I recently got involved in a minor accident and i was at mistake. I have a comprehensive insurance but i am new to all this insurance claiming. I have an excess of $700 and i doubt the damage i sustained will cost more than that to fix it so i prefer to get my damage fixed by myself.
But now i received a letter from the other party's insurance asking for claim number from my insurance.
What does this mean and how do i go about resolving this matter?
Thanks!
Well noted so looks like your plant Mars has the same procedure as my planet Earth!
What about Ur anus?
We don't tell that to people who don't have one!
Years ago, I was stopped at a traffic light when the car behind me rolled forward into my car. It wasn't a big impact, but it was loud and my car definitely sustained a bit of rear bumper damage. We discussed it and I told him just to give me $500 cash and we can let it slide…he can fix his car himself if he wanted (was a shite box, so I doubt it), and I could fix my car myself (I didn't end up fixing it, because it probably would have cost more than $500)…
Did you discuss or ask the other driver if they were willing to fix outside of insurance? It doesn't seem like it.
If the other driver will not let you pay them cash (or repair their car outside of insurance), then you would be forced to make a claim and pay the excess, so you might as well fix your car in the same claim…think of it like paying $350 per car? Although your premium will probably go up when you have to renew also…from what I've read 10%-15% at least, but shop around…it might not pay to stay with the same insurer.
EDIT: You will be surprised how much stuff costs to repair…
Congratulations for being the only OP on OzBargain with comprehensive insurance!
If you were to blame for the accident, you have to pay for the damage you caused to the other car as well as your own car.
That's why you have comprehensive insurance; so that if you cause expensive damage then the insurance company will take care of it all for you (your car and theirs) and you just pay your excess. Next time your insurance renewal will probably cost more because they see you as a risky driver.
Chances are the other car's damage costs plus your cars' damage costs will well exceed your excess, so you might as well make a claim to get everything fixed without hassle. Ring your insurance company and tell them what happened and that you've received a letter from the other party. They will tell you what to do.
Fully comp insurance??? You won't find anyone with experience here I'm afraid.
ALl jokes aside, you might be surprised how much the repair cost. Either way, it seems like your opportunity for a handshake agreement with this other guy might have passed… Their insurance company will track yours down eventually.
so even if i have the comprehensive insurance i will still have to pay for the other car's damage repair ?? whats the use of getting the comprehensive insurance then?
You only pay $700 for everything. Ie fixing your car and their car. Even if the actual cost of fixing both cars costs more than $700.
If you cause an accident you have to pay for everything.
If you cause an accident and have comprehensive insurance you pay the insurance company excess and they pay for the rest*.
*Read your PDS to find out exactly what you will be covered for. Not all insurance covers the same thing. Some might include free hire car and your choice of repairer etc but others (mainly budget ones) don't.
Yeah… What did you think happened, it was free to fix the other drivers car?
Your excess is what you pay when you make a claim so the other drivers' insurance may have assessed that you caused $1500 in damage to their client's car. If your car also has say $500 in damage then you pay $700 for both to be fixed.
If the other driver's car has $500 worth of damage and you don't care about your car or it has no damage then you can pay the $500 upfront without going through your insurance.
The letter from the other party's insurer should say something like "please call us with a claim number or pay us via Bpay/credit card"
Even if you damages come out less than your excess and you tell your insurer that you will fix it yourself, a claim is still lodged against you because 1. you were in an accident, and 2. it was your fault and you need to repair the other party's car. This will inevitably affect your premiums upon renewal as you are considered as having made a claim!
First of all, you are only responsible for the amount it costs to fix their car due to your negligence in causing the accident, I feel like we both agree that this is fair.
I also think you handled the situation badly. You should have spoken to the other guy about this at the time of the accident (when you guys exchanged details) or given him a call shortly afterwards to discuss. The fact that you didn't initiate any contact has probably led him to file an insurance claim not knowing what your intentions are. That's what's expected from the other driver, so it looks like he's done exactly what was required.
The truth is, unless it's very, very minor damage, i.e. just paint scrape, it'll cost more than $350 per car to fix, believe me, repairs are not cheap. Your premiums might increase around 10%, but if you have a good driving record, you should be fine. It'll also fall again progressively too.
My wife hit another car a while ago. Our excess was either $100 or $1200, cant remember. It was well worth claiming to have our car fixed too despite only having minor scratch damage. The other car only had a front bumper knocked off on one side. Repairing theirs only would probably gone close to the excess by itself (new bumper and some paint)
Even if their damage is minor it will probably cost more than $700. Make the claim and get your car fixed too. Move on.
Thanks a lot guys for your responses on this matter ; much appreciated. I will keep this in mind and will do the needful.
Excess paid will activate a claim on your policy.
Your insurer will provide you with a claim number (after payment)
You own car will get fixed.
The car you hit will get fixed.
(…what if u hit a lambo?)
Cost out of pocket:
Yearly insurance premium
+excess
Your full comprehensive insurance should repair all once your excess is paid.
Note: your next year premium may be relatively more costly
Take your car to your preferred mechanic.
I would ring my insurance company and let them know what happened and tell them to sort it out but I don't know what the procedure is on the planet you live on.