[Closed] Wife in collision with cyclist, advise please.

If you have his details then just pass them to your insurer.

Wasnt in Sheffield was it?

Did you find out if he was insured? (e.g. CTC members have third-party insurance as part of membership I believe)

Bristol.

Thankfully she has his details, I've told her to report it to the Police first then contact the insurance co.

How considerable is the damage? Once the insurance company gets involved it'll cost you time and money. I'd start with a polite request to the cyclist, not a p=ss-take insurance figure but an actual cost of repairs.

If you don't report it to insurers it may void a future claim, I'd just pass it to them.

Any witnesses or CCTV?

If you don't report it to insurers it may void a future claim

It may void a future claim for that incident if you don't report it at the time, but not any future claims for unrelated incidents. It's fine to settle incidents amicably without involving the insurance company.

Rusty Spanner - Member

Any witnesses or CCTV?

Unfortunately no witnesses, not sure about CCTV.

Report it - sadly there are some right chancers around, and if the cyclist decides to press a claim, she'll be stuffed if she hasn't informed the police and her insurers.

First thing is to get an estimate from the garage of repairs/damage/costs etc. Then contact the cyclist and request payment for it. All amicable and without the need to bump up your premiums.

If the cyclist contests it or refuses to pay then it's time to involve the insurance. Bear in mind that it's quite possible the cyclist doesn't have insurance (unless he/she is a member of CTC or British Cycling) and will probably be keen to settle this as cheaply as possible. Once you start involving insurance, the costs will go up dramatically and they may be less likely to be able to pay in the first place.

I'd report it to the insures too [and probably the police] the other guy wouldn't be the first to 'go away and think about things' only to come back with a story that'll be so far removed from what you remember, it'll make you wonder if somehow somebody's mixed the paperwork up with another accident altogether

jon1973 - Member

If you don't report it to insurers it may void a future claim

It may void a future claim for that incident if you don't report it at the time, but not any future claims for unrelated incidents. It's fine to settle incidents amicably without involving the insurance company.

Incorrect.

Your claim & loss history affects the premium & therefore must be disclosed for future policies - to not do so may render a policy voidable at the Insurer's instance.

In practical terms the Insurer would have to find out about your loss, which may well be unlikely, but given I work in a simlar field and have seen insureds lose £100Ks for this reason I would not risk it.

What cynic-al says. You can notify your insurer of an incident. Then if need be claim at a later date.

Interesting question. Assuming the cyclist has no insurance, which is likely, how does this play out if the cyclist refuses?

If there's a collision with an uninsured driver, the repairs come out of the MIB pot and the driver gets prosecuted for driving without insurance. In a situation where insurance isn't mandatory, such as road cycling, what incentive is there for the cyclist to do anything other than say "I'm not paying, ring your insurance"?

Tell the insurers, I recently had an accident (someone drove into the side of me as I was driving around a roundabout) person wanted to settle it cash, but when he got the bill decided I drove into him and its all a mess.

The sorting it out cash never works out, as people think that £100 will sort out any damage, and it won't

Insurers can sue him, likely (as with uninsured driver) it ain't worth it and Insurers (& next year's insureds) are out of pocket

When MrPP had a car/bike interface we were told that the house insurance would stump up. Luckily the first claim went through an inept solicitors firm and 3 years later they asked us for the details again, we told them if they had lost them we could not remember who our insurance was with etc. The second bike/car interface the guy did not claim (thankfully)

[i]If there's a collision with an uninsured driver, the repairs come out of the MIB pot and the driver gets prosecuted for driving without insurance. [/i]

I could be wrong, but doesn't MIB only cove personal injuries and death, not damage?

Turns out the details he gave are false.

was going to say police usually aren't interested unless someone is injured

Turns out the details he gave are false.

(edit) for what good it will do.

+1, burn him :ggggrrrrrrrr:

Wait at the same spot, same time for a while then raise a mob when of internet hardmen when he appears 🙂

Call your insurance and notify police, not a lot else you can do at the moment

Don't take what your wife said as exactly what happened - there is usually more than one version of the truth.

uplink - Member
I'd report it to the insures too [and probably the police] the other guy wouldn't be the first to 'go away and think about things' only to come back with a story that'll be so far removed from what you remember, it'll make you wonder if somehow somebody's mixed the paperwork up with another accident altogether

POSTED 2 HOURS AGO # REPORT-POST

Read this and understand that unless you log the incident with the Police AND the insurer in 2yrs time you'll receive a claim from nowhere for damages and injuries caused when your wife drove into the cyclist.

I wouldn't trust anyone and would have it recorded everywhere for future cover.

teef - Member

Don't take what your wife said as exactly what happened - there is usually more than one version of the truth.

Ok I'll bite, she's my wife I'd trust her version of events over and above someone who gives false details.

Clubber, she has seen him before at around the same time, he has a very distinguishing feature so we could be in for a lynching. 😉

It is best to report it to the police, and to your insurance company.

A car drove into the back of my wifes car, whilst she was stopped at traffic lights. The fella was full of excuses and appologies. Anyways, there was witsnesses who gave their details etc and she takes down the drivers details etc. and when she got home informed the police, who said unless anybody was hurt - then just report it to the insurance firm. They did give her a crime report number.
Anyways - she was not injured, only shook up, and her car was a few years old and I could see no real damage. So she decided not to have the car taken away for inspection as the insurance company offered (they would no doubt find something and write car off because it was a few years old.
About 18mths later, she recieved a letter from an insurance company informing her that this same guy was claiming against her.

Luckily she had kept the police crime report number and witness details. It could have been different if she had not!

Tell the insurers, I recently had an accident (someone drove into the side of me as I was driving around a roundabout) person wanted to settle it cash, but when he got the bill decided I drove into him and its all a mess.

The sorting it out cash never works out, as people think that £100 will sort out any damage, and it won't

Had virtually the same issue. Woman ploughs into wife's Smart car in a car park. We're shopping and the cars parked. Woman driving a Mercedes ML, virtually no damage to hers, plenty of damage to ours. Husband calls after 4 days saying "probably don't need insurance to be involved, get a quote and we'll sort it out"

Got the quote, over 1200 quid, suddenly the back peddling starts and lots of "its a Smart car, how does it cost that much, take it to another garage blah blah blah!!!" Unfortunately he didn't take into account that Smart are Mercedes and don't get the half price because it's half a car.

Go through insurance every time, that's what you pay for and everyone is friendly until they realise it'll be more than £50

You report it to your insurance company and they have your car repaired under your insurance. The recovery of of the costs is not your responsability its the insurance firms. You do not have to work out who is to blame. Thats why you report the accident, if you take matter in to your own hands your on your own. Dont do it.

always worth taking pics of damage and also people involved..

Whereabouts in Bristol did it happen?

About 18mths later, she recieved a letter from an insurance company informing her that this same guy was claiming against her.

Luckily she had kept the police crime report number and witness details. It could have been different if she had not

Again +1.

Cyclist gets an ambulance chaser company to ring your insurer up saying 'he pulled out on me and I haven't been able to work since'.

Just to play devil's advocate, I wonder if there's a interweb thread currently running about 'some dozy tart pulled out in front of me, yadda yadda yadda'?

I'd fully expect to see that sort of thing as unfortunately it is usually the cyclist who comes off worse. Of course I'm not saying this is what happened and it doesn't sound good that the fella has apparently given bogus info.

£37 for a year's [url= http://www.ctc.org.uk/desktopdefault.aspx?tabid=4089 ]CTC membership[/url] is a no brainer .to me

Bear in mind that it's quite possible the cyclist doesn't have insurance (unless he/she is a member of CTC or British Cycling)

Assuming the cyclist has no insurance, which is likely

£37 for a year's CTC membership is a no brainer .to me

I'm always amazed at the ignorance on here about this issue. The vast majority of cyclists have 3rd party insurance.

I don't. Do I need it?

Aracer?

I'm always amazed at the ignorance on here about this issue. The vast majority of cyclists have 3rd party insurance.

How are we insured? I know I'm not unless I'm at Swinley.

Not that I'd suggest CTC membership is a bad idea, but in relation to incidents like this, how specifically do you think it helps you?

CTC membership includes 3rd party insurance cover and legal costs IIRC.

I'm always amazed at the ignorance on here about this issue. The vast majority of cyclists have 3rd party insurance.

really? I am not and I don't think I know anyone who is

I get my thrid party via BC, rather than the CTC ... but the benefits are:

[b]Legal assistance for not at fault[/b]
[i]access to solicitors who will assess whether or not there are reasonable prospects of succeeding with a legal action against a third party. If our appointed solicitors are satisfied that there are reasonable prospects of success and you are resident in the UK a claim can be pursued on your behalf.[/i]

[b]Third Party (Public) Liability Insurance[/b]
[i]If you are involved in an incident that was (or is alleged to have been) your fault or partly your fault your insurance cover indemnifies you in respect of a successful third party claim made against you to a limit of £10 million and you will not be liable for the payment of any insurance ‘excess'.[/i]

Whats the damage to car? I'm surprised a bicycle can actually do considerable damage. Is it just paint work? dented? smashed windows?

I am not and I don't think I know anyone who is

[edit]

Sometimes accidents while out and about are covered under Home Insurance Policy. Depends of course if you have Home Insurance (I don't!). Also depends on the T's & C's of the Home Insurance Policy and any exclusions.

And it's bugger all use if the guy has given false details.

As mentioned, I can't understand why someone would go out onto public roads on a bike often worth thousands of pounds (add up the cost of your cycling clothing, I bet that'll run into several hundred on its own!) and not have insurance. I have that through my membership of British Cycling.

Dented bonnet, scuffed bumper and dented wing

He hit it hard.

Yes crazy, but 3rd party doesn't cover your £thousands of kit, only the person you hit.

And I've never had home insurance that covered me for liability? Usualy legal assistance is an option, this pays for a solicitor to fight your corner, but if you're sued you still pay out not tue insurers.

Otherwise whats the point in car insurance if my home insurance would cover it?

And I've never [s]had home insurance that covered me for liability?[/s] read the terms of my home insurance properly

Otherwise whats the point in car insurance if my home insurance would cover it?

3rd party doesn't cover your £thousands of kit, only the person you hit.

I am not. I am sure of that. I very much doubt the vast majority of cyclists are.

I am not. I am sure of that. I very much doubt the vast majority of cyclists are.

You seriously think that most people don't live somewhere covered by home insurance?

As aracer says - standard house insurance has covered me for 3rd party loses for collisions while on my bike in the past. No better or worse than the basic CTC/BC package (AFAIK).

I'm surprised a bicycle can actually do considerable damage. Is it just paint work? dented? smashed windows?

I rode into a car that turned across me, 2 doors, a wing, bumper and a window. £3500 on a Lexus IS200 apparently. It's easy if you try!

Hmmmmmmmm

Well out of interest I did look at my policy and I have public liability - does that really cover me for 3rd party claims on my bike?

I am suprised.

Well out of interest I did look at my policy and I have public liability - does that really cover me for 3rd party claims on my bike?

Believe so. Example - many moon ago, while I was at Uni, my parents house insurance happily paid up when I was in collision with a car (all my own fault - still have the scars) without any quibble. Had similar'good' experiences on my own policy more recently.

The insurance company have confirmed that if they can trace the individual one option they have is claiming from his home insurance.

You have no home insurance?

I don't. I do however have buildings insurance and contents insurance. I know not of this "home insurance" of which you speak. Which one of these provides me with third party liability insurance?

Contents.

And that provides insurance for other people's property in the event that I damage it accidentally?

Wow. I think I need to check my policy.

According to my wife's insurance company, in her situation it does.

Cougar - Member
And that provides insurance for other people's property in the event that I damage it accidentally?

Wow. I think I need to check my policy.

It's actually pretty standard on content insurance IME - it's certainly something I check for before taking out any insurance policy.

Well out of interest I did look at my policy and I have public liability - does that really cover me for 3rd party claims on my bike?

I am suprised.

I'm always amazed at the ignorance on here about this issue. The vast majority of cyclists have 3rd party insurance.
really? I am not and I don't think I know anyone who is

Only those of us who've smashed themselves into a car 😳 will have actually checked this out I reckon. I know I'm covered by the public liability part of our house insurance. I checked. And I reckon pretty much everyone with house insurance will be covered just the same.....

In common with a few on here my brother had an incident at a junction at the bottom of a hill in town; he was in a line of traffic, the vehicle in front pulled away and he moved forward and stopped as something was coming from his right. Muppet behind assumed he was pulling away and was looking right and didn't stop. Cue my 6'4" brother screaming invective at the driver as he picked up his CB750KZ, with smashed rear light, tail fairings and mudguard. His shouting actually brought the ladies out of the wool shop nearby to see what was going on. Driver admits responsibility, couldn't do otherwise, and opts to pay cash. Now this was fifteen or so years ago, and the bill for repairs was then £250, quite a lot of money. There was a long pause on the phone, before the driver says 'bloody hell, that's expensive, d'you mind if we do it through the insurance?'
He's still riding the bike too, after his 1200 Bandit got totalled a couple of years ago, and him nearly with it. That driver wasn't insured, either.
I'd always go via the insurer.

Tricky one this.the police wouldn't need to be notified as it's not a recordable accident,ie damage only.however,the cyclist failed to provide his details so commits offences whether traffic based or even criminal damage.

The vast majority of cyclists have 3rd party insurance.

Do they? I don't, and I don't know any others that do....

Turns out the details he gave are false.

Oh well. Just be grateful no-one's hurt, put it down to experience and move on.

wee in her shoes.. 🙂

Do they? I don't, and I don't know any others that do....

Oh I haddunt thought of that actually. Does it cover you if you crash yer bike into a car?

apparantly so Elf. News to me as well

Where's GG? Can somebody get him to come on here and claim he doesn't have 3rd party insurance for riding a bike? My day would then be well and truly made then 😉

Oi - Ill withdraw my post if you gloat too much

I'll stop now, TJ - at least until next time the Tower Hamlets Assertion gets used 😉 Really hadn't expected to get quite so much enjoyment out of such an innocent thread 🙂

Anyway, back to my original point (we've well and truly derailed the original topic now haven't we?) - I'm amazed at the ignorance on here about this. It's like we've been brainwashed by the motorists "you don't pay road tax, you don't have insurance", when the reality is that the motorists have to get a licence and specific insurance whilst we have a right and are covered by generic liability insurance (we all know about road tax don't we?) The thing is, whilst motorists go round killing thousands of people every year and causing millions (billions?) of pounds worth of damage, as cyclists we cause so little in the way of injuries and damage that it's not a problem to cover us under generic insurance. Such an important point that it really surprises me such a cycling advocate as TJ not knowing - well you do now, HTH.

As for CTC membership benefits, there are all sorts of other reasons for joining and I'd hate to put anybody off, but we've covered 3rd party insurance. As for legal cover, well I have that under my contents insurance too, but even if I didn't http://bikeline.co.uk/ - my personal experience of making claims using legal cover suggests that it makes very little difference - legal cover won't help you to fight any more of a hopeless case than NWNF.

I'd still advise your insurance company and the Police/get a log even if the lad gave false details. In 2yrs time he'll pop up and simply say your wife wrote them down wrong and challenge me/show me the details.

Yes your/her premium will go up however you haven't claimed.

Doorbell went at 9.30 last night, two Policeman had come to let us know that the chap had made contact with them as he was worried he had given the wrong details, the address was his old house, but the mobile number was completely different. so draw your own conclusions from that, anyway looks like he had a crisis of conscience.

So we now have the correct number and address for him, this will be forwarded to the insurance company and I will also be contacting him to ask him to pay the excess.

Hats off to the Police though, considering they are pretty busy at the moment.

HURRAY 😀

and I don't know any others that do....