Correct protocol fo...
 

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Correct protocol for a motoring "bump"

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Mrs BearGrease has just returned home after having a minor collision/bump in the car. She has swapped telephone numbers with the other driver. She called the police and was told to report via email. They then both drove off.

What else do we/she need to do? Call the insurance company? Who else?

The car has scrapes on the bumper which i dislodged and the FR indicator is no longer working....


 
Posted : 04/04/2023 7:18 pm
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Get at least two quotes for the repair work.

She doesn't need to call the police unless there's an injury or hit & run (or a few other things). They aren't going to give a toss about her indicator.

She does need to call her insurance (unless you're going to settle personally, and even then you're still supposed to notify them). She needs the name of the other driver and the licence plate of the vehicle, the insurer will take care of everything else.

STW answer: she probably shouldn't be driving if she doesn't know the basics of what to do in the event of an accident. This stuff is all over the AA/RAC websites, her insurance policy and the rest of the Internet.


 
Posted : 04/04/2023 7:39 pm
 Drac
Posts: 50352
 

Contact her insurance let them do what you pay them to do.


 
Posted : 04/04/2023 7:40 pm
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Call the insurance company.

The police won't be interested in a fender bender unless one party refused to exchange details.


 
Posted : 04/04/2023 7:46 pm
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The police won’t be interested in a fender bender unless one party refused to exchange details

Technically, a phone number alone isn't exchanging details https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-insurance/if-youre-in-an-accident

To practicalities:
Regardless of repair intentions, tell your insurance company
Get back to the scene, photos/video in the same light/weather if poss and separately in good light if necessary. Get photos/video of the damage to both vehicles, if poss, to preserve the evidence; all sorts gets invented later
Any witnesses/CCTV/Ring doorbells? Grab them too


 
Posted : 04/04/2023 9:00 pm
 Drac
Posts: 50352
 

It was a minor bump not a bank heist.


 
Posted : 04/04/2023 9:52 pm
thenorthwind reacted
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It's a minor bump until the other person decides it isn't. That's why you get photos and witnesses.


 
Posted : 04/04/2023 10:19 pm
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It was a minor bump not a bank heist

🙂 🙂
IME insurers won't investigate they'll just divvy up over the phone
A couple of hours today will potentially save a world of pain and expense tomorrow

It’s a minor bump until the other person decides it isn’t. That’s why you get photos and witnesses

Exactly this


 
Posted : 05/04/2023 7:54 am
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It’s a minor bump if both parties tell the truth.
If the other party decides to lie, your wife may have to prove what happened.
Not all people can be trusted.


 
Posted : 05/04/2023 8:04 am

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