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Rear Ended on Motorway - Private, or Insurance?

...Ghost...

I was rear ended on the motorway a few days ago. I was stopped in heavy traffic and the driver behind was distracted and rear ended me. It couldn't have been more than 30km/h, but was enough to push my car forward a couple of feet. The bumper damage appears minor enough to look at with some paint damage, some scuffed parking sensors, a bit of deformation in places and a coin sized depression/break. Similarly the other car didn't have very noticeable damage, though I didn't really check as it was on the motorway. I just wanted to make sure the other driver was OK before sharing contact details and taking their insurance info.

The other driver says they want to settle privately, but they are not being very clear. I took the car to an authorised body shop the same day and the initial estimate for bumper repair, paint and car rental is north of €1.5k. They can't quote for unseen damages and haven't quoted for rental car, or anything else. I also don't want a repair, I want new parts, as my car is less than 3 years old, so that will be more expensive. It would be dumb to ask if there are likely to be other damages, but the other driver has asked for more details in the form of a full price and has indicated that if the estimate stays about the same price, they want to cover it privately. They said their insurer gave them the go-ahead to proceed that way.

The other driver also asked for my insurance details to be sent by WhatsApp after I gave the estimate to them. While taking insurance details at the scene would be the norm, this request set alarm bells ringing. I'm not inclined to send pictures of my insurance to someone where there is a question of liability, let alone someone who was 100% at fault for the accident. I didn't want to refuse sharing my insurance info, as I think (maybe wrongly) I am required to, so I rang their insurance company to share the details. I believed they already reported the accident, as I had done the same day it happened with my insurer. Turns out there was no record of the other driver calling, but the genie was out of the bottle and I provided my details and shared my account of the accident. I was asked what I thought was the cause of the other driver crashing into me. I replied that I didn't see the other driver crash into me and could only speculate they were distracted by their phone because the weather and road conditions were excellent with a clear view ahead.

Should I still let let the other driver have the option to pay privately, or just go through their insurance? It's an inconvenience not knowing where I stand and I have better things to be doing than chasing for quote details, but at the same time, I would like the option to pay privately if in their shoes.

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bazz26

I'd just go through the other party's insurance. In most cases the "I don't want to go through my insurance" people have a low figure in their head and when they get a higher than that bill, end up either telling you they have a mate who can do a great job for a fraction of the price or start stalling before they just ignore your texts and calls.

Speedline

Report to Gardai aswell. This is very important if the other party denies everything in a few weeks or refuses to pay for repairs. Absolutely go through insurance. Again, this will be important later on if the other driver starts acting up.

[Deleted User]

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123414225#Comment_123414225

There are hidden aspects of incidents such as yours which can escalate. Time spent on repairs, assessments etc. It’s helpful to have the insurance company deal with the incident, as it takes much of the pressure off you. Hopefully you are feeling ok -even minor incidents can be stressful!

...Ghost...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123414160#Comment_123414160

That's right. I don't know if the other driver was using their phone at the time of the accident. I did see them on it a minute earlier and they trailed about 100m behind me when traffic moved on. As you say, it's irrelevant in any event, as it was a rear ending.

Thanks for the advice. I've decided I'll go through the insurance and cut out the back and forth messing. I'll ring them again after the weekend and see about getting my car booked in. I was also in an RTC over 10 years ago. My car then was a write-off and I got stuck with chronic lower back pain and needed surgery. I'm supposed to be doing a fair bit of travelling for work in a couple of weeks and i'm hoping I feel OK in a few days.

[Deleted User]

log with insurance and have yourself covered, private repairs are never as good as insurance repairs

Ash.J.Williams

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123413936#Comment_123413936

It's not your fault though, report to insurance and let them deal with it

FishOnABike

The other driver is already asking to see the quote and asking for details of the repairs. If they are concerned about a claim affecting their insurance to they can always repay their insurance company after the claim has been settled.

The cost is ok only likely to go up. New bumper + potential damage to bumper mountings, rere quarter panels, floor, chassis alignment, parking sensors etc. will only be seen once the garage start working on it. Add in loss of value in your car, car rental and I'd be very surprised if that estimate doesn't increase.

If they hit your car at 30kmh I'd expect more damage to be uncovered. The less your car was pushed forward, the greater the force (and damage) at a given speed.

suvigirl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123413931#Comment_123413931

The other driver has shown themselves to be irresponsible by driving into you due to using their phone

There is no proof of this, OP was speculating that the driver was on his phone. He had no proof either. Irregardless the other driver is at fault.

OP, just go through the insurance and get it sorted properly.

I had a RTC once and thought I wasn't injured, 17 years later I am actually still feeling the effects, I'd give it a few weeks to see about any injuries. My car was never the same despite 'being fixed' by the other party.

TheSunIsShining

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123413926#Comment_123413926

https://www.garda.ie/en/crime/traffic-matters/ive-been-involved-in-a-road-traffic-collision-what-should-i-do-.html#:~:text=If%20the%20accident%20damages%20property,in%20charge%20of%20the%20property.

Doesn't seem to be an absolute requirement if no injuries

JVince

On the op situation, I'd definitely go the claim route if the car is less than 3 years old.

If you have parking sensors, they might have been damaged.

A friend had similar on a VW Tiguan and the cost was over €3k+ vat.

I'd also avoid speculation on what the driver was doing. That's of no consequence.

...Ghost...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123413950#Comment_123413950

This is what I know I should do. I think I will do this, if it hasn't been done already by contacting their insurer. I'll just let the other driver know to deal with the insurance so they won't need to contact me again for quotes. Curious why the insurance asked me what I think happened if I didn't actually see the collision. Yes, I'll be sticking to what I know to be factual.

callaway92

Awh Jesus man claim off insurance

Don’t be playing mr nice and agreeing to settle privately with the other party. The whole point of insurance is for stuff like this

Soon you’ll be getting the ‘oh my garage could do that for a lot less’ stuff

JVince

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123413911#Comment_123413911

Incorrect.

You notify your insurance as soon as practical possible IF you intend on making a claim on the policy.

That's both AIG and Aviva anyway.

893bet

Initiate the claim off their insurance. Hopefully you took photos of both your car and their car.

Don’t speculate. Be factual.

Don’t engage any further with them via phone or text.

...Ghost...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123413911#Comment_123413911

I called my insurer within hours. I know they are supposed to be informed, so that's what I did, even though I now know it could be a ball ache for the next few years when they ask if I have been in an accident in the last 5 years.

The body shop guy did mention it won't be cheap to repair. Although I don't think it's anywhere near write-off territory. I just want it sorted quickly.

BrianD3

Your car is less than 3 years old and there is a high likelihood of hidden damage.

The other driver has shown themselves to be irresponsible by driving into you due to using their phone

There is a good likelihood that that driver is going to jerk you around, delay, try to haggle, tell you his mate can get the parts cheaper. Also, and I don't care who this offends, if it was certain demographics who are notorious for messing around in these situations I wouldn't even entertain them paying privately..

...Ghost...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123413895#Comment_123413895

I'm only guessing the speed based on what my own speed was shortly before the collision when I came up to the point where traffic had stopped. I only mention it because the damage doesn't look bad.

I didn't call the Gardaí. My understanding is you should only do that if there are serious injuries, or if the accident was serious and cars need to be moved off the road.

Is it necessary to report to the Gardaí after the incident?

I have some back and neck pain, but that will hopefully clear up after a few days. Already checked in with my GP as a precaution. The other driver, or their insurance will cover that visit pretty fast i'm sure.

AnRothar

Notify your own insurance asap. Wheither you intend to claim or not.

its in the small print .

Also as mentioned above even a low speed prang can result in expensive damage to plastic bumpers.

TheSunIsShining

If you got hit at 30kmh, I'm surprised it's only €1,500. We all seriously underestimate how fast 30 actually is and unfortunately I wouldn't be surprised if there is more damage as the car will have absorbed the impact, as it is designed to do, where you can't necessarily see it.

You really need to adhere to the process and ideally really you should probably notify the Guards about it - it's nothing personal against the other driver, just business. I'd also be very wary of answering any questions whatsoever from their insurance company. Feck knows what they might take from it in terms of liability....

Ash.J.Williams

No need for you to speculate what the other driver was doing, he rear ended you, look after yourself and your car , he's f**ed