Just Been Hit!

az2wp0sye65487

Just had a taxi run into the back of me this evening. I was stationary and he was only moving slowly, maybe 5 - 10 kmph... Dislodged the back bumper. It knocked back into place.

Just wondering what to do - it doesn't look like there is any damage.... But I'd like to have peace of mind.

I have his name, taxi plate no, car reg, insurance company name (but not policy number - blurry photo). I called the insurance co to check but was told the claims dept. finish at 8 and will start again at 8 in the morning.

I'm not out to get him but I can't afford to pay for any possible repairs. Does the insurance company organise for my car to be assessed or what???

Sorry for all the questions. First time in this situation!

Bring it to a panel beater place.

Gumbo

Do the following in this order :

1. Get a quote for the repair from a panel beater/crash repair centre/garage you know or trust.
2. Ring the Taxi driver and tell him the price you got for the repair and ask him would he like to pay himself or go through his insurance.

Depending on his answer you either :

• Meet up with him to collect cash or to provide him with a copy of the invoice to show your genuine.
• Ring his insurance company to arrange for their assessor to view your car if going through his insurance.

MugMugs

Call your insurer and let them deal with it. Or don't let them deal with. Call them.either way no.matter what.

Spook_ie

MugMugs wrote: »

Call your insurer and let them deal with it. Or don't let them deal with. Call them.either way no.matter what.

Just remember it's a no claims bonus not a no blame bonus that attaches to policies

L1011

Spook_ie wrote: »

Just remember it's a no claims bonus not a no blame bonus that attaches to policies

Depends entirely on the insurer.

Quinn, as was, would process your side of the claim, including getting an accident report, with zero impact if you weren't to blame. I suspect they weren't the only insurer that did this.

Probably even have the letter with "this incident does not impact your no-claims bonus" somewhere still from when Zurich refused to talk to me after I got rear-ended by a Zurich driver (as it happens, when Quinn called them they accepted the claim, liability, and my single quote for repairs within a few hours. Weird firm).

az2wp0sye65487

Why does my insurer need to be notified??

goz83

Enoch Putrid Ewe wrote: »

Why does my insurer need to be notified??

In case the taxi driver decides to strike at you. You'd be surprised what could be said. "HE REVERSED INTO ME". Tell the insurer, but say you don't want to process a claim, but want the report on record. It is illegal if you don't report it, or atleast against the terms of your policy.

az2wp0sye65487

But if I report it to his insurer... Isn't it on record with them?

martyc5674

First thing I'd be doing is calling the cops and reporting the accident... You should have done that there and then.
It Won't get anyone in trouble.

Then tomorrow morning have a look at the car and if your happy it's OK do SFA. Karma and all that.

If it's not OK go do what the other lads say... But if he says he's willing to pay for it maybe organise him to stump up before the repair work or he may changed his mind and your left with a bill.

VictorRomeo

Enoch Putrid Ewe wrote: »

Why does my insurer need to be notified??

They don't. Don't inform your insurer. And ignore all that crap about calling the cops. It's a small fender bender. You need to call his insurer - he has the liability. That's the very first thing you need to do - you should do this within 48 - 72 hours. They will arrange for an assessor to assess the damage, at a location convenient to you and/or at a body repair centre of your choice. They'll get a quote from the repair shop, repair the car and pay the repair shop. Ensure they provide you with a loan car for the duration of the repair.

Kristopherus

Enoch Putrid Ewe wrote: »

But if I report it to his insurer... Isn't it on record with them?

You should not report it to his ins. co. That his responsibility. You should report it to your own co. Give them the details of his ins. They will then follow up with his co.
BUT FIRST: Do as Kceire has advised. It may be the easiest out for everyone. Ins cos have a nasty habit of initiating and processing claims WITHOUT the policy-holders knowledge or consent.:(

VictorRomeo

If you report it to your insurer - I promise you - you will get a surprise when it comes time to renew. Regardless of the liability. Now, they will back down and claim that you claim got lost in the mix blah blah.... Your car will be sorted out quickest by calling his insurer.

az2wp0sye65487

I can't understand how there are so many different opinions on this tbh. Surely there is a set procedure of what to do in this situation?

I called his insurer just after the crash. Was informed by them that guards did not need to be involved if I didn't wish to involve them. They said that the claims dept would be open again at 8am and to call back then - which is what I'll do.

az2wp0sye65487

VictorRomeo wrote: »

If you report it to your insurer - I promise you - you will get a surprise when it comes time to renew. Regardless of the liability. Now, they will back down and claim that you claim got lost in the mix blah blah.... Your car will be sorted out quickest by calling his insurer.

FYI I'm not just looking to make a claim. All I want is to make sure there's no hidden damage to my car.

If there is then obviously I'll claim to have it repaired. If not then that's the end of it as far as I'm concerned. I don't wanna screw the guy for no reason.

_Kaiser_

martyc5674 wrote: »

First thing I'd be doing is calling the cops and reporting the accident... You should have done that there and then.
It Won't get anyone in trouble.

No point ringing the cops unless someone is injured. They won't be interested

Then tomorrow morning have a look at the car and if your happy it's OK do SFA. Karma and all that.

Depends on the OP's knowledge of cars. There could be damage he/she mightn't see or recognize as such if they don't know what/where to look. (I'm not a believer in Karma though I see it in the same vein as "unlucky 13 reg cars" etc)

If it's not OK go do what the other lads say... But if he says he's willing to pay for it maybe organise him to stump up before the repair work or he may changed his mind and your left with a bill.

If the taxi driver agrees to pay themselves then yes, get a quote, get the money from him with a receipt from you with wording to the effect of "this is received as full and final settlement -as agreed by both parties named below - to the road traffic accident between us on <whatever day, time and place>" and then go get your car fixed

In any case OP, call your insurer tomorrow morning to notify them - tell them you're handing it yourself for now but want it on record should there be a claim by him/his insurers.

Lantus

Enoch Putrid Ewe wrote: »

I can't understand how there are so many different opinions on this tbh. Surely there is a set procedure of what to do in this situation?

I called his insurer just after the crash. Was informed by them that guards did not need to be involved if I didn't wish to involve them. They said that the claims dept would be open again at 8am and to call back then - which is what I'll do.

Your right, gards are typically not involved for most accidents these days. only serious ones or where people get hurt.

You want to claim on his insurance as he was at fault. get an assessment and quote. I have had friends who had similar accidents and there was structural damage that cost quite a bit even though to look at it seemed fine. The cost of these things as always is generally high. €300-€1000 probably unless it really was just a tap.

You can ask the owner to settle out of insurance but beware because after 10 or so days insurance companies wont entertain you if you eventually go back to them to try to make a claim. The message is dont get strung along by promises to get you the money. If you havent' done this before (go out of insurance to settle) you'll probably find like most others that you get called names and accussed of trying to rob them.

I would not go down this road again because you try to do a favour and spend time getting quotes and ringing them and they just turn on you and make your life miserable. they will want to get the car fixed at some garage you have never heard of by a bloke who is the cheapest on the market. There will be no comeback or gurantee and no safety considerations. he resale value of your car is not a consideration. You can bet your life they would insist on the very best if so much of a sratch were to affect their vehicle. Remember that.

MugMugs

Spook_ie wrote: »

MugMugs wrote: »

Call your insurer and let them deal with it. Or don't let them deal with. Call them.either way no.matter what.

Just remember it's a no claims bonus not a no blame bonus that attaches to policies

Are you suggesting the OP not comply with his policy conditions?

MugMugs

OP take it from me. Irrespective of how you intend to proceed with this claim, report it to.your insurer and ignore those who say not to.

az2wp0sye65487

Ok so I called his insurer today and reported it. Back bumper looks loose in daylight. I'm able to move it up and down by hand!

Called my own insurer too just to make them aware. Dropping the car to an approved garage (approved by his insurer) on Monday morning to get checked out.

See what happens from there.

MugMugs

Enoch Putrid Ewe wrote: »

Ok so I called his insurer today and reported it. Back bumper looks loose in daylight. I'm able to move it up and down by hand!

Called my own insurer too just to make them aware. Dropping the car to an approved garage (approved by his insurer) on Monday morning to get checked out.

See what happens from there.

You are not obliged to facilitate his insurer. If you're not happy with their garage then you are entitled to go elsewhere. Also be conscious that any time lost in work etc as a result of you having to.get quotes for them is recoverable from them too.

az2wp0sye65487

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. Luckily enough I'm actually off work for a few says study leave next week and the garage isn't far from me so it's not too much of an inconvenience.

I'm fairly easy going. Like I said I'm not out to screw the other driver, just want my own car checked and repaired if needed.

Marlow

VictorRomeo wrote: »

Don't inform your insurer.

This is where you might end up with trouble. If he tries to claims of the OPs insurance, the Op might only find out too late. Always report it to your own insurance. Especially when somebody is rear-ended the default liability is with the one that drives into the back of the car in front, unless there is hard evidence, that it happened differently. No harm ALSO to report it to the offenders insurance.

There is no impact on the no claims bonus, unless there is a pay out. Fact. You can even retain your no claims bonus by deciding to pay the damages yourself, if the insurance decides it's your fault.

I had such a case, got rear-ended by somebody. He tried to claim of mine insurance, didn't notify his own. I notified both. My insurance kept the incident on record with the comment "other party at fault" and no effect to my no claims bonus. This was Quinn back then.

Enoch Putrid Ewe wrote: »

Ok so I called his insurer today and reported it. Back bumper looks loose in daylight. I'm able to move it up and down by hand!

Called my own insurer too just to make them aware. Dropping the car to an approved garage (approved by his insurer) on Monday morning to get checked out.

Good stuff.

/M

OldmanMondeo

OP, here is my take on what I think should be done,

1. Inform the Cop's about the accident. This will cover you in case the Taxi decides that he didn't hit you at all and your lying or that you reversed into him, bascially cover yourself.

2. Inform your insurance. You are not making any claim, you are letting them know you where hit by so and so and here is their details. This would be in case the other guy doesn't pay up if there is damage.

I understand that you only want to ensure that if your car is damaged, the other guy will pay for it. But you need to cover yourself in case he decides not to be as nice as you are. It is in his benefit not to have a claim on his insurance, taxi insurance is I am sure quite high already. Also, many Taxi drivers are complaining they are so broke making no money etc etc, he may be difficult to get money out of if needed.

Hopefully you car is fine and no other action is needed.

OldmanMondeo

Enoch Putrid Ewe wrote: »

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. Luckily enough I'm actually off work for a few says study leave next week and the garage isn't far from me so it's not too much of an inconvenience.

I'm fairly easy going. Like I said I'm not out to screw the other driver, just want my own car checked and repaired if needed.

Good attitude, hope it gets sorted.