My first car crash :(

Sukh · 12 Aug 2007 at 21:03

Is it worth claiming on insurance?

Was driving in Hounslow (i dont live there thank God) and was at a roundabout, started to move forward, decided the gap was too small and slowed down to a crawl when BANG a white sprinter rear ends me nearly pushing me into the traffic ont he roundabout

only had this car for a month and a bit and some one has violated it.
Been driving two years and its my first crash, the guy was on his phone and its clearly his fault, i took his details, but its doesn't look like there is much damage, my question is what likely to have gone wrong and is it worth claiming on insurance (£500 excess, so i know if its less to repair than that then obviously not) im thinking more about future insurance quotes and prices even though it was not my fault?

Scottland · 12 Aug 2007 at 21:06

With most insurers you won't pay the excess with a 3rd party claim (i.e. claiming against him). It may affect your renewal premium however.

You should inform your insurance company though, even if you don't intend to claim.

Sukh · 12 Aug 2007 at 21:07

Scottland said:
You should inform your insurance company though, even if you don't intend to claim.

Silly question (only 19) but why? if im not going to claim, surely they might note it down that it happened and increase my renewal?

[TW]Fox · 12 Aug 2007 at 21:07

Of course its worth claiming, its his fault thus no excess and no loss of NCB.

helpimcrap · 12 Aug 2007 at 21:08

you must tell your insurance company and report the accident if only for when you sell the car etc it comes up as repaired and clears you of any dishonesty.

it wont cost you anything if hes admitted fault.

Will Gill · 12 Aug 2007 at 21:08

rear ended you win by default

in this case im glad although I think the insurance industry as a whole shouldnt assume a rear ending equals the driver behinds fault

dont get me wrong you are totally not at fault, just sometimes its not always as clear cut

pinkaardvark · 12 Aug 2007 at 21:09

but he will now have "had an accident in the last 5 years" hence bumping up his renewal cost, doesn't matter if it was a non fault claim.

Sukh · 12 Aug 2007 at 21:10

[TW]Fox said:
Of course its worth claiming, its his fault thus no excess and no loss of NCB.

Was thinking more of insurance renewal in the future and being made "a statistic". (read somewhere if you have had an accident at some point, regardless of fault, insurance companies charge you a premium as they see you as more at risk of having another?)

Will Gill · 12 Aug 2007 at 21:10

pinkaardvark said:
but he will now have "had an accident in the last 5 years" hence bumping up his renewal cost, doesn't matter if it was a non fault claim.

thats true although its classed as non fault so unlikely to make a difference to his insurance unless he is a youngster

Sukh · 12 Aug 2007 at 21:11

im 19

and its a fairly nice car, 53 fiesta Black (special edition based on the zetec)

lordrobs · 12 Aug 2007 at 21:12

pinkaardvark said:
but he will now have "had an accident in the last 5 years" hence bumping up his renewal cost, doesn't matter if it was a non fault claim.

Depends on the insurer. Made no difference on my current one and next to no difference on any other quotes I've had. Certainly not enough to warrent not claiming thats for sure.

helpimcrap · 12 Aug 2007 at 21:13

unfortunately even though its not your fault you will probably see an increase in insurance prices...

Sukh · 12 Aug 2007 at 21:14

Anyway, im thinking more of potential damage to the car. The bumper looks like its flexed inwards and left a sort of seem and weak bit? Anything else likely to have happened at the low speed of circa 10mph?

ste_bla · 12 Aug 2007 at 21:14

helpimcrap said:
unfortunately even though its not your fault you will probably see an increase in insurance prices...

Can you claim that for the other persons insurance aswell or not?

Sirrel Squirrel · 12 Aug 2007 at 21:22

ste_bla said:
Can you claim that for the other persons insurance aswell or not?

nope

Ev0 · 12 Aug 2007 at 21:49

helpimcrap said:
unfortunately even though its not your fault you will probably see an increase in insurance prices...

As someone has already said, and from personal experiance, it depends on the insurer. Some groups load premiums for non fault accidents, some don't. Nothing to do with age or anything.

In this instance I'd ring my insurer, tell them what's happened and instruct them to do nothing, then call the other persons insurance and sort the claim out directly through them. If you get any grief you've got your insurance to fall back on and this way you, and most importantly your insurer, don't have to pay a penny at any point. The £500 excess doesn't matter for this, it's him and his insurance that's paying, nothing to do with your policy

bigchez · 12 Aug 2007 at 22:16

For information only is what you need to reinforce to your insurer.

And yes, go thru his insurer for the repaairs, or even better contact someone like me and I will sort it for you!

DB_SamX · 12 Aug 2007 at 22:16

Does the fact that he was on the phone as well not have any further criminal implications, or would it be his word against yours? Actually, come to think of it, there would be a record of his call.

agw_01 · 12 Aug 2007 at 22:30

[TW]Fox said:
Of course its worth claiming, its his fault thus no excess and no loss of NCB.

I wish I'd have claimed against the **** in a Golf who rear ended me while on his phone.

Problem is, I was a soft touch. Claim claim claim! I can't stand people who use their phone while driving.