Collision whilst driving alone on a Learner's Permit - insurance?

d372472

Yesterday I was involved in a minor collision with another vehicle whilst driving alone. I currently hold a Learner's Permit with 0 penalty points and I have a current insurance policy. Neither myself nor the other driver were personally injured.

We exchanged insurance details and decided he would speak to a mechanic to assess the damage before either of us proceeded to contact our insurance companies. The exterior damage to the other gentleman's car was minor however upon consulting his mechanic he was quoted €850 to repair the damage. The impact was on the rear-right bumper of the car and apparently there is some internal damage around the spare-wheel compartment.

Initially I had figured it would be relatively cheap to fix and it would be easier to pay the mechanic's fees rather than deal with it via our insurance companies however €850 seems fairly steep.

I know that it is illegal to drive with a Learner's Permit without a qualified driver however I chose to do it anyway in this instance. I believe my insurance is still valid (as Third Party, not TPFT or Comp.) however I am just looking for people's opinions as to how this would most likely play out?

If the other driver was to claim against my insurance I presume the best case scenario is my insurer pays and my premiums go up a little next year?

What else could happen? If the Gardaí become involved I understand they could prosecute me for driving unaccompanied however I don't believe the insurance company can initiate this prosecution? I also understand that the insurance company could pay the claim and then proceed to sue me for the amount paid as I was driving unaccompanied?

I guess I'm trying to figure out what the worst case scenario is here. Thanks for any input.

djimi

As far as I know unless it is otherwise specified in your policy youre insurance company will not care whether you had a driver with you or not. I also dont think the Gardai can/will prosecute unless it was a very serious accident. This is not legal advise however, and if you claim and get sued by your insurance company or prosecuted by the guards I take no responsibilty!

Just to be clear, if you claim your insurance will most likely go up by a lot more than "a little" next year. If you can pay the costs yourself at all then if it were me I would probably try to. You must inform your insurance company either way; if the other driver were to claim for injuries down the line and you havent informed them then they may tell you to go jump, but you dont have to let them get directly involved or pay out and money.

lau1247

what is your excess??

if it is say for example 500, you might as well go the whole way..

Zubeneschamali

I don't think the insurance will care about the unaccompanied driving. I think it will be much cheaper in the long run to pay the gentleman his €850.

ottostreet

you should just pay the 850, and not take any risks with guards, or the insurance company.

Gophur

Contact your Insurance Company, do not rely on Internet here-say!

R.O.R

And maybe next time, just stay off the road unless you have an instructor or an experienced driver next to you - or a drivers licence.




















Neeeeeiiiiggggghhhh.......took a long while for my steeds "voice" to reach you from way up here.

keithclancy

Better off getting a credit union loan to pay it off.

If your Insurance pays out, think of it as a very high interest loan whereby along with that they dress you up in a gimp suit + ball gag and give you a good raping on top.

Just make sure that once its paid you both sign a document indicating that the claim can go no further after that and the matter is closed.

Otherwise yerman could come back in 2 weeks time with neck pain .

Forest Master

Gophur wrote: »

here-say!

Hearsay.

Captain Commie

erm, if you are with aviva or any of their brokers then you will be told to cough up yourself.

I remember reading my policy when i was a learner (2 years ago) and it mentioned that must have valid driver with me else insurance is void.

Ask the person to take it to a mechanic that you trust for a second opinion, there is a high chance that the other guy is taking the mick outta you! did you tell them that you were the learner on the car? if so then he may be trying to take you for more than what its worth.

You really need to read ur policy and make sure that it does not mention anything along the lines of it being invalid if you do not have a licensed, insured driver with you.

daveharnett

Op, did the gardai attend the scene? If not, then I wouldn't worry about potential conviction.

As for the insurers, I wouldn't be mentioning the fact that you were alone unless you are asked, but I'd be very surprised if it became an issue.

fergpie

Id leave the insurance compaies out of it. Your premium could increase alot as u still are on a permit and have a claim. However dont just hand over the €850 unless u get a copy of the invoice/receipt jus to be sure he's not playin you...

Keith186

Well I think if you have not built up a no claims bonus you might be better claiming.
You will be covered even if driving alone afaik. The Irish insurance federation clarified this when the permit came in.
It would be worth getting a new quite on Monday under an 'alias' with a claim for €850 and no no claims bonus to see what renewal premium you might be expecting.

djimi

Keith186 wrote: »

Well I think if you have not built up a no claims bonus you might be better claiming.
You will be covered even if driving alone afaik. The Irish insurance federation clarified this when the permit came in.
It would be worth getting a new quite on Monday under an 'alias' with a claim for €850 and no no claims bonus to see what renewal premium you might be expecting.

I disagree. A claim affects more than your NCB. If you have a claim then you probably wont be able to change insurance company for the next 3 years or so. They might load for next you based on the claim, even if there is no NCB to affect.

Personally for the sake of what will probably be €500 when the excess is taken into account I would get a credit union loan out and deal with it outside the insurance. Its worth it for a clean insurance record.

Keith186

Can't hurt getting a quote with a €850 claim against you and nil no claims discount.

Good luck anyway, hopefully that'll be your last accident.

hondasam

keithclancy wrote: »

Better off getting a credit union loan to pay it off.

If your Insurance pays out, think of it as a very high interest loan whereby along with that they dress you up in a gimp suit + ball gag and give you a good raping on top.

Just make sure that once its paid you both sign a document indicating that the claim can go no further after that and the matter is closed.

Otherwise yerman could come back in 2 weeks time with neck pain .

I think you have three years after an accident to make a claim.