Crashed car

jaffa20

Hi all,

So last friday, my mx5 skid when i was changing lanes and went sideways into crash barrier. Got it looked at and seems repairs and parts are going to be too much to do up myself:( Thankfully nobody else was involved and wasn't hurt!

Insurance company are sending out accessor this week and will probably be write off according to the garage.

Really not sure what's gonna happen now come renewal. Have 2 ncb at the moment, would have been 3 in february. I think i have step back ncb so does that mean i'm back to square one?

I'm 26 and was paying 1k for fully comp on the mx5. Do you think my premium will go way up no matter what car i choose?

Was thinking of getting a 01 astra 1.4 or something along those lines. Gonna be depressing after driving the mx5. Was looking at volvo s40 1.6/1.8 but the insurance will probably **** me over on this but it's not exactly a high risk car.

The annoying thing is, i probably wont know what the insurance company are gonna charge until february come renewal. Am i stuck with my own insurance company because of the claim?

So depressed over the whole thing but i guess it could have been much worse!

MugMugs

Your insurer can tell you what brackets they load under and how much of a loading they apply to these brackets. It's a very rough guide but get this and you could work out if its worth your while or not.

CiniO

jaffa20 wrote: »

So last friday, my mx5 skid when i was changing lanes and went sideways into crash barrier.

I love the way people describe it.
It was driver who was changine lanes, but it was car who skided


OP step back usually means at least 2 years of your NCB up, so considering you had only 2 you most likely will end up with none.

Nissan doctor

Your insurance is likely to go up a fair bit anyway as you've got a write off claim. I though step back was only relevant if you have a full NCB, i.e 5 years +.
I think your going to be back to square 1 unfortunately so a small low risk car but even that may end up being over 1k if your back to 0 NCB:(

IMO the best thing to do is assess how the accident happened and gain experience. Cars don't just skid when changing lanes, did you swerve too fast? Did you lift off suddenly mid maneuver, Are your tyres bald etc.

jaffa20

Yep looks like square one then. Just hoping it wont be a ridiculous premium.

Was probably going too fast for the conditions, i'll admit that but was under the speed limit. The tail end just went unfortunately and all just happened too quickly to regain control. Car hit of barrier and went back on to road. No damage to rear at all but front took a big whack.

Will deffo learn from it.

lomb

Was it wet? The tail end on some cars let go at the worst possible time. Bad tires make it worse.
In a few years consider an Audi quattro of some kind. My TT is totally balanced when it lets go in the wet and completely controllable however Im not sure if its been modded from stock.
Also try xsdirect, you trade a high excess for a lower premium.

Nissan doctor

lomb wrote: »

Was it wet? The tail end on some cars let go at the worst possible time. Bad tires make it worse.
In a few years consider an Audi quattro of some kind. My TT is totally balanced when it lets go in the wet and completely controllable however Im not sure if its been modded from stock.

This is the problem I'm trying to get at....Tail ends NEVER 'just' let go.....the driver does something which causes it to go.

jaffa20

It was wet. I probably did do something Nissandoctor. The tail end was always prone to swinging out on cornering in wet weather but this was at low speeds but i was always able to regain control. The back tyres would spin sometimes too when taking off at lights in the wet.

The crash happened in an uphill section and i was probably accellerating when moving into the overtaking lane. The tyres on my car are not the best brand. They came with the car and i never changed them apart from one on the back which got a puncture.

Tbh, it was probably a multitude of factors that caused it to happen, including me.

Am i stuck with the same insurer for the next few years because of this?

TestTransmission

How much would it cost ya to buy one again?

Nissan doctor

jaffa20 wrote: »

It was wet. I probably did do something Nissandoctor. The tail end was always prone to swinging out on cornering in wet weather but this was at low speeds but i was always able to regain control. The back tyres would spin sometimes too when taking off at lights in the wet.

The crash happened in an uphill section and i was probably accellerating when moving into the overtaking lane. The tyres on my car are not the best brand. They came with the car and i never changed them apart from one on the back which got a puncture.

Tbh, it was probably a multitude of factors that caused it to happen, including me.

Am i stuck with the same insurer for the next few years because of this?

I wasn't getting at you, I was replying to lomb's post giving the impression that the tail end on RWD cars will just randomly lose traction without warning.


Your not stuck with the same insurer at all, you can still go where you want and should still shop around come renewal time but unfortunalty you won't be in a strong position....:(

jaffa20

TestTransmission wrote: »

How much would it cost ya to buy one again?

Not sure. It was in pretty good nick. Just passed nct and only had 60k miles. They wont touch me on another one for a while on one anyway so will just get a low risk car to build up my ncb again. Might get a classic one in the future as a second car as i miss it already:(

Compton

Would it not be cheaper to say nothing and buy another one?

jaffa20

shblob wrote: »

Would it not be cheaper to say nothing and buy another one?

Bit late now:) Can they still increase the premium cos they know about the crash even if i dont claim? i considered it but then though the guardai are going to tell the council about the crash barrier anyway who will claim on my insurance.

MugMugs

They can only load a claim if you claim. That said, council are going to subrogate on the barrier so that will be a claim.

jaffa20

MugMugs wrote: »

They can only load a claim if you claim. That said, council are going to subrogate on the barrier so that will be a claim.

Yeah the guardai took my details and just left but didn't say they would tell the council. Probably will though and my insurance company already know it's damaged.

TestTransmission

jaffa20 wrote: »

Not sure. It was in pretty good nick. Just passed nct and only had 60k miles. They wont touch me on another one for a while on one anyway so will just get a low risk car to build up my ncb again. Might get a classic one in the future as a second car as i miss it already:(

You must have some idea,what year was it?

TestTransmission

TestTransmission wrote: »

You must have some idea,what year was it?

Indeed, what you paid for it even and how long you have it.

jaffa20

TestTransmission wrote: »

You must have some idea,what year was it?

RoverJames wrote: »

Indeed, what you paid for it even and how long you have it.

Car is a 02. Just checked and it's insured for 6.5k. Only had it over a year. Think i paid 6k. Excess of 500 afaik.

I guess i'll just see what insurance company says. If they give ok value, i'll probably take it.

Was just checking out xsdirect. Got a quote on a 1.8 for 1,300. They don't take into account previous claims etc. Excess of 1,000euro for that quote. I suppose i could look into them if i'm been raped come renewal.

n97 mini

lomb wrote: »

In a few years consider an Audi quattro of some kind.

Strange advice. OP doesn't need an Audi, he just needs to drive a bit more carefully.

glic71rods46t0

n97 mini wrote: »

Strange advice. OP doesn't need an Audi, he just needs to drive a bit more carefully.

Talk about kicking a guy when he's down!!!!
No need for a post like that at all!
OP - I had a near miss yesterday at the end of the M50. My own human failings was the cause - the main cause in every accident.
I am driving a fair bit longer than you and never had a claim but I was very nearly humbled yesterday with just inches to spare - don't listen to the "holier than thou" types on here - some people are just luckier than others and no-one is immune from having an accident.
Keep you chin up and don't allow anyone get you down, accidents are part and parcel of driving. You did the right thing and behaved like a man - nobody can ask for better than that!

Nissan doctor

dnsyguh7clz4jw wrote: »

Talk about kicking a guy when he's down!!!!
No need for a post like that at all!
OP - I had a near miss yesterday at the end of the M50. My own human failings was the cause - the main cause in every accident.
I am driving a fair bit longer than you and never had a claim but I was very nearly humbled yesterday with just inches to spare - don't listen to the "holier than thou" types on here - some people are just luckier than others and no-one is immune from having an accident.
Keep you chin up and don't allow anyone get you down, accidents are part and parcel of driving. You did the right thing and behaved like a man - nobody can ask for better than that!

I don't think that was the point of the post or anyones post.

I think its more to do with the strangeness of suggesting the OP get 4wd and then they won't have an accident like they had.

IMO if you have an accident caused by a driving error related to a RWD car. Going out and buying a 4wd car is not solving the problem or learning anything from it.

Like saying 'my car keeps wheel spinning away from traffic lights, I'll buy a car with traction control to stop it happening' instead of just learning how to control the throttle.

MugMugs

dnsyguh7clz4jw wrote: »

n97 mini wrote: »

Strange advice. OP doesn't need an Audi, he just needs to drive a bit more carefully.

Talk about kicking a guy when he's down!!!!
No need for a post like that at all!
OP - I had a near miss yesterday at the end of the M50. My own human failings was the cause - the main cause in every accident.
I am driving a fair bit longer than you and never had a claim but I was very nearly humbled yesterday with just inches to spare - don't listen to the "holier than thou" types on here - some people are just luckier than others and no-one is immune from having an accident.
Keep you chin up and don't allow anyone get you down, accidents are part and parcel of driving. You did the right thing and behaved like a man - nobody can ask for better than that!

I can't see any aspect of this thread where the OP has been given anything but friendly advice. Can you show who has been on the high horse?

L-M

MugMugs wrote: »

They can only load a claim if you claim. That said, council are going to subrogate on the barrier so that will be a claim.

I heard of a story in the UK where someone had their radio robbed out of their car, twice. The first two times they didn't claim, and the third time round it was stolen they claimed. He happened to mention it to the assesor and they refused to honour the claim then because he hadn't informed the insurance company. Apparently the risk + policy premium would of been higher.

Boots2006

Sorry to hear about your mishap OP.
It's almost certainly down to the tyres - they are all pretty good in the dry, but a bad tyre will be significantly worse in the wet. They tend to let go suddenly and it's very hard to correct a skid or to stop quickly.

I've gotten rid of the tyres on the last 2 cars I got and replaced them with a decent branded tyre. I can't stress this enough, and if you're on a tight budget, part worn top brands can be had for €50 fitted.

Another thing to think about is getting a car with ESP or DSC or stability control. This probably would have prevented your crash. It's a very impressive technology if you get to see it in action.

Merch

Nissan doctor wrote: »

This is the problem I'm trying to get at....Tail ends NEVER 'just' let go.....the driver does something which causes it to go.

Yes, Puts cheap tyres on it, in that case it can just go from under you I think.
No offence to the OP maybe this wasn't it at all. But from my own experience it makes a big difference. I still got some cheap tyres on the two rear wheels, was considering changing them to the front to wear them out, but am just gonna replace them (my spare is really worn so one of them will do for that). On a recent wet day, I was going through (2nd exit) a roundabout, and the car gave a noticeable shimmy (skid and release as I let off the accelerator, wasn't even going that fast), when the front ones were cheap it was scary, they were actually ok in the dry, but in the wet they are next to useless. The difference when I changed the front pair was noticeable, I dont drive hard in the wet anyway and if i had a car half/more decent then I have I would never consider putting the cheapest tyres on it.

Jesus Shaves

dnsyguh7clz4jw wrote: »

I had a near miss yesterday at the end of the M50. My own human failings was the cause - the main cause in every accident.

You really shouldn't blame yourself for every single accident that happens;)

Nissan doctor

Merch wrote: »

Yes, Puts cheap tyres on it, in that case it can just go from under you I think.
No offence to the OP maybe this wasn't it at all. But from my own experience it makes a big difference. I still got some cheap tyres on the two rear wheels, was considering changing them to the front to wear them out, but am just gonna replace them (my spare is really worn so one of them will do for that). On a recent wet day, I was going through (2nd exit) of a roundabout, and the car gave a noticeable shimmy, when the front ones were cheap it was scary, they are actually ok in the dry, but in the wet they are next to useless. The difference when I changed the front pair was noticeable, I dont drive hard in the wet anyway and if i had anything half/more decent then I have I would never consider putting the cheapest tyres on it.

Cheap tyres certainly don't help but tyres, and cars are inanimate objects, they do nothing whatsoever without the input of the breathing bag of water in the drivers seat.

Merch

bummer all the same

dr.fuzzenstein

jaffa20 wrote: »

It was wet. I probably did do something Nissandoctor. The tail end was always prone to swinging out on cornering in wet weather but this was at low speeds but i was always able to regain control. The back tyres would spin sometimes too when taking off at lights in the wet.

Well, my GF also drives an MX5 and told me on wet roundabouts you can end up facing the wrong way.
The thing with MX5'ses is that you got to put the best tires on them, a FWD with shoddy tires will understeer a lot, but any RWD car will get very tailhappy.
She has Michelins on it and try as I might I can't get it to spin it's rear wheels unless taking off at an angle and dropping the clutch on high revs.
An MX5 doesn't exactly have massive power, so shouldn't be tailhappy unless really wet or frosty.

Anan1

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Cheap tyres certainly don't help but tyres, and cars are inanimate objects, they do nothing whatsoever without the input of the breathing bag of water in the drivers seat.

That's true, but cheap tyres in the wet might catch me out where good tyres wouldn't.

challengemaster

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

An MX5 doesn't exactly have massive power, so shouldn't be tailhappy unless really wet or frosty.

They're very light though, which wouldn't help

Nissan doctor

Anan1 wrote: »

That's true, but cheap tyres in the wet might catch me out where good tyres wouldn't.

I agree 100%, the tyres may have a very low level of adhesion, but its still the driver who has to push them beyond their level of grip before they will slide. The car won't just slide out your driveway when its parked:D

maidhc

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Cheap tyres certainly don't help but tyres, and cars are inanimate objects, they do nothing whatsoever without the input of the breathing bag of water in the drivers seat.

A similar thing happened me, my Focus oversteered into a barrier at the blanchardstown/navan exit on the M50 going southbound. I had pretty decent Firestones. I was perhaps going too fast (i.e. were i motionless it could not have happened!), but noting extraordinary, and certainly not much above the 50k speedlimit. The road was like glass after it raining all morning, and I think that, a few stones kicked out onto the road, and lack of ABS all helped.

Given the amout of dead cars at that junction and the amount of skids people had while I was waiting for the AA, the road designers/Fingal/NRA have a lot to answer for.

challengemaster

Nissan doctor wrote: »

I agree 100%, the tyres may have a very low level of adhesion, but its still the driver who has to push them beyond their level of grip before they will slide. The car won't just slide out your driveway when its parked:D

I'm sure that's happened more than once during the winter

Nissan doctor

maidhc wrote: »

A similar thing happened me, my Focus oversteered into a barrier at the blanchardstown/navan exit on the M50 going southbound. I had pretty decent Firestones. I was perhaps going too fast (i.e. were i motionless it could not have happened!), but noting extraordinary, and certainly not much above the 50k speedlimit. The road was like glass after it raining all morning, and I think that, a few stones kicked out onto the road, and lack of ABS all helped.

Given the amout of dead cars at that junction and the amount of skids people had while I was waiting for the AA, the road designers/Fingal/NRA have a lot to answer for.

But along the same point, how many cars went through the junction without sliding/crashing? And how many go through every time it rains?

I'm not for one moment saying that there can't be any outside factors that can hugely add to the cause of an accident, but the simple fact is that if 95% of cars get through the same junction without crashing, that means that the 5% who do crash, did something wrong.

tittle mouse

op sorry to hear about your car crash. my best friend was in a similar situation a number of years back. Crashed car but because the car was only worth 2 grand it wasnt worth her while doing up. She rang the insurance company and was told that if she claimed her insurance would go up 20 to 40% at renewal. in the end she didnt claim but the insurance company did send out paperwork to be filled out, asking for details of the incident, she filled it in and sent it back and when it was time to renew her insurance it went down and she kept her ncbs!! but as far as i remember if the assesor comes out and you dont claim you could be liable for the cost of the assessor call out!!!

Also she hit a sign and the county council contacted her to know was she going to pay the damages or go through insurance so the c.c wont automatically contact insurance first.

Hopes this helps and if you need more info pm me

maidhc

Nissan doctor wrote: »

But along the same point, how many cars went through the junction without sliding/crashing? And how many go through every time it rains?

I'm not for one moment saying that there can't be any outside factors that can hugely add to the cause of an accident, but the simple fact is that if 95% of cars get through the same junction without crashing, that means that the 5% who do crash, did something wrong.

I think if 5% of cars that pass a junction get wiped out there is a major issue with it and it only matter of time before it claims someones life, but I take your point though.