Do I need to tell my insurers about an accident if the other party's insurance is handling the claim?

I was parked in a private car park and got hit by a van, minor damage only. The driver who ran into the car gave me his personal details, and those of his employer (but not insurance details), saying that his employer would contact me. The van driver's employers use some sort of agency to handle situations where their drivers are involved in incidents. The agency rang me within an hour to say they'll sort out the repairs at no cost to me, using my choice of garage. Should I be concerned, and do I need to tell my own insurers?

Asked on 31 October 2017 by Paul Hickson

Answered by Honest John

If the vehicle was on private property when it was damaged, and the agency is paying for it themselves, it is not a road traffic accident under the RTA 1988. As such, you then need not notify your insurer. If the other party are using their insurer, then you need to notify yours. As long as they are sorting the repairs out at your choice of repairer, then it is fine. Make sure you have a written contract in place with the repairer that you're using, which instructs them to act as your "agent of repair" and that they are acting on your behalf, you do not consent to them negotiating away your loss. This protects you if you have any issue with the repairer at a later date. Not using an accident management company or your insurer means you have no rights of redress should you need to complain though.

Tags: insurance claims consumer advice repair costs

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