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#1 megamini_jb

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Posted 08 November 2014 - 02:17 PM

Just wanted to hear people opinions as I'm not too clued up with insurance claims etc as never needed to.

Basically coming out of work, stop/start crawling, and my mate went into the back of a managers car >_< doh! No damage to his car, but the managers rear bumper had a crack down the number plate recess. Apart from that all cushty. Anyway week or so passed and my mate said that the chap didn't go through insurance and claim on car, instead he went to personal injury solicitors. My mate has only been driving for a year and it's his first incident. Just any advice appreciated really as I think it's a bit ott?... but like I said, I'm not too clued up but feel sorry for my mate a bit as he hasn't got a clue either!

Does it sound legit?

ta, Jamie

Edited by megamini_jb, 08 November 2014 - 02:19 PM.


#2 JetBlackEreg

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Posted 08 November 2014 - 02:21 PM

Probably trying to claim for whiplash. 

 

I work in an insurance repair center and a lot of people will get a quote from us and then pay cash.

 

Not going through insurers will keep your friends insurance costs down he renews his insurance.



#3 megamini_jb

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Posted 08 November 2014 - 02:25 PM

That's good it'll keep his renewals in good health as that's what he was gutted it'd ******* up, just seems such a faff when my mate offered to buy him a new bumper!

Edited by megamini_jb, 08 November 2014 - 02:25 PM.


#4 Carlos W

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Posted 08 November 2014 - 02:25 PM

Whip lash claims are harder to make than they used to be.

 

I'd be getting high quality photos of the damage before it's repaired.

 

The person claiming will need to provide medical reports, show that he had days off work etc.

 

Your mate is going to have to notify his insurance company before the personal injury solicitors contact them.



#5 megamini_jb

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Posted 08 November 2014 - 02:26 PM

Cheers Carlos, so most likely just for whiplash then. Such a douche.

He's got decent pictures of the damage.

Edited by megamini_jb, 08 November 2014 - 02:28 PM.


#6 Carlos W

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Posted 08 November 2014 - 02:29 PM

Cheers Carlos, so most likely just for whiplash then. Such a douche.

He's got decent pictures of the damage.

 

If he's making a false whip lash claim, I hope it comes back and bites him on the bum.

 

I have no problem with people making genuine claims for compensation, but fraudulent ones cost us all through increases in premiums



#7 megamini_jb

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Posted 08 November 2014 - 02:35 PM


Cheers Carlos, so most likely just for whiplash then. Such a douche.

He's got decent pictures of the damage.

 
If he's making a false whip lash claim, I hope it comes back and bites him on the bum.
 
I have no problem with people making genuine claims for compensation, but fraudulent ones cost us all through increases in premiums
Likewise Carlos!

I'm pretty certain it's a false claim then as the cars were crawling about the same speed as a mobility scooter! If that!

I didn't see it as I was behind the car that was behind my mates car, but saw them both pull off to the side so knew what had happened.

Wish I had my dash cam running!

Edited by megamini_jb, 08 November 2014 - 02:37 PM.


#8 Dan

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Posted 08 November 2014 - 10:02 PM

Probably trying to claim for whiplash. 
 
I work in an insurance repair center and a lot of people will get a quote from us and then pay cash.
 
Not going through insurers will keep your friends insurance costs down he renews his insurance.

This is not the case. When you apply for insurance they don't ask you 'have you made a claim in the last 5 years' , they ask 'have you been involved in an accident in the last 5 years'. If you fail to declare this when applying or renewing you are committing fraud. But anyway to answer a whiplash claim your mate will have to get his insurer involved. He won't be able to defend it, or pay it, otherwise. This is what insurance is for. They have a legal department intended to protect you from a simple mistake like this ruining your life. If you end up having to pay someone's medical costs personally it could go on for years. A whiplash claim is going to cost your insurer far more than a bumper repair would. Regardless of whether the claim is successful or not the accident has still happened and legally is your mate's fault. You need pretty water tight mitigating circumstances to get out of going into the back of someone.

Edited by Dan, 08 November 2014 - 10:06 PM.


#9 The Matt

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Posted 08 November 2014 - 10:21 PM

I echo what Dan says.

My car got broken into. I phoned up to ask them what the excess was and to work out whether it was worth claiming for what was stolen. I didn't claim, yet they still recorded it as an incident so I have to declare it.

If there's some form of payout/claim for whiplash, your mate is going to be in a far better position if his insurance is involved. The guy in question could claim 3 or 4k if he's successful. Plus expenses/fees etc. It all adds up very quickly. As an example, I had a crash in 97. Buggered my back up. Went to see a specialist as advised and his consultancy fee was 250. Mum and I were in the same session (she was passenger in my car). 1/4 hour each for the consultancy and a bill of 500 quid! Mental.

#10 megamini_jb

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Posted 08 November 2014 - 10:35 PM

Thanks for the replies guys. Helped him out a bit as I have no clue lol.

He said earlier that he's informed his insurers now and that they have sent the relevant info to their anti fraud department.

Edited by megamini_jb, 08 November 2014 - 10:36 PM.


#11 JetBlackEreg

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Posted 09 November 2014 - 01:52 PM

 

Probably trying to claim for whiplash. 
 
I work in an insurance repair center and a lot of people will get a quote from us and then pay cash.
 
Not going through insurers will keep your friends insurance costs down he renews his insurance.

This is not the case. When you apply for insurance they don't ask you 'have you made a claim in the last 5 years' , they ask 'have you been involved in an accident in the last 5 years'. If you fail to declare this when applying or renewing you are committing fraud. But anyway to answer a whiplash claim your mate will have to get his insurer involved. He won't be able to defend it, or pay it, otherwise. This is what insurance is for. They have a legal department intended to protect you from a simple mistake like this ruining your life. If you end up having to pay someone's medical costs personally it could go on for years. A whiplash claim is going to cost your insurer far more than a bumper repair would. Regardless of whether the claim is successful or not the accident has still happened and legally is your mate's fault. You need pretty water tight mitigating circumstances to get out of going into the back of someone.

 

 

I would advise using companies etc for personal injuries claims but not for a knock such as the one is discussion, it would affect a young persons insurance a great deal. But yes, in regards to personal injury going through a company would be advisable. 






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