Crash advice needed

[RedSparrow]

Fella in an Astra bumped into the back of the TR7 at a junction today.

It doesn't look too bad so fingers crossed.

 

Anyway, he wanted to settle it without using his insurance, so I took his name, address, mobile number and the vehicle details and said I would be in touch.

He actually lives round the corner from me.

 

Can I call the coppers to report the accident now, just to have some sort of record of it, or should I have done it at the scene?

I feel I have been rather naiive expecting him to be as honest as me. I was tired and just wanted to go home!

[Cavcraft]

Yes and tell your insurance company too. If the coppers ask just say he was very convincing and you didn't understand the law, or something like that.

[Pete-M]

Dibble won't be even slightly interested unless someone was injured.

 

(I work with claims...)

[dollywobbler]

Why get the Police involved? They only need to know if there's personal injury. If you know where he lives, see if he'll come up with the readies. If not, insurance time.

[Pillock]

Although leaving the scene of an accident is a crime, if it's done by mutual consent nothing will be done by the police.

 

Personally, I'd have done exactly the same - if you get insurers involved in classic car repairs it's often a nightmare. Would you want Just Car Clinic sorting your TR? I'd give him a week to come true, then ring the 5-0 if he doesn't pay up.

 

The police helped me track someone down who gave false details after reversing into my car, even though I'd not reported it initially. Looked up the address on the PNC and then casually dropped it into conversation when they came round to speak to us about it. I think the shock of us finding them and putting a card through their letterbox reminding us that they owed us for repairs got things moving!

[RedSparrow]

Thanks guys. Especially Pillock - I needed that re-assurance!

He did seem genuine for what its worth.

I'll get my dad (runs a garage) and his mate (ex-leyland mechanic who re-built the engine) to have a look at it and knock up a quote.

[Alexg]

Hope the cars ok mate

[trigger]

Sorry to hear about the TR as well.

 

Hope it isn't that bad, sometimes rear end damage can be a lot worse then you think, It's the unseen parts that write a car off like the boot floor and chassis.

[RedSparrow]

I had a look over the boot floor, doesn't seem to have been any movement so fingers crossed.

I am so ridiculously busy at the moment - Why do these things happen when I don't have time to sort them out?!!

[Mr H Sceptre]

Surely you should report it to Plod to get a crime reference number, just incase you have to go down the insurance route?

[dollywobbler]

Surely you should report it to Plod to get a crime reference number, just incase you have to go down the insurance route?

Nope. Not a requirement at all. It isn't a criminal offence to crash a car, only to flee the scene of the accident.

[RedSparrow]

I'm hoping it will be ok. This is from the Sussex Police website:

 

‘Damage Only’ Collision

There is no need to report ‘damage-only’ incidents to the police, provided that the following details have been exchanged:

• Name and address of the drivers involved,

• Details of the registered owner (if different to that of the driver).

• The identification mark (referred to as either registration mark or index) of the vehicle.

The matter can then be dealt with by either the insurance companies or by civil claim.

[Cavcraft]

Ah, apologies. I only mentioned the police in case the other fella is not insured.

[Pillock]

http://askmid.com

[Mr H Sceptre]

Surely you should report it to Plod to get a crime reference number, just incase you have to go down the insurance route?

Nope. Not a requirement at all. It isn't a criminal offence to crash a car, only to flee the scene of the accident.

Ah right, gotcha

[warren t claim]

*Scouse alert* Is your neck feeling stiff yet? Are you suffering from shock and trauma?

[RedSparrow]

http://askmid.com

Oh joys...

 

T992GRH is NOT on the Motor Insurance Database today

 

By allowing someone to drive this vehicle, the driver is at risk of being STOPPED by the police and having their vehicle impounded, and possibly DISPOSED OF, if proof of insurance cannot be provided.

So I guess I make him pay up or threaten to get the police involved.

[FredTransit]

There's more

 

www.autocheck.co.uk

 

Sorry, but we have been unable to identify this car. Please recheck the Vehicle Registration Mark.

 

If you are sure that you entered the correct Vehicle Registration Mark, please contact our Service Support team who will be happy to look into this matter for you further.

Registration Plate*T992GRH

Did one of us get the reg wrong?

[RedSparrow]

Did one of us get the reg wrong?

YES! Thank God!

 

T992RGH is on the Motor Insurance Database today

 

The details on the MID are:

 

Vehicle Make/Model: VAUXHALL ASTRA 1.6I (99 ON) SXI 5DR

 

If these details are not correct, check the registration entered or contact your insurance provider.

Phew!!! I feel a bit better now!

[dieselnutjob]

If he gave you his correct name and address then he hasn't necessarily broken any law.

Also if he wants to repair your car at his own expense instead of claiming on his insurance (if he has any) then that's his right.

If he doesn't sort it out then call your insurance company.

If he fixes at his own expense without involving insurance then it actually works to your advantage because there won't be a record of any accident on your file, which will put your premiums up even though it's not your fault.

The police will not be interested, even if he's uninsured. They will just tell you to talk to your insurance company about it, and they will put your premiums up for making a claim etc etc.