Rear Ended, Help

Sukh · 21 Nov 2009 at 14:06

Ok so I am stopped at pedestrian traffic lights, and smack, a white astra van crashes into the back of me. Luckily the chap crossing the road at the time saw it all, and has provided witness.

Now my problem is the guy in the car behind said he had no ID, so I took a picture of him and his numberplate and the details he gave me of his address.

I have heard of this accident management companies which take care of all the nitty grity, and provide a cover car. Do these companies inform my insurance company? As I am aware once I have an accident, even if it was non-fault, my premium will be loaded.

What is the best way to go about getting my car fixed, with the least hassle, without increasing my premium in the future?

Thanks for any help.

(and I think there was a thread here or on ph about whether the best way to get in an accident is to brace yourself or go limp, I didn't see the car coming and was limpish, but facing put the side window, so shall see how the neck goes.)

grudas · 21 Nov 2009 at 14:08

well did you report it to your insurance company? or just left it like that?

Dup · 21 Nov 2009 at 14:09

You either take a non-fault claim through the insurance company for the least hassle or get the 3rd to pay for the bills and avoid the insurance.

You can involve the police if they've failed to give details can't you? I would be trying to get his insurance company details before I went to mine and they HAVE to give you this info by law IIRC.

platypus · 21 Nov 2009 at 14:15

You have to inform the police of an accident anyway, phone the non emergency number of your local station.

Defcon5 · 21 Nov 2009 at 14:21

platypus said:
You have to inform the police of an accident anyway, phone the non emergency number of your local station.

No you dont.

The other party hasnt failed to give details, they just didnt have anything to prove who they said they were, if the OP is happy they were not giving him false details them there is no need for police attendance

allllec · 21 Nov 2009 at 14:22

Who is his insurance company? Some (for example admiral) will deal and seattle direct with you without going through your insurance company. This obviously does not take away the hassle etc but it keeps your record incident free

InvaderGIR · 21 Nov 2009 at 14:24

platypus said:
You have to inform the police of an accident anyway, phone the non emergency number of your local station.

You only have to inform them if there is obvious personal injury involved...ie and ambulance is needed at the scene of the accident. I know this as I phoned the police after I'd had and accident to inform them and they told me what I've just said.

Lum · 21 Nov 2009 at 14:47

I would go through a 3rd party claims company, if only because if this guy has given you false details at least it wont end up on your insurance record as a fault claim with the accompanying NCB loss.

HelpHire are the "standard" recommendation in threads like these, not as good as they once were but at a similar level of incompetence to most insurance companies, however for a tenner they insure you against all liability should the 3rd party refuse to pay, be uninsured, be untraceable etc. etc. Plus you'll at least get a hire car of a similar spec to what you currently drive rather than a 1.0 Corsa or something.

platypus · 21 Nov 2009 at 14:59

InvaderGIR said:
You only have to inform them if there is obvious personal injury involved...ie and ambulance is needed at the scene of the accident. I know this as I phoned the police after I'd had and accident to inform them and they told me what I've just said.

Well thats not what the police told me after my accident

.

InvaderGIR · 21 Nov 2009 at 15:10

platypus said:
Well thats not what the police told me after my accident .

Really? If you have swapped details then there is no need for police involvement. :confused:

platypus · 21 Nov 2009 at 17:10

InvaderGIR said:
Really? If you have swapped details then there is no need for police involvement.

Well no the police were very much needed after my accident. But the officer I spoke to said in the case of any accident the police should be notified.

InvaderGIR · 21 Nov 2009 at 17:12

Odd. I thought that, which is why I called the local police for the area I'd had my accident in and they didn't care.

schnipps · 21 Nov 2009 at 17:24

Well you only have 2 choices if someone rear ends you, you either agree there and then to sort it out privately and he pays for your repairs, or you go through insurance. If he was driving a company van then you will have to do the insurance route anyway. If it goes insurance use an accident claim company and they will sort it all out i wouldnt ring your insurance company. I would never call the police for a prang, seems like a total waste of time.

Ev0 · 21 Nov 2009 at 19:15

Blimey all these people saying go through a third party accident company from the off

You got the name of his insurance company right? Call them, they will sort it all.

Inform your company but advise them nothing needs doing.

Will have a non fault accident on your record, some companies will load your premium for this, a lot won't.

I had the same thing happen and I got their insurer to do it all and my insurer (privilege) didn't load my future premiums with a non fault accident.

And the police do not need to know, I called them after someone went into my front wing and they said they didn't need to do anything. Infact the accident happened directly outside the Devon and Cornwall police HQ lol.

Sukh · 22 Nov 2009 at 12:53

Lum said:
HelpHire are the "standard" recommendation in threads like these, not as good as they once were but at a similar level of incompetence to most insurance companies, however for a tenner they insure you against all liability should the 3rd party refuse to pay, be uninsured, be untraceable etc. etc. Plus you'll at least get a hire car of a similar spec to what you currently drive rather than a 1.0 Corsa or something.

This sounds like a good plan, its only a 1.4 fiesta so anything will be comparable I suppose. Although it has leather

Edit: I can't see the £10 insurance thing on their website, are you sure its them?

The_Dark_Side · 22 Nov 2009 at 13:17

My neck would be hurting round about now.

Sukh · 22 Nov 2009 at 13:25

I had a strong dose of anti-inflammatory pills, and managed to sleep on a bag of peas instead of a pillow to keep swelling down. It is hurting down the left side and up around my neck, but is manageable.
I guess not seeing it coming and being relaxed (and not bracing) helped, but looking to the right might explain why the left side of my back is in pain.

The_Dark_Side · 22 Nov 2009 at 13:26

Sukh said:
I had a strong dose of anti-inflammatory pills, and managed to sleep on a bag of peas instead of a pillow to keep swelling down. It is hurting down the left side and up around my neck, but is manageable.
I guess not seeing it coming and being relaxed (and not bracing) helped, but looking to the right might explain why the left side of my back is in pain.

Have you been checked out by a doc?
If not, do it asap.
Better to be safe than sorry.

Shimmyhill · 22 Nov 2009 at 13:37

InvaderGIR said:
Really? If you have swapped details then there is no need for police involvement.

Police only get involved for injury, road blocked, bad driving, drink driving.

If it is a simple bump and details exchanged it doesn't have to be reported to Police.

And if you ever have to report it cant be done on the phone - has to be to a policeman in person to complete the accident book.

Sukh · 22 Nov 2009 at 14:41

The_Dark_Side said:
Have you been checked out by a doc?
If not, do it asap.
Better to be safe than sorry.

Yup, went to A&E last night, timed it between the late evening mums with kids that won't pee/poop/sleep and kicking out time so got seen in half hour. Nice Doctor said it will be moderate from her examination but she cannot really say at all as it is one of those things you have to sleep on and everyone reacts differently. Also where I got the anti-inflammatory pills from.