Oh bugger!
Driving up a hill today (Toys Hill, towards Brasted, for anyone who knows it), round a sharp corner, national speed limit zone and I was going about 30-35.
There was a car on the other side of the road, coming down the hill, and he was on the line. I moved over to the left and ran over a football sized rock which pulled my nearside front wheel out at 45 degrees to the car - s**t! No, I didn't get any details of the other car.
Now, I rang my insurers (Elephant - I'm Fully Comp.), and informed them, so that a claim could be put into motion. Now, I then rang a friend of mine is very experienced in car maintenance (although he's had no formal training) and he says he could do the repair no problem, and will do it for the cost of the parts! Bonus!
I rang Elephant back and explained the situation, and they agreed to put the claim on hold and that if I sorted the damage out myself I would retain my No Claims and all would be well with the world.
Right, go and get a cup of tea and a biscuit because this goes on!
I had my girlfriend in the car at the time, and she has mild whiplash (Yes, she actually has, she's been to the hospital and everything!) and is thinking of claiming on my policy for compensation, which I think is fair enough as it was my fault and she'll be out of work for a little while - will this come out of my pocket or will it just be reflected in my premium? I suspect she'd be willing to contribute some of that back to my excess (£400) if I do end up putting it through the insurance.
Now, what I'm asking is should I put it through the insurance, although it's a Y reg and will most probably be written off, giving me what my mate has estimated will equal about a £3k payout or, do I get said mate to do the work?
Help!
Driving up a hill today (Toys Hill, towards Brasted, for anyone who knows it), round a sharp corner, national speed limit zone and I was going about 30-35.
There was a car on the other side of the road, coming down the hill, and he was on the line. I moved over to the left and ran over a football sized rock which pulled my nearside front wheel out at 45 degrees to the car - s**t! No, I didn't get any details of the other car.
Now, I rang my insurers (Elephant - I'm Fully Comp.), and informed them, so that a claim could be put into motion. Now, I then rang a friend of mine is very experienced in car maintenance (although he's had no formal training) and he says he could do the repair no problem, and will do it for the cost of the parts! Bonus!
I rang Elephant back and explained the situation, and they agreed to put the claim on hold and that if I sorted the damage out myself I would retain my No Claims and all would be well with the world.
Right, go and get a cup of tea and a biscuit because this goes on!
I had my girlfriend in the car at the time, and she has mild whiplash (Yes, she actually has, she's been to the hospital and everything!) and is thinking of claiming on my policy for compensation, which I think is fair enough as it was my fault and she'll be out of work for a little while - will this come out of my pocket or will it just be reflected in my premium? I suspect she'd be willing to contribute some of that back to my excess (£400) if I do end up putting it through the insurance.
Now, what I'm asking is should I put it through the insurance, although it's a Y reg and will most probably be written off, giving me what my mate has estimated will equal about a £3k payout or, do I get said mate to do the work?
Help!
