Been in small car accident, what next?

[Martin.]

Right guys.

Was in a small bump on Friday night. Not my fault. Sitting at traffic lights in traffic at around 8pm. Car behind me bumps me up the arse. He straight away admits fault. I take a quick photo of the scene on my phone and of his number plate. My mate jumps in his car and we drive into the Tesco garage round the corner to exchange details and inspect damage.

He's was very apologetic and said he was looking at his sat nav. I got his full name, full address, phone number, email, reg number, and insurance company name. But he didn't know his policy number. I also made him sign a quick paragraph I wrote down, admitting complete fault and crashing into my stationary car. I also got two witnesses who were standing at the bus stop right next to the accident.

Damage doesn't look too bad from the outside. Looking from the inside and the underneath is where the damage can seen as expected. The metal has been bent inwards and the floor is a little bent. The welding has held and there are no splits. Mechanically is all seems OK, maybe a slight whistle from the exhaust.

The guy said he would rather not go through his insurance and sort it out himself. Unless the bill is too much. I'm happy with this and told him I would get it inspected for damage and get a quote as soon as possible.

I think I got all the information needed, apart from his insurance policy number maybe. Maybe a police report would have been ideal too but it was only a small bump and I was in a rush to get up to Bedford so had to go home and make some temporary repairs.

I've checked his address on Google and all seems legit. As said I'd rather avoid any insurance companies if possible. But if he somehow disappears or if the repair quote is too big for him to pay cash then he will go through his insurance.

So my concern now is what next? I'm taking the car to get looked at as quickly as possible. Dad is taking it to my mechanic this morning. I'm worried that he maybe won't ever reply to me or will disappear off the face of the earth. Or am I OK because I got all that information off of him.

Had a proper achy neck and back over the weekend too but I'm not going to be claiming for any whip lash, I just want my car back to how it was before.

Was planning on phoning one of those accident helplines today and seeing what they suggest too. I'm concerned that if he turns round and says he doesn't want to pay it'll be too late to get the insurance companies involved.

Any one have any comments or advice which could help? Or am I doing all I can at the minute?

Such a pain in the backside.

Cheers

 

[Gareth]

I'd go through insurance personally, limits the risk to yourself and you shouldn't come out worse off.

 

[Martin.]

You know what insurance companies are like though. They'll try to argue that once you've been in an accident you're more likely to be in another and they'll put your premium up!

 

[Budgie]

IF you trust the guy then get a quote and forward it to him. Even a small bump on the back of one of these could finish the car, check the boot floor. Also, if the exhaust is knackered, that's going to be a few quid- perfect time to upgrade to a nicer exhaust if it's allowed though.

If not, get straight onto your insurance company.

Accident helplines and police reports definitely not required. The helplines are a compensation making machine and the police won't be interested unless someone is injured.

 

[Martin.]

Boot floor is a little bent up. But there are no splits or cracks or anything. I'm sure someone could just whack it out with a hammer lol!

I can't see his writing my car off, but I haven't ruled it out. I guessed it would cost around £1000-£1500, but who knows. Car is worth about £3500 and to be fair I would probably fork out a grand myself just to keep it on the road.

Exhaust is already a Milltek. Only fitted maybe a 1000 miles ago. Going to get that inspected for damage too obviously.

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

If the floor is bent, it's not going to be a cheap repair. It'll probably be a total loss. If it was a scuffed bumper, then £250 would sort it out. I imagine the front of his car is a mess too ? If you've got neck issues, I think this is a bigger crash than you think it was. GF had someone bump in to the back of her work van a fair few months ago .. she's still having issues with her neck/back now. Get checked out by a physio before it's too late.

If he's admitted fault, you'll have nothing to worry about. It'll all go through your legal protection to claim off the TP .. not through your own policy.


Good luck.

 

[Budgie]

Boot floor is a little bent up. But there are no splits or cracks or anything. I'm sure someone could just whack it out with a hammer lol!

I can't see his writing my car off, but I haven't ruled it out. I guessed it would cost around £1000-£1500, but who knows. Car is worth about £3500 and to be fair I would probably fork out a grand myself just to keep it on the road.

Exhaust is already a Milltek. Only fitted maybe a 1000 miles ago. Going to get that inspected for damage too obviously.

TBH, i'd let the insurance company sort it. Is your milltek declared?

If they write it off, brilliant. Get a nice payout and buy it back for a pittance. Fix it up on the cheap and you'll probably make money.

 

[Martin.]

If the floor is bent, it's not going to be a cheap repair. It'll probably be a total loss. If it was a scuffed bumper, then £250 would sort it out. I imagine the front of his car is a mess too ? If you've got neck issues, I think this is a bigger crash than you think it was. GF had someone bump in to the back of her work van a fair few months ago .. she's still having issues with her neck/back now. Get checked out by a physio before it's too late.

If he's admitted fault, you'll have nothing to worry about. It'll all go through your legal protection to claim off the TP .. not through your own policy.


Good luck.

I'd rather leave the boot floor as it is than write the car off lol. Will be getting an MOT straight after all repairs anyway just to double check there wont be any issues there.

The bumper looks normal to be fair lol that's the weird thing. Obviously it's been pushed in a little bit but if you had looked you probably wouldn't have even noticed. Although I did have to cut out holes around the exhaust pipes because it was resting on them, so now it looks odd.

Ultimately I just didn't want my insurance to have anything to do with it, being completely not at fault etc. Don't want my car on record of being in a crash. Don't want any premium increases in future for someone else's mistake.

 

[Heez]

As already said a damaged boot floor is usually a write-off.

See what damage has occured, let the guy know how much it'll be to fix and then see what he wants to do. If it's too much he'll go through the insurance, if he pays for it then win win.

 

[Rhauri]

I had some one bump into the back of me a couple of years ago. We went through insurance companies and he admitted total liability. Since then, my premiums have been no more expensive; I insured my S2000 for £650 last year through a specialist broker and that is a group 20 car (in old money) and I was 26 with 4 years NCB.

I wouldn't worry so much about registering your car as being involved in a crash - it'll just sit on your insurance companies database and no one will have access to it (other than other insurance companies, so always declare it as a No Fault claim). In regards to insurance companies uplifting your premium, decent companies don't as it is in the TCF guidelines not to - but obviously not compulsory, so just shop around come renewal time.

It'll be best for both parties to go through insurance, as the boot floor is damaged - its very costly indeed.

 

[Martin.]

Thanks for help and comments guys. Just had someone look over it quickly in a body shop. He has said he reckons about £900ish should sort it, but he's just going to check with Renault for price on a few things. He said part of the back end will need to be cut off and replaced to sort out the boot floor :S

But fingers crossed. Hopefully the final price wont be too much different from the original expectations. But it seems like positive news for now...

Exhaust doesn't seem to be damaged at all. But will still be getting it looked at properly. Need at least one new exhaust bracket though anyway. Thinking of maybe replacing with the prima? racing mouths to hold the exhaust in a better position.

Hopefully the guy will be happy to pay in cash. If not then as said I will just get his insurance to sort it out.

Least it's not the end of the world and no one was hurt.

 

[NickM5c]

I had a similar thing happen to me a few years back in my 182. A girl in a Ford KA hit me which required a new boot floor, rear panel, bumper plus trimmings and part of the exhaust replaced and fitting/spraying. Total bill was approximately £1300.

 

[Martin.]

Thanks for the info Nick. That's good to hear. Even that isn't too bad..

 

[Rodg241]

Go through insurance mate if he's at fault ul get courtesy car n every think while its getting repaired
thats what insurance is for we pay enough of it but it won't effect urs seen as ur not at fault,
and also put a claim in for whiplash I had an accident in January not my fault car was a write off n I still suffer with neck and back problems

 

[Martin.]

If your car was a write off then it must have been a serious accident. Mine really wasn't that bad so I'm not too bothered about claiming for any compensation.. If he gives me problems and makes more hassle then I might pursue it and get some physio just to be sure.

I don't need a courtesy car either to be honest. It would just be wasting insurance or his money. It's a track car so I don't need it for daily use.

Thanks anyway for your concerns

 

[.Ben.]

If you want to give the guy the benefit of the doubt and "be a good citizen", be clear to him about what's expected of him and give him strict deadlines for his actions. You don't want to be chasing him for sign-off on quotes and payment!

Personally, I'd protect myself and report all of the details to my insurance company. I would be clear, though, and ask them not to action a claim because the 3rd party would like the chance to protect his NCD. This then gives you some come-back if the other guy messes you about or can't afford to cover the repairs/ finds ways of delaying payment/ etc. The last thing you want to hear from your insurer is something like "why wasn't the incident reported to us or the local authorities at the time? The damage/ injury can't be that bad!".

 

[Martin.]

Ok thanks yeah I think I will do that just to protect myself. I'll say what you've suggested. Least they are aware of it then if problems do occur..

 

[Vish]

So you don't want to go through insurance because they'll bump up next year's price but you're going to tell them about the accident anyway? I really don't understand this one lol

It won't affect the price too much.

I'm very untrustworthy, people say one thing at the time and then say all sorts of different things after. Hit from behind, sitting at traffic lights will always be in your favour by insurance companies and be less hassle. It's what insurance is for. Also if you've got a bad neck, physio via insurance will be useful. It can get very expensive even if you don't want to claim any compensation.

 

[Martin.]

haha sorry for confusion.

I think first I'm going to speak to the guy and give him the quote to fix. I'll demand the money asap, if there is any problem with that or he says he can't pay right away then I'll get on to my insurance later today or tomorrow morning hopefully. I don't want to bring them into it but it's just to cover my back.

Just waiting now to hear back from the body shop guy to confirm prices on some Renault bits..

He signed something to admit complete fault anyway, plus I have two witnesses.

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

But what if the bodyshop quote £1000, he gives you £1000, then they find the rear shell is crooked, and the suspension needs replacing. then the exhaust has punted the engine a bit and that needs replacing.. etc etc etc. and you end up with a bill for £2k ?

Get it done properly. You're not at fault. It will barely affect your next years price as it's all through the TP via your legal protection as mentioned.

 

[dare!]

So you don't want to go through insurance because they'll bump up next year's price but you're going to tell them about the accident anyway? I really don't understand this one lol

It won't affect the price too much.

I'm very untrustworthy, people say one thing at the time and then say all sorts of different things after.

I think you meant 'untrusting'.

 

[JonniP]

Why even ask for advice when your mind is already set...?!

 

[Darren S]

If your car was a write off then it must have been a serious accident. Mine really wasn't that bad so I'm not too bothered about claiming for any compensation.. If he gives me problems and makes more hassle then I might pursue it and get some physio just to be sure.

I don't need a courtesy car either to be honest. It would just be wasting insurance or his money. It's a track car so I don't need it for daily use.

Thanks anyway for your concerns

I applaud you for that view, m8. Personally, I would still go through the insurance as there are too many unknowns here. But hat's off to you for not wanting compo for the McDonalds that fell off your passenger seat, that your pet hamster suffered trauma on his way to the vets on the back seat and the whole distress that demands monetary payback.

In this day and age of utter w**kers (and the w**ker companies that promote the cancerous compo culture) - it's nice to see someone just wanting their car repaired to how it should be - and that being the end of it.

Best of luck!

D.

 

[Vish]

So you don't want to go through insurance because they'll bump up next year's price but you're going to tell them about the accident anyway? I really don't understand this one lol

It won't affect the price too much.

I'm very untrustworthy, people say one thing at the time and then say all sorts of different things after.

I think you meant 'untrusting'.

I did lol I just read it back and realised myself. I'm very untrusting. I am very trustworthy however.

OP, go through insurance, why bother with all this hassle? This is the primary use of insurance.

 

[Ryanj]

it was nice of you to give him the option to pay cash and avoid insurance but IMO this is an insurance job, if it was just a broken bumper or dented boot lid then fair enough but when it comes to bent floors ect, i wouldnt risk it.

 

[Addicted]

I think you're absolutely mad/stupid if you don't go through insurance. And boot floors are written off for a reason, it's not a worthy excuse to keep the car.

 

[Owen92]

Definitely go through insurance. That way it is all on your side, whereas if the other person reports it because he can't afford to fix his car it won't look good for you.

 

[LiamR172]

Really dont understand the point in paying insurance if your never going to use it..

Its the best and safest option!

 

[Martin.]

Cheers for all the suggestions.

Looks like it's going through his insurance now anyway. As said it's probably for the best.

Trying to finalise it all today so I can get the car fixed up as soon as possible..

 

[Addicted]

Best of luck! Just seen you name-changed, you're just trying to confuse us!!

 

[Martin.]

Best of luck! Just seen you name-changed, you're just trying to confuse us!!

What do you mean? I name changed a few weeks back lol...?

 

[Martin_172]

imo the only time i wouldnt bother going through insurance is a bumper scuff in a carpark etc

 

[Martin.]

Someone is driving to my house tomorrow to pick the car up. Leaving me with a Mini Cooper D I think, for the week.

The approved body shop is Extreme Bodywork in Streatham. No one on here works there do they haha!

 

[Martin.]

UPDATE:

The third party insurance have inspected the car and have deemed that all the parts needed to fix it up etc will cost more than 60% of it's value. Therefore at this point in time it looks like it's going to be declared a Cat C. Nothing is confirmed yet, there is still room for some negotiation apparently. I told them I disagree with the repair bill because I had an independent quote for £950 ish before it went into the insurances hands. Seems like this approved body shop might be trying to pull a fast one now they know it's an insurance jobbie.

But yeah it's apparently looking like it's going to be a CAT C. I have been told that if it is I can definitely buy the car back off of them. This price I do not know as of yet. But there has been a valuation on my car of £3300, not sure who buy though.. I have also argued this.

As it stands just waiting for another valuation of my car and inspection of damage and repair bills.

Will update this thread for anyone who may be interested to see how it turns out.

Does anyone know of any major complications with buying back a Categorized vehicle. I'm aware it will need some kind of inspection from the VOSA once the repair work has been done to prove it road worthy. Also that it will probably affect my insurance premium when renewing. Anything else I should know?

Neil from Greenlight Insurance has kindly agreed to talk me through some stuff tomorrow. So hopefully I will have a better understanding after his help.

Thanks

 

[Budgie]

You've just made a lot of money. Congrats