Car Accident - Insurance help needed!

13 Aug 2004

Hello,
I had a car accident today (not looking for sympathy btw).
I have a Â£400 excess on my insurance policy and I'm not sure how I'm going to pay it!
The other party wants it to go through the insurance even though there's not much damage. So if she goes through the insurance but I get my repairs done privately will I still have to pay the excess on my policy?
Not sure if anyone knows about this kind of thing but thought I'd ask anyway.
Thanks,
Kelly

13 Aug 2004

13 Aug 2004

Quote by onlyme1981
Hello,
I had a car accident today (not looking for sympathy btw).
I have a Â£400 excess on my insurance policy and I'm not sure how I'm going to pay it!
The other party wants it to go through the insurance even though there's not much damage. So if she goes through the insurance but I get my repairs done privately will I still have to pay the excess on my policy?
Not sure if anyone knows about this kind of thing but thought I'd ask anyway.
Thanks,
Kelly

If YOU don't go through your insurance and get the repairs done privately , I don't think there'd be any justifiable reason why you'd be paying excess since you're NOT claiming on your insurance.
The other party would be going through their own insurance and would be paying the excess on their own policy ... however, not sure how situation changes if they claim that you were at fault and try to reclaim costs off you via your insurers but I would guess, the excess may then apply.
Though, if the damage only costs, say, Â£100 to repair, I can't see how you could be asked to pay the full Â£400 since the excess is only to cover 'the FIRST Â£nnn pounds of any claim'.
In any case, since they have intimated that they will be going through their insurers, to cover your own back, I would suggest you report the incident but mention that you are simply informing them of what happened, you are NOT making any sort of claim.
Also, should you get any mail whatsoever from either the other parties insurers or anyone acting for them, do NOT respond personally, forward it to your insurers and have them deal with everything ... that's what we pay them these vaste sums of money for ...
Hope that helps ...
smile

PS: Hope I've not alarmed you in any way, just wanted to cover everything I'm aware of ...

13 Aug 2004

Oh Dear Onlyme1981
Wasn't on the way to your job interview by any chance?
You seem to be a series of disasters these past weeks!
Anyway, things can only get better! (I sound like a pop song!)
Lots of love :kiss
LC wink

13 Aug 2004

Um, i havent got a clue bout the insurance but i just wanted to say Hope youre ok!!!!!!

13 Aug 2004

Corrie and J3d sugeested you get in touch with your insurance company. This is good advice - they will be more than happy that you are prepared to pay for your repairs. However, I would have a look at the small print on your policy first so you have an idea. Most policies say that the excess applies to the 'loss or damage to the insured car', which is yours and not the other persons.

13 Aug 2004

Hello,
Thank you all for your advice. I have now spoken to my insurance company and I don't have to pay the excess as I'm not going to claim. The 3rd party can claim on their insurance and my company will reimburse her insurance company. It just means my premium will go up next year by a small amount.
I'm ok so thank you for your concern. I was very shaken up as this is my first accident. I'm not hurt - well only by the comments the 3rd party made!!
I'm so relieved I don't have to pay the Â£400 as I don't know where i'd get it from - I have enough money troubles as it is at the moment!
Thank you again - it's comforting to know people care kiss