Prang - best plan of action...

[Sideways Tim]

Someone ran into the wifes car the other day, totally at fault (they were towing another car, which swung wide coming out of a junction and hit the Mrs.)
The tower, has offered to pay for the damage without using insurance, depending on the amount to put it right.
I'm thinking as they were towing, this could easliy turn into an insurance nightmare - any suggestions as to the best course of action?
Ta.

Edited by Sideways Tim on Monday 7th February 16:16

[Gruber]

Sideways Tim said:

Someone ran into the wifes car the other day, totally at fault (they were towing another car, which swung wide coming out of a junction and hit the Mrs.)
The tower, has offered to pay for the damage without using insurance, depending on the amount to put it right.
I'm thinking as they were towing, this could easliy turn into an insurance nightmare - any suggestions as to the best course of action?
Ta.

Edited by Sideways Tim on Monday 7th February 16:16

Inform your insurers, for information, so that they have it logged. That way, if it all goes pear-shaped sometime later, you've protected yourself and you've told your insurers what they need to know while its still fresh in your mind.

Get something in writing from the other driver asap accepting liability. Agree with him how you're both going to take this forward - i.e. you'll get quotes, he'll pay.

Get quotes for repairs from places you trust, get cash from other driver, then get car fixed.

[boredofmyoldname]

I am prepared to be flamed for this, but if the guy offered to pay get a quote or two and get him to agree to one of them in writing (get the job at the bodyshop opened in his name if needs be) ASAP.

If the cost is too high for him then deal with it via the insurers but if he pays and you inform them of the non-fault accident then your wifes premium will rise next year, despite there being no cost to any insurer for the accident.

[andye30m3]

boredofmyoldname said:

I am prepared to be flamed for this, but if the guy offered to pay get a quote or two and get him to agree to one of them in writing (get the job at the bodyshop opened in his name if needs be) ASAP.

If the cost is too high for him then deal with it via the insurers but if he pays and you inform them of the non-fault accident then your wifes premium will rise next year, despite there being no cost to any insurer for the accident.

I've tried to help people out in this way before, both times very minor damage to my car both time been fked about to the point at which I end up paying for it.

Never again, straight to insurance if you hit me.

[monthefish]

I would say - prepare to get stung. These situations often turn nasty at a later date, despite the assurances given at the time of the incident.

Also, I would suggest you do the above, i.e. if possible, getting the other driver to admit liability in writing.

Your wife does need to tell her insurers, but note this will be noted on her insurance file and may affect her premium come renewal.

[Gruber]

If the other guy accepts responsibility, then there's a lot to be said for keeping it away from an insurance claim. But you still need to tell your insurers.

As I said above, get the quotes then get the money and then get the car fixed. Don't mess about with setting it up so that he pays the garage - sure fire way to end up shafted. Get the money up front.

If he refuses to pay up front, then put it through insurance.

[Compo_Simmonite]

Someone ran into our car years ago and wanted to avoid going though insurance. They agreed to pay for repair but refused to give insurance details. Needless to say they then were reluctant to pay repair bill so had to get Police involved to obtain their insurance information.
No way would I trust anyone who said they didn't wnat to go though insurance again. Make sure you get their details and inform yours (you are oblidged to do so anyway). That way if it goes pear shaped then your insurers will pay and they chase up other parties insurers for payment. If they are honest and pay cash then no harm done and at least you are covered.

Paul H

[Sideways Tim]

Thanks folks, will be speaking to the chap tonight and see how it goes.

Expensively, with me ending up out of pocket no doubt.

[Sideways Tim]

All going through the insurance of the vehicle being towed.

This could be interesting

[Iang84]

As with Fox I have had a good result with this type of thing (few years ago 5?) when a security van cant remember name of company pulled out from a parking space and into my mk1 mondeo the driver had to pay himself as the company told him they dont pay driver fault accidents total cost was just shy of £400 pound

[monthefish]

The Crack Fox said:

For all the skeptics... Someone sideswiped the family motor over christmas, 100% their fault, young guy in a Defender who couldn't drive on snow. I offered (to protect everyones NCB) to get a quote from a bodyshop, it came to c.£500, he paid them direct, the bodyshop did the work. Everyone is happy. I'm sure it would have cost him more in the long term if he had gone through his insurer, and I didn't want the hassle, I don't know why more folks aren't as trusting ?

I would suggest this situation is very much in the minority.

Good intentions at the scene, coupled with the feeling of guilt (and no real way to dispute the guilt, as everyone present will be aware of whos fault it was), will probably cause most people to admit blame and attempt to be decent about the whole matter.

A few weeks on, things change.
Hidden behind paperwork/telephone, many people will reassess the situaion, selfish human nature takes over, and they will try to wiggle out of the situation: "why should I admit fault and cause my premiums to go up for the sake of a stranger who I'll probably never see again in my whole life".

Your situation proves that this doesn't always happen, and that's why I agreed with the suggestion that the OP gets the admission of blame in writing. If they're not going to have a leter re-think, why wouldn't they be happy to sign this?