I bumped into another car and caused minor panel damage. It was my fault and I have given the other driver my details. I am comprehensively insured. Would I need to pay the excess if I decide not to make a claim on my policy, and only the other driver makes a claim? If yes then I'll fix my car too, if no then I won't bother. Thanks.
Do I pay excess if only the other driver claims
skimp on 07/04/2022 - 20:56
Comments
If you decide to pay, you aren’t making a claim and won’t need to pay excess.
Get a quote from their insurer first. If it’s not to much and you don’t want to ping your rating, just pay it.
If they claim and you don't then you need to pay for the cost of repairs to their car.
If they claim and so do you then you pay your excess.
If they claim and I don't, then won't my insurer pay them the cost of repair?
No. They can’t contact your insurer until you make a claim.
No. They can’t contact your insurer until you make a claim.
This is true, but the other party's insurance company will come after the OP for being the at fault party to recover costs. So the OP is still on the 'hook' for the costs one way or another.
I have given the driver my insurance policy details.
The money for the repairs to their car will come from you, or your insurance company.
Bit in either case it is you who will pay, either direct to them, or by making a claim on your insurance and paying the excess.
If I don't claim, then won't my insurer still pay for their repair cost?
I have given the driver my insurance policy details.As the at fault party, your insurer will only ever fork out money if you pay excess, and (as some has pointed out) you make a claim soon after the accident.
No offense OP, but you need to educate yourself more on how insurance works.Thanks, could you provide me some sources of information please?
From what I have read they only mention what happens if I make a claim.
If you don't make a claim and pay the excess to 'activate' the claim with your insurer, your insurer will not get involved, the other parties insurer will come for you (and take you to court in needed) instead of them. Doesn't matter if you've given your insurer details to the other party, your insurer will not act until you pay.
Did OP legit think that they get off scot-free as the at-fault driver as long as the other car has insurance?
I read OP is asking whether paying other car's insurance covers repairing his car, so he doesn't have to make a separate claim on his insurance to repair his minor bump.
I think he is asking if he has to pay an excess when the not at fault party makes a claim to his insurance, and if he doesn't, then he won't bother fixing his car
Correct, that's what I am saying / said.
@skimp: I think you’re still missing the point of most replies here.
It’s not about whether or not you want to fix your car, it’s about whether you want to pay your excess, or you pay directly to the other party/their insurance for their repair cost.What appear to be “minor damage” in your eyes can easily run into thousands, especially when involving insurance.
For example, let’s say their insurer fixed their car for 3k. You now have the option to pay excess to your insurer, so that they can pay the 3k to their insurer, plus fix whatever damage to your car (since you said you have comprehensive).
Or, you can let their insurer bill you directly and pay the 3k out of own your pocket, then you can decide whether you want to fix your own car in your own time or not.
Another option would be settling matters outside of insurances completely, but the other party must be willing (highly unlikely), and considering your limited experience in this matter, I would just pay the excess for the peace of mind.
Fair assumption, but OP’s reply here just confirmed my suspicion.
DOT really need to start incorporating insurance knowledge and requirements into the licensing process.
Would I need to pay the excess if I decide not to make a claim on my policy, and only the other driver makes a claim?
If they claim, then their insurance company comes looking for the 'at fault' party to recover costs. So at that point you have a choice to claim on yours and pay the excess or pay for it all out of pocket.
If yes then I'll fix my car too, if no then I won't bother. Thanks.
Its going to be yes, so just claim now and get them both fixed.
Thanks for your explanation, makes sense.
Would I need to pay the excess if I decide not to make a claim on my policy, and only the other driver makes a claim?
No, you won't have to pay the excess … you'll have to pay the total cost of the other driver's repairs.
You pay one excess for each at fault insured incident, regardless of number of cars/other objects involved
If the other driver claims, it will be a not-at-fault claim and their insurance will come to you for the costs. They will not pay an excess if their insurance is able to successfully recovers the costs.
For the costs you can either claim through your insurance (and pay the excess) or pay the whole thing out of your pocket.Alternatively, both parties can agree to settle without involving insurance, and you just pay for the repairs.
Usually the difficulty is getting a quote that both parties are happy with. E.g. they may choose a more expensive repairer that they trust, using genuine parts and brand new panels etc., whereas you might want to get the cheapest that just beats stuff back into shape.Good luck!
Thanks for your explanation, makes sense.
It was my fault and I have given the other driver my details. I am comprehensively insured.
Honestly, what the hell is this post.
If you make a claim on your comprehensive insurance, then you pay your excess, and both your car and the other party's car will get fixed.
If you do not make a claim, and the other driver makes a claim on their comprehensive insurance, then their insurance company will demand full payment of the repairs from you. To be clear, they could sue you for the recovery of the costs of the repairs if you do not pay.
Your insurance PDS will usually contain a clause that you will refer any potential claim to them for management - you will not just handle it yourself. There is a risk to you that if you do not initially make a claim on your comprehensive insurance, and the other party's insurer comes to you for payment, that your insurer may not indemnify you (or may not indemnify you the full amount of the claim).
Panel and paint repairs are not cheap and I would expect that the other party's damage would quite potentially exceed your excess. I would make a claim on your insurance, and I would do it now.
Thanks for your explanation and warning.
I will proceed with making a claim.Wasn't rocket science, this is what you pay insurance for.
If your insurance is paying for their repairs, then yes.