At Fault Accident - Claim on Insurance or Fix Privately

L[Deactivated] on 23/12/2017 - 23:15
Last edited 24/12/2017 - 13:28 by 1 other user

Background info about myself - 18 year old male on green P plates with zero traffic offences and no prior accidents.

Tonight had my first car accident. Came around the corner from the traffic lights and the car in front slammed on the brakes - which in turn I slammed on my brakes. I have seem to have hit the car in front at <5km/h.

The car in front back bumper is very scratched from previous mishaps, and the driver whose car I hit is claiming a 2 cm long scratch on the rear bumper. My car is undamaged. We exchanged details, took photos, etc.

Should I go through insurance (I am comprehensively insured - parent's policy) and risk getting increased insurance rates, or attempt to fix this already scratched bumper privately without the use of insurance.

Poll Options

  • 3
    Privately without getting insurance involved
  • 32
    Through insurance
Automotive

closed Comments

  • smuggler on 23/12/2017 - 23:28

    Always through insurance in case he tries to pull a shifty one.

  • lovesabargain77 on 23/12/2017 - 23:33
    +3

    How much is the excess on your policy?

    • [Deactivated] on 24/12/2017 - 06:08

      i think it is $1000

      • Baysew on 24/12/2017 - 09:47
        +1

        What is the cost to repair the other car?

        • [Deactivated] on 24/12/2017 - 11:55

          not sure yet as they haven't contacted me - happened last night

        • Baysew on 24/12/2017 - 13:23
          +1

          @martinjonesy: Wait and see what the "claim" comes to. Your not really in a position to make a decision just yet.

          From your post below, "hundreds of dollars" in repairs is less than $1k excess.

        • donga100 on 24/12/2017 - 15:27

          @Baysew: Don't wait as your insurance may have a clause which says you need to report any accidents to them ASAP. Try contacting the other car owner and see if they would be interested in a cash settlement rather than repairing their car. They might be OK with this if they were OK with driving the car with a damaged bumper in the first place. If they get it repaired as an insurance job it will almost certainly not be under $1k as the repairer will charge for a brand new bumper, complete respray of rear, etc.

  • Quantumcat on 23/12/2017 - 23:57
    -1

    Use insurance, maybe your insurer can use the fact that your car is undamaged to show you weren't the cause of the scratch.

  • Presence on 24/12/2017 - 00:01
    +3

    If you choose not to go through insurance make sure to get a signed document stating you've paid for repairs and a mechanic has inspected the vehicle and you're no longer liable for any more costs. If the other party won't sign then don't give them a cent.

  • Cheeper on 24/12/2017 - 01:07
    +4

    Cheap way for him to get his bumper tidied up??
    If you choose to not go through insurance get them to sign a waiver for all future claims. There would be examples on the net. If they refuse to sign then wait until you get a claim from them in writing… either through their insurer or a letter of demand from them with quotes.

    Leave room in future… it may be cool to drive close but not so cool when they jump on the anchors when you least expect it.

  • Findo on 24/12/2017 - 01:08
    +4

    Get a dash cam for peace of mind and for the ‘insurance against (profanity)’ factor

  • iratepirate on 24/12/2017 - 07:13

    Sounds like a scam. What were they stopping for?
    If they've all ready shown they're dodgy, you would be mad to not use the insurance you pay large premiums for.

    Get a dash cam today - front and rear.

    • [Deactivated] on 24/12/2017 - 11:57

      they stopped due to a car on the other side of the road coming into our side in order to skip a few cars in traffic to get into a right turn lane. shame the car i hit or myself didn't have a dashcam as it would've shown that car caused the incident

      • spackbace on 24/12/2017 - 12:12
        +12

        as it would've shown that car caused the incident

        Caused yes, but didn't cause you to hit the other car. You need to keep a safe braking distance at all times.

        Best bit of advice I got when learning to drive - assume everyone on the road is an idiot

        • [Deactivated] on 24/12/2017 - 12:15
          -1

          yeah that's true. just frustrating that a little scratch that they claim i put on their already scratched up car which looks like it's never been washed is either going to cost me hundreds of dollars to fix or going to put up my insurance costs and ruin my mum's 5+ year no claim rating ( car is insured under my mum's name)

        • spackbace on 24/12/2017 - 12:16
          +1

          @martinjonesy:

          That's the risk you run by insuring under parents name to reduce the premium unfortunately.

        • [Deactivated] on 24/12/2017 - 12:18

          @Spackbace:
          yeah it had to go under parents name or comprehensive would've cost $4000 each year!

        • Musing Outloud on 25/12/2017 - 10:55

          @DisabledUser244361: What was the reason for the car in front slamming on its brakes?

  • Euphemistic on 24/12/2017 - 07:37
    +4

    Talk to your insurance company. Avoid claiming if possible, it might only cost $1k to replace and respray a bumper in which case you’ll be better off not paying the excess and having an at fault claim on your record.

  • wei13 on 24/12/2017 - 10:47
    +1

    Don't see why private is not an option, as long as there is satisfactory paperwork. You can wait for their letter of demand first. If it is reasonable then just pay yourself, and make sure they also write you something to say they have received their demand and won't pursue it any further.

    If they are trying to be dodgy or unreasonable then just go through insurance.

    It is possible to lodge an intention to claim with your insurance advising them first, without actually claiming (or withdrawing the claim later).

    Case: dad very lightly rear-ended a car at the lights. Later received demand for 600. Settled privately as it was close to excess anyways and don't need to leave a claim record.

  • Dont Care on 24/12/2017 - 12:13
    -3

    One of those P plate tail gating (profanity). Learn to drive properly.

    • [Deactivated] on 24/12/2017 - 12:16
      -6

      thanks for the advice Craig Lowndes.

      • Dont Care on 24/12/2017 - 12:29

        I would advise you to undertake a defensive driving course.

        • [Deactivated] on 24/12/2017 - 13:12
          -8

          ok then. just peeped your profile- looks as though you have a sad hobby where you comment stuff on forums which is unhelpful and probably laugh to yourself whilst doing it down in your mum's basement

  • Yummy on 24/12/2017 - 12:32
    +3

    If you can't see the front car's rear tires, you are too close mate. Always gives distance and especially extra cautious in red light or intersection.

    • greatlamp on 25/12/2017 - 09:45
      +1

      If you don't see the front car's rear tires WHILE STATIONARY. That is the distance you should leave at the lights. I hear this bad advice too often.

      If you only leave one car length while driving you WILL hit the car in front.

      You need 1 second of distance to react, plus your braking distance.

      • Musing Outloud on 25/12/2017 - 10:58
        +1

        Two to three seconds in fact.

        But that is also a wide open invitation for any Sydney driver to change lanes in front of you.

  • [Deactivated] on 24/12/2017 - 13:03
    +9

    Can't add anything more to what others have said apart from "Holy Crap! An 18yr-old P-plater who's had a bingle and actually has insurance!
    So, good on ya for that, at least. :)

  • jcsantos on 24/12/2017 - 13:12

    I go private and what others have said have a waiver ready

  • champ21 on 25/12/2017 - 04:01

    Disableduser already? 18year p plates zero offences and traffic accidents. Id friggin hope so. not even off Ps and in an accident you caused well done!

  • LUTSlit on 25/12/2017 - 05:04

    Try not to hit another car next time Xx

  • mattie on 25/12/2017 - 09:35

    Go private, offer $200 tell him that's all you have. If his car got scratched yours would have too.
    Don't let him bully you there's no way he will waste his time with letter demands etc, wait for him contact you , he may just not worry about it at all.

  • [Deactivated] on 25/12/2017 - 09:47

    Fingers crossed they never call… I've had someone scratch my bike in traffic. Took their details, couldn't be bothered with all the hassle of getting the tiny scratch repaired and dealing with their insurance, so just left it.

    But hopefully this is a good lesson about following distance. It's the most common accident type, and nearly always preventable.

  • OzzyOzbourne on 25/12/2017 - 10:21

    Well done for driving for a few months by yourself without any offences or accidents. So, do you think you'll stop tailgating after this accident, or are you convinced it was unavoidable because the other car stopped?

  • Moderatorneil on 25/12/2017 - 11:08

    OP Disabled account so guess he has his answer, Comments closed.

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