Just had first accident, need advice

asofnow

I was involved in a car accident today. The Garda came and said I was not at fault at all. The other vehicle (100% at fault) was totalled and mine has minor damage that I can fix myself. I've been driving for over 20 years with no accidents or tickets, and have a no-claims bonus to that I don't want to lose.

My question is: In this case, where I don't want to contact my insurance company, and where I don't need need insurance money to repair my vehicle - what do I do? I am new to this country and need help.

So far, I've not reported it to my insurance company. In Ireland, how do things work? In this case where I am not at fault, what are the repercussions if the other driver contacts his own insurance company? Will that affect me in any way? How do I retain my no claims bonus and no accident history? I understand that insurance companies keep records of claims paid out and this leaves me wondering: on my policy, if I don't have a claim (because their insurance company would pay) would I maintain my no claims history? Also, if I don't seek any damages from their insurance company or notify my own, would my insurance penalise me in any way?

I'm used to systems in other countries where you are able to maintain your no claims history so long as you're not at fault. I understand Ireland works differently than most other countries and I'm seeking your advice.

In the best case scenario - I pay for my small repairs myself and maintain my discounts. However, I might as well report it if my insurance will penalise me in any way, so I'm confused about how to proceed.

Are there any lawyers or insurance employees that would like to weigh in? If not publicly then please message me.

Thanks in advance for your help.

drury..

You have to notify your insurance.

Do that first

Tell me how

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058361395/just-had-first-accident-need-advice

Inform your insurance company that you were involved in an accident, but state that you are not making a claim on your insurance at this point. They'll still start a claim case, and send you out direction to fill out all information relating to the claim. This is because the other party may make a claim on your insurance irrespective of whether you feel it is warranted or not. And if they do, the insurance company will determine the justification of the claim one way or another.

If your car is repaired at the cost of the insurers of the other party, you will not lose your no claims, even if you have told your insurance.

When you talk to your insurance, tell them you are not making a claim, you are informing them that you were involved in an incident, they will talk you through the process, they got calls like this every day of the week.

Note, in future, some companies have a 'no claims protection' option which is insurance, of your insurance status. That generally means you can make a small claim without it impacting your no claims protection.

When filling out the occurrence of the incident (which sounds serious if a car was totalled) me as blunt as possible, speak in short clear incidents stating facts rather than opinionated statements. It will just make it easier to repeat your story later if necessary. Take a photo (or screenshot) of your submission and save it for reference later if you might need it.

Atlantic Dawn

Also I'd be inclined to bring your car to have the damage investigated at a dealer or crash repair specialist. What could look like an easy fix from the outside could be major structural damage that is unseen, no point in you being out of pocket if your car isn't roadworthy.

Seth Brundle

The other vehicle (100% at fault) was totalled and mine has minor damage that I can fix myself.

To be honest, it sounds surprising that their car is in a bad way and yours is pretty much fine. How are you so sure of this?

drury..

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122427021#Comment_122427021

I wouldn't see it as surprising

Accidents can end up any way regardless of fault

beachhead

Report the accident to your insurance.Get your car examined-at a location on your insurer's approved list of companies for vehicle repairs.Your insurer will most likely insist on an examination.Damage may not be visible on the outside.Your insurance company will send you accident reporting documents where you describe the accident and make a drawing of the accident before and after - showing direction of travel of each vehicle with the streets/roads named with date and time.If you have the name and number of the Garda include and his station address.The opinion of the Garda may/may not be considered.

Eggs For Dinner

Firstly, you are obliged to notify your insurers about this accident under the terms of your policy. Tell them you are doing this for "notification purposes only" as you intend seeking compensation for your repairs from the other party.

Contact the other party's insurer and initiate a claim. They will send an assessor to examine your vehicle. If liability is agreed, they will pay for your repairs. You can then advise your insurers that you have been compensated and they will close their file with no affect on your bonus.

As a general note to your initial comments, I would just say that Gardai do not decide who is liable for any accidents. That is the function of insurers, or the courts if it gets that far. While their report carries a lot of weight, individual Gardai attending a scene are not in a position to make such a determination

Buddy Bubs

Why do you want to stay away from insurance companies and from what I'm reading, pay for the repairs yourself? Why not get their insurers to do it.

Also strange that an accident with enough force you destroy another car left you with repairs you feel you can just look after on your own.

First post on forum and something not adding up here.

mykrodot

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122427671#Comment_122427671

surely if it's your first accident then it will more than likely be your first post on the forum, especially if you are new to the country as OP has stated? A lot of people only use Boards when they need help and advice, not as an everyday hobby.

Tell me how

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122427671#Comment_122427671

Is there any place on the internet that people can be taken at face value any more? The OP read exactly like you would expect of someone trying to get some guidance after experiencing something for the first time that was probably a bit troubling.

And it is possible for one car to be bare touched and the other destroyed if Car A was travelling at speed and barely glanced off the side or wing of Car B before crashing and being written off.

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122430442#Comment_122430442

100%, got rear ended once and my car was fine, not even a scratch, his car needed the complete front end replaced. Could easily happen.

Deub

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122430481#Comment_122430481

Did you have the car checked by a professional?

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122477545#Comment_122477545

Yes, I thought it was damaged more than it was but all that had happened was my exhaust had loosened and was retightened. They done a check on the car, there wasn't even a scuff mark but his front bumper was destroyed. I was aware of getting it checked after a similar thing happened my father. An even lighter bump and he thought there was nothing wrong but they had actually bent the chassis when he checked it over properly later.

DesperateDan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122427653#Comment_122427653

Does your insurer not contact their insurer to initiate the claim? Like if someone rear-ends me why should I have to go chasing their insurer when both drivers are handsomely paying these companies

DellyBelly

Also if you have any injuries there would be no harm in contacting a solicitor especially when you are not at fault…

Eggs For Dinner

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122477687#Comment_122477687

Your insurer has no authority to instigate a claim on your behalf against another party unless they are compensating you for your loss as an own damage claim. Obviously, they will defend your position should the 3rd Party counter claim against you

Henry Ford III

Gardai don't tend to get involved nor give opinions on liability in civil cases.

Strange that they did.