In a crash- settling without getting insurance company involved(or not?)

^CwAzY^

I was in a crash early this morning which was entirely my fault. I crashed into the back of a nigerian mans car at traffic lights, anyway there was no damage done to my car and just some scratches to his. We decided not to call the gardai and I gave him my insurance details/name/address/car reg, he gave me his name/address/car reg. I decided then I didn't want to lose my no claims bonus so I asked him could we settle this without getting my insurance involved, he agreed and went off and got a quote.

Anyway he rang me this evening and €1400 was his first quote, then he said another garage quoted him €480 (hmmmm).. anyway I was going to give him the money but then on the phone he asked for a document from me admitting liability to the accident, I refused and asked him what he needed that for if we weren't getting the insurance company involved, and he said 'oh its for my own records'.

I'm just wondering what he's up to - Is he trying to get money off me AND money off the insurance company? I'm afraid to give him any money now out of my own pocket because he has my insurance details Any advice REALLY appreciated, thank you.

Rudolph Claus

Why did you give him all your info, if it was such a minor incident.

You should have told him your not exchanging any info as it was such a minor incident. (This was minor, yeah? just scratches?) If he wasnt happy with you driving off without exchanging any info you should just have let him call the guards.Sure hes nigerian, of course hes out to scam you. Tell him your not giving him anything. Definitely dont sign anything for him. And how can a few scratches cost E1400. (You definitely didnt knock his bumper off?)

Im sure other boardies will offer better advice soon. Are you female by the way?

ibanez

Give him the €480 and tell him to **** off.If the Gaurds were not involved and the cars were moved from the scene i dont think it can be proved that you even had an accident.Like Nuttzy said it could not cost that much to repair his car €480 sounds much more realistic.

themessiah

Yeah I would be very careful especially when dealing with a Nigerian . Seems abit steep for a minor bump (how minor was it) Ask him for the name of the garage or better still ask him to get a quote faxed to you directly from the garage to you , however its worth nothing that I got hit at traffic lights a month back at minor speed from the back but it did 1100 euro worth of damage , had to get a whole new bumper plus back wing re-spray.

^CwAzY^

I don't want to give him the €480 now because I think he's trying to claim off my insurance aswell.. He has my details and all I know I made a mistake but it's too late now

themessiah

Yeah sound like he is trying to claim of you twice , dont give him a letter anyway but give him a ring to see what you can sort out , does he have like your policy number etc...

^CwAzY^

Thanks for the replies people..
Yeah he has all my insurance details, I've decided I'd rather let him claim it off my insurance than give him cash, then he definitely can't scam me..

^CwAzY^

The only thing I'm afraid of is if he will damage his car more to get more money off my insurance.. I took pictures of the damage done to his car with my digital camera and he knows this.. so I am just gonna ring my insurance company tomorrow and ask them for more advice!

FX Meister

Can you post the pics here? Have you offered to get the car fixed yourself. Sunds racist but I wouldn't trust him at all. Did he have insurance? Find this out if you can, get the policy number off his disc and confirm it's real. If he has no insurance you can just laugh in his face. I'd be wary of him claiming off your insurance as they will easily approve his claim and you will pay for it in the long run anyway.

BrianD

If you settle up outside insurance , make sure you get him to sign a letter that the payment is a full and final settlement. If you don't, he can go at you again.

mike65

No more Nigerian=scam crap, or I'll start suggesting all Micks are drunk and thick racists! Okay?

Mike.

seamus

BrianD wrote:

If you settle up outside insurance , make sure you get him to sign a letter that the payment is a full and final settlement. If you don't, he can go at you again.

Yep. Don't even consider giving him any money until he's signed such a piece of paper.

PauloMN

Can we guess what he was driving?

My guess: '91 Nissan Sunny

On a serious note - your NCB will be protected if your policy is worth its salt, so I wouldn't worry about a claim for under €1000 off it. Most will be protected for €3k to €4k these days. Talk to your ins. co.

jim_bob

ring your insurance company and explain to them what happen and tell them you want to settle it without claiming off your insurance
happen to my gf before and they sent her out a form so both parties could sign it and the other partie then could not claim off the insurance as they knew she had allready settled up with the other person

unkel

^CwAzY^ wrote:

garage quoted him €480 (hmmmm).. anyway I was going to give him the money but then on the phone he asked for a document from me admitting liability to the accident, I refused and asked him what he needed that for if we weren't getting the insurance company involved, and he said 'oh its for my own records'

Yeah, for his own records, right :rolleyes:

^CwAzY^ wrote:

The only thing I'm afraid of is if he will damage his car more to get more money off my insurance.. I took pictures of the damage done to his car with my digital camera and he knows this.. so I am just gonna ring my insurance company tomorrow and ask them for more advice!

Good thing you took pictures. Ring your insurance company and frankly explain everything unless the guy signs a statement as Brian and Seamus suggested

Our man in Havana

Find out if he has any insurance. If he is not insured, it will be very interesting if he tries to claim off you. He would get SFA.

HelterSkelter

Give him the €480, bring a witness with you when you hand it over. Actually give him a bank draft, then you have proof you paid him. Get him to sign something to say that the 480 is for the damage caused in the accident and he will not be claiming off your insurance for it.

In any case I reckon if he tries to claim off your policy you can just deny any knowledge of the accident (assuming he has no witness).

HelterSkelter

Nuttzy wrote:

Why did you give him all your info, if it was such a minor incident.

You have to give your details when an accident happens, it's the law.

Nuttzy wrote:

Sure hes nigerian, of course hes out to scam you.

And CwAzY is Irish, he must have been drink driving.

HelterSkelter

PauloMN wrote:

On a serious note - your NCB will be protected if your policy is worth its salt, so I wouldn't worry about a claim for under €1000 off it. Most will be protected for €3k to €4k these days. Talk to your ins. co.

I still wouldn't claim unless it is absolutely necessary. True, your policy is protected but if you decide to move company they will put down that you had a claim and you lose your NCB. So by claiming you are really commiting to staying with the same company for another 3 years or so.

Big Nelly

Why not go to the Garda and explain the situation...just because the Garda are involved in an accident doesnt mean automatically you have to claim using insurance...the Garda dont mind as long as nothing iligal is going on...explaini to them and get them to call over to him....that will soon sort out any probs!!

maidhc

Asking the guards seems like a good idea. It is really difficult to know what to o if you suspect the other party is being dishonest.

I know a few people who have had to deal with these types (and they werent exactly Nigerian), and found the easiest thing to do was to let it go to the insc. co.

Either way, those photographs you took are valuable. Get them printed in a lab and bring them everywhere you go.

Bogger77

First step, go to your nearest station, and report the accident. I'm guessing that he didn't give you his insurance details? Mention this to the garda, say you suspect that the guy is trying to commit fraud (use those words), ask the "victim" to call into the station with his details, for your records.

Now, contact your insurance company, explain it to them.

Now, get your self a solicitor, tell yer man that all must go through the solicitor or insurance company. I'll bet you'll see things change

Big Nelly

I wouldnt think you will need to go near insurance company...if he does try to claim against you they will certainly contact you....make sure to get the Garda onto it....they will call around for a word....could be an illegal so that will solve all your problems:D(please note this is a joke) ....anyway if Garda call over make sure you tell them that youa re willing to pay the 400 euro and give them a cheque to hadn over to him....everything will be sorted then.....the Garda willc all over...tell him to accept money and just make sure to cross cheque!!

Bogger77

Big Nelly wrote:

I wouldnt think you will need to go near insurance company...if he does try to claim against you they will certainly contact you....make sure to get the Garda onto it....they will call around for a word....could be an illegal so that will solve all your problems:D(please note this is a joke) ....anyway if Garda call over make sure you tell them that youa re willing to pay the 400 euro and give them a cheque to hadn over to him....everything will be sorted then.....the Garda willc all over...tell him to accept money and just make sure to cross cheque!!

Wrong, you should always contact your insurance company, it's part of the procedure. They can help sort it out for you.

You need to report it to the cops, for the paperwork if nothing else, and to your insurance company so they can help and advice you.

prospect

Arrange to meet him and give him the €480.

Hav two identical documents ready. Eash should read as follows:

RE: Accident involving Cwazy (car details) and MR.Bloggs (car details) on X date at X place.

I Cwazy acknowledge the above accident occured at said date and place between myself and MR.Bloggs. I accept that the damage to my vehicle was neglibable. This incident has been fully and satisfactoraly resovled and no further action shall be taken against Mr.Bloggs.
Signed:______________ Date: ____________

I Mr.Bloggs acknowledge the above accident occured at said date and place between myself and Cwazy. I accept that the damage to my vehicle has been paid for in full by cash. This incident has been fully and satisfactoraly resovled and no further action shall be taken against Cwazy.
Signed:______________ Date: ____________


You both sign both copies of the document, and you each keep one. Also, you will notice that nowhere in the document do you admit liability.

The General

Just rob his car then he can't prove anything!

LostinBlanch

Big Nelly wrote:

I wouldnt think you will need to go near insurance company...if he does try to claim against you they will certainly contact you

Not so Nelly. My oulfella had some woman run into his legally parked car. Apparently she was going to drive off but a passing guard made her leave her details under the wiper (.he also recorded the incident). So the oulfella rings up the woman and she's nice as pie and pays for all damage in full. No problem except for the fact that when he went to renew his insurance 8 months later they told him that he lost his ncb. She had claimed against him and been paid! :eek:

So he went back to the guard and got the insurance company to confirm his story. He got his ncb back but heard nothing about the woman and whether the insurance company or the guards were going after her for fraud.

Prospect, it's a good letter that you have done but I would also make sure that it covers any "medical" problems on Mr Bloggs behalf.

prospect

LostinBlanch wrote:

Prospect, it's a good letter that you have done but I would also make sure that it covers any "medical" problems on Mr Bloggs behalf.

Good call.

magpie

Next time he calls you tell him you'll see him in court if he likes.

If your insurance company calls you deny all knowledge and instruct them not to process the claim.

No guards were there, there were no witnesses - the whole thing will disappear in a week or two.

Pay him €480? are you nuts? I doubt his car was worth that.

quarryman

MR. Bloggs?

Sounds like a fake name to me. Looks like he's scamming you.

Jumpy

quarryman wrote:

MR. Bloggs?

Sounds like a fake name to me. Looks like he's scamming you.

THeres always one

69 mustang

To cover your self you must report it to your nearest cop shop with in 48 hrs,
or you could be done for leaving the scene of an accident.
Hand over no money if your not sure of the situation, that's what insurance is there for.;
As the other party may not be legally fit to be on the road at that time and could end up too busy in courts for those matters to claim off you.


Before the PC fairy writes in this goes for Irish and non:)

Rudolph Claus

To cover your self you must report it to your nearest cop shop with in 48 hrs,
or you could be done for leaving the scene of an accident.

Is it an accident though. You`d hardly call it an accident, if it was just a slight tip. More of a "wee mistake" or a "minor incident". Surely even the insurance companies wouldnt classify this as an "accident"?

Just a few things maybe the OP could clear up:
What kind of car had the nigerian lad got?

Is he a working nigerian doctor type in a decent car, or the type in the ould `92 Sunny/civic?

Is it worth repairing his damage, for example if its an ould banger and only scratches most people wouldnt bother patching it up, so if hes looking for money to fix up an ould banger, i`d be weary of what else he wants. If its a decent car, then obviously he would want to genuinely patch up scratches.

Is he definitely insured legally and properly?

FX Meister

So how about those pics? Are you going to show them?

Hotblack Desiato

69 mustang wrote:

To cover your self you must report it to your nearest cop shop with in 48 hrs,
or you could be done for leaving the scene of an accident.

No, you only have to report it to the Gardai if anyone was injured, or the property of a third party (not present at the scene) was damaged.

If you've exchaged details with all other parties involved in the accident, and there was property damage only, you've met your legal obligations. It might still be a good idea to inform the Gardai - it depends - but they certainly don't want to be called out to every minor tip. If there's a good case against the other driver e.g. breaking a light then definitely involve them.

Supercell

^CwAzY^ , you are clearly being scammed, frankly tell him to fook off.

There is no Garda record, no witnesses, hes is making an unreasonable repair cost..if he was genuine it would be reasonable, thus he's taking the piss.

Fook him, he has no evidance you caused the damage, tbh i'd say fook off yer not getting a penny at this point.

FX Meister

So ^CwAzY^, how about them flicks? Or is it all made up?

mrbungle

Who cares if you have photos of your car and his car.

1 word : Whiplash.

YOU HIT HIM !! HE CLAIMS WHIPLASH !!

Its how Irish people have been scamming the system here for years. Try and settle with him for cash or else it's 10 grand plus !!!


I know a girl who got 12k from a rear ending minor accident. Nothing wrong with her except a smug and extremely annoying smile from all the cash she stole through a bogus claim.

Settle asap.

Rudolph Claus

What do you want her to settle exactly? Theres nothing to settle. How can he claim whiplash from such a minor tip which only resulted in scratches, and couldnt have possibly caused whiplash.

How can the nigerian scammer proove he has suffered whiplash with a minor tip? Its obvious he couldnt have. The insurance calims process is tightened up alot now from them days, and he wouldnt get away with a bogus whiplash claim.

mrbungle

It still goes on believe me.

magpie

I know a girl who got 12k from a rear ending

I never knew it could be that expensive

unkel

Nuttzy wrote:

How can he claim whiplash from such a minor tip which only resulted in scratches, and couldnt have possibly caused whiplash

Easy, get GP to write a wee note

Remember the case a few years ago where a man in a LWB Transit got rear ended by a woman in a Fiesta. Speed upon impact was 3mph. There was no material damage. Van man claimed for whiplash, he got £30,000.00 :mad:

landser

if you haven't notified your insurance company yet, do it now. it is a condition precedent to all policies that accidents be notified immediately. if you don't do this the company can refuse cover for failure to notify.

Pay him €480 if you like. This won't stop him from claiming off you, however. He can still come after with a personal injury claim, or indeed for aditional repair monies if he can vouch for them. If he is uninsured he can still claim from your insurance. The only time his insurance cover is relevant is if both parties are uninsured and it a Motor Insurers Bureau action.

The speed at impact does not determine whether he was injured or not, but may be illustrative in detrmining the extent of the injury. No doctor will say that any of his subjective complaints are invented. Further, whiplash can come on several days after an accident. THe fact he was ok at the time doesn't mean that he wasn't sore two or three days later.

In effect, if he claims, he'll win and get compo. You paying him €480, even if he saigns a disclaimer, will not be a bar to his referring this matter to PIAB. disclaimers aren't worth the paper they're written on. In the absence of legal advice to the other party regarding what he is signing, the court will ignore it, as will your insurer, although they might use it as a negotiation tool.

69 mustang

ninja900 wrote:

No, you only have to report it to the Gardai if anyone was injured, or the property of a third party (not present at the scene) was damaged.

If some one is going to pull a scam whats to say he won't get the old stiff neck when he gets home.