47

Testina · 09/12/2022 20:13

Are you sure you have Third Party included on your own policy? It used to be standard - but it’s not now. So firstly I’d check that. Hope that’s not patronising - I only found out a couple of years back that it wasn’t automatic these days.

If you do have it, read the details. It’s usually intended for occasional / emergency use. So an insurer would say that you have no business claiming that you had to drive his car under your own fully comp insurance as an emergency, because you had perfectly good fully comp cover on his policy as a named driver.

Isn't third party the absolute lowest level of cover available?

kirinm · 10/12/2022 18:49

Does your sons policy cover your car and his or do you have the car insured under two policies (you shouldn't have).

princesssparklepants · 10/12/2022 21:55

Even if it's deemed not to be ops fault it will still affect premiums.

Our parked car was hit by a passing van and our premium went up. Apparently statistically one you've be in one accident, even not your fault, you are more likely to be in another..... which is what the insurance agency told us when I argued the crash was bout our fault.

PattyDuke · 11/12/2022 14:11

I am thinking you are a named driver on your sons comprehensive policy. That is the policy on which you will be expected to claim. I am pretty sure you can no longer get third party insurance. Hope you are okay.

Newyeardietstartstomorrow · 15/03/2023 16:08

I know you said you would help him as much as you could, but I really think you need to be paying the full difference, either in the increased insurance premiums plus excess on the claim, or footing the cost of the repairs if you do it outside of insurance. Get a few quotes to see which will be the cheapest. You really can't lumber your son with any of the costs.

Flip

1 2 3