Small bump don't want to involve insurance advice

positivenote

Hi all,
Was in a small collision tonight and car has small amount of body damage... Nothing a bit of panel beating won't solve. I'm looking for advice.
The other lad reversed into the rear side of my car and it was clearly his fault. I got out and asked didn't he see me to which he said no. I said that we could sort it out between us as there is only peripheral damage and he didn't want to get his insurance involved. I took his mobile, photographed his reg number and got his name. What is the next stage? And say if he refuses to answer his phone or had given me a wrong number? Just looking for advice on my options as I don't want to be left out of pocket
Thanks

coylemj

You didn't mention the most important piece of data that you should have gotten - his insurance company name and policy number. Did you take a photo of his insurance disc?

It's all very well him saying that he doesn't want to get his insurance company involved but that's really a decision to make when you present him with the estimate to repair the damage and if he can't cough up, you will have to claim off his insurance.

ThePower11

Insurance details must be taken at the scene of an accident OP, he could have given you a false name and number and he could sell that car tomorrow.

positivenote

ThePower11 wrote: »

Insurance details must be taken at the scene of an accident OP, he could have given you a false name and number and he could sell that car tomorrow.

Well this could be a disaster so... Is there no way of tracking down insurance details with a car reg?

Lantus

positivenote wrote: »

Hi all,
Was in a small collision tonight and car has small amount of body damage... Nothing a bit of panel beating won't solve. I'm looking for advice.
The other lad reversed into the rear side of my car and it was clearly his fault. I got out and asked didn't he see me to which he said no. I said that we could sort it out between us as there is only peripheral damage and he didn't want to get his insurance involved. I took his mobile, photographed his reg number and got his name. What is the next stage? And say if he refuses to answer his phone or had given me a wrong number? Just looking for advice on my options as I don't want to be left out of pocket
Thanks

In theory this is all well and good but this can often get very nasty very quickly.

You have around 10 days to make a claim with his insurance company before they wont entertain you. I hope you got his details??!?

Get a few quotes as to the cost from your garage of choice (it is your car and dont let the other party force you down some back alley just because it's cheaper. It's not their car. And inform the other party straight away. It may be only a few hundred quid it may be much more.

The trouble here is that you have no legal way of making them pay and if you get strung along until the claim period (usually 10 days) is over then you cannot go back to the insurance company. So make sure you make it very clear they have 7 days or whatever to get you the money. If it's a cheque then they need to allow time for clearing.

No need for guards to be involved and you have pics so that should be ok unless the other person decides to contest the claim. (were there any witnesses)

I have had two instances with a family member and a friend who both suffered damage by others and were begged not to go through insurance. When the bills were produced (1200 & 350 for each one) they went ballistic and started swearing down the phone and making all sorts of claims like they were being ripped off. Trying to do people a favour can be tricky when you need to ask them for money. It often ends badly. One of the people above who we were doing a favour for threatened to attack me if I stepped onto their property ever again and even suggested that he would get the guards on me??? Thats the thanks you get I suppose. As if it's my fault the damage was so great it cost that much!

both went through the insurance, an intermediary that is there for a reason.

If you can resolve this fair play but remember you are the victim and we all have insurance for a reason.

oldyouth

Firstly, notify your own insurance company. You have no idea how often these things get turned around 180 degrees and then and allegation is made that you are at fault. A notification will not impact your insurance but will protect you in the event that things go sour.

Give the other person a call NOW and say you are getting an estimate for him, but could he give you his insurance policy number as you forgot to get it at the scene. If he gives it to you, it appears he is genuine. If he is reluctant, you then know you have a problem

working fool

Lantus wrote: »

positivenote wrote: »

Hi all,
Was in a small collision tonight and car has small amount of body damage... Nothing a bit of panel beating won't solve. I'm looking for advice.
The other lad reversed into the rear side of my car and it was clearly his fault. I got out and asked didn't he see me to which he said no. I said that we could sort it out between us as there is only peripheral damage and he didn't want to get his insurance involved. I took his mobile, photographed his reg number and got his name. What is the next stage? And say if he refuses to answer his phone or had given me a wrong number? Just looking for advice on my options as I don't want to be left out of pocket
Thanks

In theory this is all well and good but this can often get very nasty very quickly.

You have around 10 days to make a claim with his insurance company before they wont entertain you. I hope you got his details??!?

Get a few quotes as to the cost from your garage of choice (it is your car and dont let the other party force you down some back alley just because it's cheaper. It's not their car. And inform the other party straight away. It may be only a few hundred quid it may be much more.

The trouble here is that you have no legal way of making them pay and if you get strung along until the claim period (usually 10 days) is over then you cannot go back to the insurance company. So make sure you make it very clear they have 7 days or whatever to get you the money. If it's a cheque then they need to allow time for clearing.

No need for guards to be involved and you have pics so that should be ok unless the other person decides to contest the claim. (were there any witnesses)

I have had two instances with a family member and a friend who both suffered damage by others and were begged not to go through insurance. When the bills were produced (1200 & 350 for each one) they went ballistic and started swearing down the phone and making all sorts of claims like they were being ripped off. Trying to do people a favour can be tricky when you need to ask them for money. It often ends badly. One of the people above who we were doing a favour for threatened to attack me if I stepped onto their property ever again and even suggested that he would get the guards on me??? Thats the thanks you get I suppose. As if it's my fault the damage was so great it cost that much!

both went through the insurance, an intermediary that is there for a reason.

If you can resolve this fair play but remember you are the victim and we all have insurance for a reason.

Bang-on
My sisters car was wrote off in an accident with a family friend who hit her while driving with her window froze over .
Begged not to get d guards
Said they,d pay to replace d car
01 ford focus 50,000 miles her pride a joy
Her husband bought it for her before he passed away .
We got it valued at 2.500€
A week passed her dad said no way where they paying that .
Now the rumors around is that my sister was drunk !
That's why she dident call d guards !
People are scum when it comes to this .
Allways allways ring the guards
Even if ur in the wrong .