liam.mccaffrey
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| posted on 7/4/15 at 10:39 AM |
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Accident Advice
Long story but here is the quick version.
I was involved in a minor tintop prang last week where a taxi swiped the front of my car. I sustained minor damage probably new grill and a re-spray
on the bumper. The other car had damage to the front bumper, wing and front left headlight. This will go down as a fault claim against me.
I had a call from the taxi company this morning offering me the option of keeping the insurance companies out of the picture for £250. So essentially
I can fix my car myself and pay £250 to get out of a fault claim on my insurance. Quite an attractive option I think.
However 3 things are bothering me:
1. Why don’t they want to go through the insurance? £250 seems very very cheap for their repairs and its supposed to include their loss of business
costs for 3 days over easter!!
2. There was a passenger in the taxi during the accident, what if the passenger suddenly decides he has a “bad neck”. Does he claim through my
insurers or the taxi companies?? How does that work if neither of us make a claim?
3. I have already told my insurers about the accident and we have started the ball rolling with our repairs.
Any advice?
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Doctor Derek Doctors
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| posted on 7/4/15 at 10:48 AM |
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I did this once when I dented a blokes van, was better than losing no claims and faffing with insurance.
In your situation I would not do it, mainly because there is a 3rd party involved and it may come back to bite you at a later date and as they are a
business you could inadvertantly be aiding some sort of fraud or funny business. I'd do it by the book in this case.
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JoelP
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| posted on 7/4/15 at 10:48 AM |
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If you've told your insurer, it's too late up settle. Even if you drop the claim they still have a record of an admitted fault accident.
I'd not take the risk of a personal injury claim coming back, even though you'd just pass it to your insurer anyway.
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cliftyhanger
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| posted on 7/4/15 at 11:06 AM |
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they are more paranoid than most about accident claims. It can cost them a lot, even if non-fault. And in reality a cash settlement is best for
everybody. Plus they will have a pet bodyshop who will do a very quick (and probably dirty) fix. I doubt the car was off the road for long at all.
However, you have started the claim, so that is that. You may be able to withdraw the claim. I know a few years ago a mate "bought back" a
previous claim from an insurer, as it meant he had a clean record. Saved him real money when he insured his Noble and M3CSL...
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Slimy38
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| posted on 7/4/15 at 11:11 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by cliftyhanger
they are more paranoid than most about accident claims. It can cost them a lot, even if non-fault.
Having seen premiums go up because a no fault accident was declared, I can imagine it hurting a taxi driver quite a lot.
But something doesn't sit right for me, I'd keep this one going through insurance. But that's just me.
(The cynical side of me suggests the other guy doesn't have the appropriate amount of insurance and is looking at a driving ban and loss of
job...)
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cliftyhanger
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| posted on 7/4/15 at 11:48 AM |
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Agreed, I wouldn't trust a taxi driver as far as I could throw them (and most are pretty heavy)
That said, my dad knows a few taxi drivers, and some of them get stitched up with scams claims. One bloke laid in the road, then got a bunch of
witnesses that the taxi had hit him. Cost the driver a few bob, and loads of grief. Hey ho.
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morcus
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| posted on 7/4/15 at 01:43 PM |
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As others said, if you've already reported it there's no point not claiming as your insurance will go up so you won't save any
money.
It might be innocent, but I've known a lot of people working in Taxi and private hire jobs and know how dodgy some of the industry can be.
Something else to consider, though probably not likely, they could take your £250 then claim on your insurance as well or something along those lines.
Maybe even try and do you for bribery.
In a White Room, With Black Curtains, By the Station.
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rusty nuts
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| posted on 7/4/15 at 05:45 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by cliftyhanger
Agreed, I wouldn't trust a taxi driver as far as I could throw them (and most are pretty heavy
There is at least one taxi driver on the forum and I doubt you could lift him
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