Insurance question

[axam102]

Sorry is this is the wrong place to post but cant find anywhere that fits. and I guess it is technical or more specific technicality.

This morning I found a letter through the door from a neighbor asking me to remove my transit from the front of their car...
went out to find the girl had been shunted back about 2 foot into the car behind, couldn't start her as she has been sat since Saturday and it was -6 so got him to reverse the car back. the damage was from the tow ball resting on the plastic bumper, no scratches and should be easy to pop out by a specialist mobile dent guy. The neighbor was going on about insurance etc etc and I told him to hang fire and get a quote first knowing the insurance companies love of using a hammer to crack a nut.

Further inspection of the van i found a stress crease in the front bumper and scuff marks so had obviously been hit and pushed back despite being on the handbrake which is a1 and slotted into 4th gear (old habit)

I figure I am as much of a victim as he is, am I liable because some knob Jocky pushed my van into his car? also to fill in some detail, its a narrow road and vans that drive in front first have to reverse out and I'm parked in a designated parking space just after a slight bend. it has to be a van that hit me... I dont know of a car that can shift back two tonne of van and not leave a pile of shite on the floor.

To keep the peace I am willing to meet him half way on a mobile repair as I came out best... so far... my next question and as I still haven't got her started is can i expect hand brake and gearbox damage from being shunted that far? I dont want to look until the weekend... broken gearbox would f*** me right over at the moment. Bonnet is also catching on the passenger wing... so pissed off

[Altransit]

As a rule of thumb, you are liable for any damage your vehicle causes to any other vehicle, or anything else, whatever the reason or the cause of it happening. It's the same deal if you're shunted into the vehicle in front by someone rear ending you.

The vehicle that you've hit will claim off your insurance, and your insurance will claim that back, plus the damage to your vehicle from the vehicle that hit you. In the event of that vehicle not being insured, or not being found, you, or your insurance, will end up paying for the damage.

Sorry, that's not what you want to hear, but that's the way it works

[axam102]

Thanks mate, I had a suspicion that would be the case. so if i have more damage I end up paying for everything even though I was in bed and the van parked up safe on Saturday. Think I can get his car sorted to a professional standard by a mobile dent mechanic. just could have done with saving a few quid this month and not splashing out on crap like this. any idea about the gearbox being rolled back that far? can i expect a bill for that as well?

[Altransit]

I know it's tough, but that really is the way it works, and that's why it's illegal to have an uninsured vehicle on the road, even if you don't drive it anywhere

I can't imagine that your gearbox will have suffered, but there may be a slight possibility of engine damage, caused by it turning over with no oil pressure. The timing chain could have jumped
If it won't start, that could be the problem

[Punto443]

I smashed in to the back of a car on the Forth road bridge and he then bounced in to the car in front of him, however I was only responsible for the first car in the insurances eyes and the car I hit was responsible for the second car. But I believe had I still been in contact with the first car when it hit the second, it would be a different story.

[axam102]

She is insured but mid way into a camper conversion. I only drive it weekends to take the dogs out and keep the battery charged. I only took her out saturday last weekend because the car doesnt drive far either so needed to get some charge into that on sunday. grates me that it was parked up safe and some idiot caused all this and gets away scott free. even if the law was on my side i would probably payed half as I know how I would feel to find a transit parked in my bonnet as well. he is as much a victim as me. I'm pretty sure the van wouldnt start because of the temps and being left so long, glow plug lights were flashing and the battery sounded like it was having a hard time. hope your gearbox predictions are correct, that would be one small relief in all this. I guess the handbrake would just slip given enough load? it in mint condition btw I only use the gears out of habit.

[andz327]

Sorry is this is the wrong place to post but cant find anywhere that fits. and I guess it is technical or more specific technicality.

This morning I found a letter through the door from a neighbor asking me to remove my transit from the front of their car...
went out to find the girl had been shunted back about 2 foot into the car behind, couldn't start her as she has been sat since Saturday and it was -6 so got him to reverse the car back. the damage was from the tow ball resting on the plastic bumper, no scratches and should be easy to pop out by a specialist mobile dent guy. The neighbor was going on about insurance etc etc and I told him to hang fire and get a quote first knowing the insurance companies love of using a hammer to crack a nut.

Further inspection of the van i found a stress crease in the front bumper and scuff marks so had obviously been hit and pushed back despite being on the handbrake which is a1 and slotted into 4th gear (old habit)

I figure I am as much of a victim as he is, am I liable because some knob Jocky pushed my van into his car? also to fill in some detail, its a narrow road and vans that drive in front first have to reverse out and I'm parked in a designated parking space just after a slight bend. it has to be a van that hit me... I dont know of a car that can shift back two tonne of van and not leave a pile of shite on the floor.

To keep the peace I am willing to meet him half way on a mobile repair as I came out best... so far... my next question and as I still haven't got her started is can i expect hand brake and gearbox damage from being shunted that far? I dont want to look until the weekend... broken gearbox would f*** me right over at the moment. Bonnet is also catching on the passenger wing... so pissed off

She is insured but mid way into a camper conversion. I only drive it weekends to take the dogs out and keep the battery charged. I only took her out saturday last weekend because the car doesnt drive far either so needed to get some charge into that on sunday. grates me that it was parked up safe and some idiot caused all this and gets away scott free. even if the law was on my side i would probably payed half as I know how I would feel to find a transit parked in my bonnet as well. he is as much a victim as me. I'm pretty sure the van wouldnt start because of the temps and being left so long, glow plug lights were flashing and the battery sounded like it was having a hard time. hope your gearbox predictions are correct, that would be one small relief in all this. I guess the handbrake would just slip given enough load? it in mint condition btw I only use the gears out of habit.

Mate if it's superficial fook getting insurance involved, you'd probably be cheaper to repair than your excess would be, plus premium increase, and believe me i know first hand how your premiums still jump up even with a no fault claim and 17yrs no claims

[Mike]

Check your policy, you may be required to inform your insurance company immediately that you have had an accident, irrespective of whether you plan to make a claim.