Insurance advice required... guy reversed into me.

Soul_Glo · 10-11-2015, 01:41 PM

A guy who was clearly not looking reversed out of a parking bay by about a foot and caused damage to our Swift... there were cars behind us and in front... the ones in front drove off as you do. The guy behind has flaked out on us and at first he agreed to offer a witness statement but then declined... we don't know why but the insurance cannot get hold of him so our only witness is out...

Anyhow at first Admiral were like.. yes go ahead and get your car repaired because 100% liability lies with the guy was not looking when reversing. They put us on their specialist outsourced service who told us that we would need to pay our excess and that it would impact on our no claims because we did not have a witness.

I am not sure how to proceed... will they make an effort to contact this driver? Do we go back to Admiral and complain as we were led to believe our claim would be successful? He admitted fault at the scene and he was concerned that he had hit more than one car as cars were moving... but we all know people change their stories at times... we'll see how that one goes... the damage is substantial as it is a small car (rear quarter panel, rear wheel, rear door and even a bit of the front door)... my guess is privately that this would cost north of £800... I guess I have answered my own question in a way... well part of it. I want to get some quotes together first. Apparently, there is CCTV coverage of the area where it happened so I will find what I can... in an ideal world I wouldn't want to pay out of pocket to avoid the premium hike awaiting.

Any advice appreciated if my ramblings make sense.

Thank you

MrPogle · 10-11-2015, 04:34 PM

It will only impact your NCD if you claim on your policy. Note that "not changing your NCD" is not the same as "not changing your renewal premium". Write to the guy and tell him you hold him 100% liable and will sue him through the Small Claims Court unless he wishes to settle. He'll send the letter to his insurance company and you may get some joy. It's not worth the time for them to argue over such a small claim. Try and come across as a bit of an arsehole who is only doing this on principle.

The0pportunist · 10-11-2015, 05:29 PM

I always thought your NCB is unaffected if all costs are recovered from the other insurer? Even if you initially paid the excess to get the repairs underway.

Have faith in the insurance claim procedure on this one i think.

Soul_Glo · 10-12-2015, 01:54 AM

Thanks... we'll get back on it and see what they say.

djgandy · 10-12-2015, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broken_Gearbox

Thanks... we'll get back on it and see what they say.

Talk to the other guys insurer, if you have it. It's much less painful to deal with them if he's in the wrong. Everyone loses when these cases start getting huge ££££ figures attached to them with legal costs involved.

Aragorn30d · 10-12-2015, 04:09 AM

Not really sure how he can deny it? Its not a situation where you can suggest both parties are partially to blame, hes reversing into a lane of traffic, its all his responsibility to ensure its clear and safe to do so...

paulf61 · 10-12-2015, 07:14 AM

From the wording above I'm assuming that Admiral are your insurer?

Did you manage to obtain any details for the Third Party driver and/or the vehicle involved?

Did you take any pictures of the accident scene showing the Third Party's vehicle and/or registration? if so, I would suggest forwarding them to your insurer.

Paul

zltm089 · 10-12-2015, 01:11 PM

Even if your NCD is not affected, you will still need to declare this accident... and next time you renew this might have an impact on your renewal.

Soul_Glo · 10-13-2015, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulf61

From the wording above I'm assuming that Admiral are your insurer?

Did you manage to obtain any details for the Third Party driver and/or the vehicle involved? Yes

Did you take any pictures of the accident scene showing the Third Party's vehicle and/or registration? if so, I would suggest forwarding them to your insurer. Yes

Paul

He was an elderly chap and seemed quite confused he thought he had hit more than two car as cars were moving behind him. So he asked me: "Did I hit you too?" He started getting a bit panicky and asking people for advice on what he should do. Loads of people offered up the wrong advice and he became even more confused. He walked off... I walked after him... another guy came out of no where and accused us of driving fast around the corner and claimed to have cctv... I told him to send any footage to the insurer... there were several cars moving behind the guy who reversed out... and we were all under 5mph... no one entered or left fast as there was a queue.. I want him to give that footage in because it will show him driving while using his mobile phone (the guy that approached me from no where)...

Okay... we're going to ask Admiral to contact the other party... and see how it goes... I get the feeling he relied solely on his parking sensors...

OGM2LCI · 10-13-2015, 01:48 AM

If Admiral are you insurers just keep pushing as they can be a bit wet

I had an accident where I was (on the outside lane) passing queuing traffic around a roundabout (queuing on inside lane) and had a car pull out of the traffic as I was passing it

The manoeuvre she pulled would've failed her her driving test as she was in the wrong lane for the exit she took, she clearly didn't check her shoulder for any traffic, or her mirror or she would've seen myself and the cars behind me and was not indicating otherwise I would've given her the space to leave her lane

Her indicator was fully functioning as well as she used it when she pulled in to swap details...

Anyway, Admiral let this incident settle as a 50/50 and said there was no scope for anything better, which I personally thought was appaulling, however it sound like yours cannot be so poorly judged

I was also told that if I'd had an independant witness it would've immediately put the claim in my favour and was also told this would always be the case

Good luck with the claim

Larrye90 · 10-13-2015, 02:04 AM

I just had this guy reverse and hit me today. He said it was his fault and that he was sorry. That he had insurance and that every thing was going to be ok. I even offered him . If I get a estimate lower then his deductible, if he would like to go that route . He said yes and all but then I started worrying what if later he changes his mind and calls and tells his insurance I hit him . So I just called his insurance then they called him. He admitted fault and luckily the car is going to the body shop tomorrow

OGM2LCI · 10-13-2015, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larrye90

I just had this guy reverse and hit me today. He said it was his fault and that he was sorry. That he had insurance and that every thing was going to be ok. I even offered him . If I get a estimate lower then his deductible, if he would like to go that route . He said yes and all but then I started worrying what if later he changes his mind and calls and tells his insurance I hit him . So I just called his insurance then they called him. He admitted fault and luckily the car is going to the body shop tomorrow

Sounds like you've been lucky, not everyone is that honest!

Aragorn30d · 10-13-2015, 05:34 AM

The insurers love the 50:50 thing. Saves them the hassle of actually arguing the blame and reduces the cost of the payout, and means they can hit both of you for your NCB and jack both your premiums up. Win Win for them.

OGM2LCI · 10-14-2015, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aragorn30d

The insurers love the 50:50 thing. Saves them the hassle of actually arguing the blame and reduces the cost of the payout, and means they can hit both of you for your NCB and jack both your premiums up. Win Win for them.

Now you put it like that, that's exactly how it felt, it was dealt with quickly etc but just felt like we were brushed off the table before we'd even landed.

Crafty b*stards

Aragorn30d · 10-14-2015, 06:58 AM

My brother had same thing happen to him when a motorbike crashed into him. Was 100% the bikers fault, and he fully admitted it at the scene, but afterwards the usual crap started and he became uncooperative.

My brothers insurer tried to do 50:50 and he told them to piss off, took MONTHS to get sorted, all the while he was driving around with a bashed up car. They offered to fix the car but he'd have to pay his excess, and they'd claim back off the other company if it went his way and refund him the money. He figured that once he'd paid up there would be no way he'd ever see the money back, and they'd just go 50:50 like they wanted to. So he held off and kept at them for a solution.

Only actually got resolved when he posted on here badmouthing them, and magically one of their CS/PR folk saw it, contacted him and got it sorted out within a week.

It was lucky the car was still driveable tbh and it was just cosmetic dents and scrapes. If it had been serious damage then the pressures on to get it sorted ASAP to keep the car mobile, and thus you'd probably end up just accepting their 50:50 offer to get it sorted.

Reminds me i really need to get the dashcam hooked back up in the Beemer.

10-11-2015, 01:41 PM	#1
Soul_Glo Major General 13347 Rep 7,484 Posts Drives: G20 Join Date: May 2013 Location: Manhattan, NYC iTrader: (1)	Insurance advice required... guy reversed into me. A guy who was clearly not looking reversed out of a parking bay by about a foot and caused damage to our Swift... there were cars behind us and in front... the ones in front drove off as you do. The guy behind has flaked out on us and at first he agreed to offer a witness statement but then declined... we don't know why but the insurance cannot get hold of him so our only witness is out... Anyhow at first Admiral were like.. yes go ahead and get your car repaired because 100% liability lies with the guy was not looking when reversing. They put us on their specialist outsourced service who told us that we would need to pay our excess and that it would impact on our no claims because we did not have a witness. I am not sure how to proceed... will they make an effort to contact this driver? Do we go back to Admiral and complain as we were led to believe our claim would be successful? He admitted fault at the scene and he was concerned that he had hit more than one car as cars were moving... but we all know people change their stories at times... we'll see how that one goes... the damage is substantial as it is a small car (rear quarter panel, rear wheel, rear door and even a bit of the front door)... my guess is privately that this would cost north of £800... I guess I have answered my own question in a way... well part of it. I want to get some quotes together first. Apparently, there is CCTV coverage of the area where it happened so I will find what I can... in an ideal world I wouldn't want to pay out of pocket to avoid the premium hike awaiting. Any advice appreciated if my ramblings make sense. Thank you
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10-11-2015, 04:34 PM	#2
MrPogle Captain 69 Rep 605 Posts Drives: F10 550i M-Sport LCI Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Cheshire iTrader: (0)	It will only impact your NCD if you claim on your policy. Note that "not changing your NCD" is not the same as "not changing your renewal premium". Write to the guy and tell him you hold him 100% liable and will sue him through the Small Claims Court unless he wishes to settle. He'll send the letter to his insurance company and you may get some joy. It's not worth the time for them to argue over such a small claim. Try and come across as a bit of an arsehole who is only doing this on principle.
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10-11-2015, 05:29 PM	#3
The0pportunist Major 471 Rep 1,268 Posts Drives: F30 335i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: London iTrader: (0)	I always thought your NCB is unaffected if all costs are recovered from the other insurer? Even if you initially paid the excess to get the repairs underway. Have faith in the insurance claim procedure on this one i think.
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10-12-2015, 01:54 AM	#4
Soul_Glo Major General 13347 Rep 7,484 Posts Drives: G20 Join Date: May 2013 Location: Manhattan, NYC iTrader: (1)	Thanks... we'll get back on it and see what they say.
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10-12-2015, 04:09 AM	#6
Aragorn30d Lieutenant Colonel 175 Rep 1,596 Posts Drives: E90 330d Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Fife iTrader: (0)	Not really sure how he can deny it? Its not a situation where you can suggest both parties are partially to blame, hes reversing into a lane of traffic, its all his responsibility to ensure its clear and safe to do so...
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10-12-2015, 07:14 AM	#7
paulf61 Private 3 Rep 99 Posts Drives: E92 320d coupe Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Bedfordshire iTrader: (0)	From the wording above I'm assuming that Admiral are your insurer? Did you manage to obtain any details for the Third Party driver and/or the vehicle involved? Did you take any pictures of the accident scene showing the Third Party's vehicle and/or registration? if so, I would suggest forwarding them to your insurer. Paul
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10-12-2015, 01:11 PM	#8
zltm089 Banned 243 Rep 7,690 Posts Drives: 335i SE Coupe Space Grey Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: LONDON iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 335i [10.00]	Even if your NCD is not affected, you will still need to declare this accident... and next time you renew this might have an impact on your renewal.
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10-13-2015, 01:48 AM	#10
OGM2LCI Lieutenant 45 Rep 439 Posts Drives: E87 M2 LCI Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	If Admiral are you insurers just keep pushing as they can be a bit wet I had an accident where I was (on the outside lane) passing queuing traffic around a roundabout (queuing on inside lane) and had a car pull out of the traffic as I was passing it The manoeuvre she pulled would've failed her her driving test as she was in the wrong lane for the exit she took, she clearly didn't check her shoulder for any traffic, or her mirror or she would've seen myself and the cars behind me and was not indicating otherwise I would've given her the space to leave her lane Her indicator was fully functioning as well as she used it when she pulled in to swap details... Anyway, Admiral let this incident settle as a 50/50 and said there was no scope for anything better, which I personally thought was appaulling, however it sound like yours cannot be so poorly judged I was also told that if I'd had an independant witness it would've immediately put the claim in my favour and was also told this would always be the case Good luck with the claim
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10-13-2015, 02:04 AM	#11
Larrye90 Second Lieutenant 50 Rep 276 Posts Drives: 2010bmwe90 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Hollywood iTrader: (0)	I just had this guy reverse and hit me today. He said it was his fault and that he was sorry. That he had insurance and that every thing was going to be ok. I even offered him . If I get a estimate lower then his deductible, if he would like to go that route . He said yes and all but then I started worrying what if later he changes his mind and calls and tells his insurance I hit him . So I just called his insurance then they called him. He admitted fault and luckily the car is going to the body shop tomorrow Attached Images
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10-13-2015, 05:34 AM	#13
Aragorn30d Lieutenant Colonel 175 Rep 1,596 Posts Drives: E90 330d Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Fife iTrader: (0)	The insurers love the 50:50 thing. Saves them the hassle of actually arguing the blame and reduces the cost of the payout, and means they can hit both of you for your NCB and jack both your premiums up. Win Win for them.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-14-2015, 06:58 AM	#15
Aragorn30d Lieutenant Colonel 175 Rep 1,596 Posts Drives: E90 330d Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Fife iTrader: (0)	My brother had same thing happen to him when a motorbike crashed into him. Was 100% the bikers fault, and he fully admitted it at the scene, but afterwards the usual crap started and he became uncooperative. My brothers insurer tried to do 50:50 and he told them to piss off, took MONTHS to get sorted, all the while he was driving around with a bashed up car. They offered to fix the car but he'd have to pay his excess, and they'd claim back off the other company if it went his way and refund him the money. He figured that once he'd paid up there would be no way he'd ever see the money back, and they'd just go 50:50 like they wanted to. So he held off and kept at them for a solution. Only actually got resolved when he posted on here badmouthing them, and magically one of their CS/PR folk saw it, contacted him and got it sorted out within a week. It was lucky the car was still driveable tbh and it was just cosmetic dents and scrapes. If it had been serious damage then the pressures on to get it sorted ASAP to keep the car mobile, and thus you'd probably end up just accepting their 50:50 offer to get it sorted. Reminds me i really need to get the dashcam hooked back up in the Beemer.
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