Non fault insurance claim

[Kevin Mk2]

Hi guys. Here's my situation. My car (BMW 318i e46) was damaged while parked and unattended outside Tesco. The other driver has accepted liability and given me his insurance certificate and contact details. So normally his insurance company would foot the bill, correct?

 

One concern I have is, I bought the car as a category D write off, fixed it myself and put it on the road. Will this affect my claim? What are his insurance company likely to do? I've sunk a fair bit of time and money in to getting this car the way I want it, so I don't want them to turn around and offer me a grand for it.

 

I've obtained a quote for the repair with a local company and it's (apparently) going to cost £625 to repair the damage (some minor scratches on the passenger front wing, bumper and replace some door trims.)

 

Should I get another quote? Will my premiums rise after a non fault claim? Should I even claim at all? The damage is minor and I could fix it myself I suppose.. TBH, I'm p****d off because some tw*t who apparently can't drive has caused me all this trouble.

 

Any suggestions appreciated

 

Cheers

Kevin

 

/End rantage

[katana]

Had this scenario more than once after 20 years riding bikes its an occupational hazard! Firstly do not claim on your own insurance, inform them FOR INFORMATION ONLY - stating the facts and saying you will deal with claim. Then write out a STATEMENTS of FACTS containing all pertinent information - cars involved, what happened, time of day, weather conditions, witnesses info an statements etc. It sounds a bit legal but it ensures you are taken seriously by other party. Then write to other party and state your claim against them, holding them entirely responsible and that they have admitted liability (great if it was witnessed!), attach the Statement of Facts and recommend them forward your claim together with Statement to their insurers.

If the insurer wishes to inspect - get them to come to you, not the other way round.

A cat D is uneconomic repair for an insurer - as long as it was repaired to reasonable standard, has MOT and is roadworthy and legal at the time there should be no question over its status! Some insurers try it on and try to blow you off - I had to put one through Small Claims once.....and won! Good Luck

[Andy44Boz]

Inform your insurance anyway, and ask them the best action to take. Yours sounds like a straight forward claim off his, and your company might say they can deal without any expense to you. I was victim to a hit and run last year, and I used my legal cover to sort the whole thing out, inc the court claim as I wouldn't have had a clue what to do once I'd reported it. (luckily we got his reg). If he suddenly changes his story, after he's been home and thought about it, your insurance guys will be better equipped.

[FredTransit]

Personally, I wouldn't even tell them. Your insurance will use it as a partial excuse to put up your premium, EVEN though it wasn't your fault. Had this once, and when I questioned them they said as, even though it's not your fault, it's seen as an indication there will be a claim one day soon. No shit, and one day I will die, but it doesn't mean it will be next week! Quite recently we had a van hit up the arse and the insurance doubled our premium!! Not with them now, obviously.....

[JAY PS]

Fred you cant do that anymore because the Insurers share information between themselves and they can refuse to insure you if you dont disclose it

If you want advise please call on 07711 008951 ,i deal with this every day

[Kevin Mk2]

Thanks for your input everybody, you've helped me a great deal here.

 

The Insurance certificate the guy gave me states it is company insurance (a large and powerful oil company actually), so I have no doubt he will have claimed to cover the cost of his own repairs. And given that there is every likelihood the incident is on record on a database somewhere, I guess I'll just have to claim and hope for a reasonable outcome.

 

I am going to get a quote for the repair elsewhere though, £625 seem utterly ludicrous for all the damage that's actually been done. When I told the guy it was for an insurance claim, I could almost hear a 'kerching' sound. I wouldn't be surprised if he had trumped the charges up.

 

Thanks again.

Kevin