My Accident

[toasty]

Looking for some advice really.

Had a minor collision on the way to work the other day, smashed off my wing mirror and I think caused the same damage to the car i collided with (couldn't stop at the time due to the nature of the road)

I attempted to turn around and exchange documents etc... but on my return I couldn't see the other driver.

Decided to report it to the police which I did later that day.

Got a letter from the other guy's insurance company yesterday saying that he is going to claim on my insurance as I was at fault (which is the case IMO)

So I'm glad that he too reported it and that his car will be fixed, as I'd feel bad having known I'd damaged someone elses car and left them to foot the bill.

However I now have a decision to make. The damage to my car was one wing mirror and minor scratches to the bodywork and glass (all of which have polished out nicely) The wing mirror cost me about £100 thanks to Martyn @ VAG PARTS and I'm getting it sprayed body colour on the weekend.

So essentially my car is fixed, the other car (a Y reg Golf S) I've been told by the insurance company of the other driver (Churchill) is in a similar condition and although it is still being assesed the bloke I spoke to on the phone said the damage was minimal.

I'm thinking that if the damage is less than a few hundred then I'll just pay it out of my own pocket and put it down to experience, if it's much more than that I think I'll have to claim.

My current insurer is Elephant, I pay £1043 a year fully comp on a '98 S4 saloon (no mods) parked on a driveway overnight with 4yrs no-claims (not protected). I'm 26 (IT consultant) and live in Bristol, I had 3points in Sept '99 for TS10. My G/f is a named driver (She's 29, teacher)

So my question is (apologies for the long post) am I doing the right thing paying for the damage myself, or should I just claim?

Also insurance is up for renewal mid-June, so Jon can you do me a good deal? [img]images/graemlins/colflash.gif[/img]

[toasty]

...oh and I do about 10-15k miles per year, just social and commuting to one place of work.

[Jon]

I would definately pay it yourself as insurers will just see it as a claim on your record, not a small claim, just a claim. and this will hang over you for 2-3 years depending on your insurer.

give me a bell at the end of may and I will have all the june rates in to look about for you.

[toasty]

Thanks Jon [img]images/graemlins/clap.gif[/img]

However my current insurer asks for any accidents/claims in the last 3 years, so presumably even if I don't claim it will still have to be mentioned as it is still an accident?

[Joshie]

Sorry to hear about your troubles Dan and I admire your honesty - some people would have just kept going.

I would have thought that it would depend on a number of factors:

1. The cost of repairing the guys car. If it is just a mirror then c£200 tops should cover it.

2. Your premium and what it would be without some no claims discount - I suppose that is a question for Jon.

3. Can you still claim to be accident free when you complete your next insurance renewal application, even though you did not make a claim? I don't know (another one for Jon I think)

Just my thoughts,

[Jon]

as long as you keep your insurance company out of it you won't have to declare it as it won't be on the motor insurers database.

to make it worthwhile claiming it would have to be over about 5-600 quid.

[Dippy]

Thanks Jon [img]images/graemlins/clap.gif[/img]

However my current insurer asks for any accidents/claims in the last 3 years, so presumably even if I don't claim it will still have to be mentioned as it is still an accident?

Having got quotes myself recently, it seems common these days to ask about CLAIMS in the last 3-5 years. So I agree with Jon - you've no reason to admit it if you pay for the other car's repair yourself.