GR86 Hit and Run

ninjin said:
In regards to insurance, you are not at fault..... only if your insurance company can get reimbursed from the other insurance/driver.

I learnt this the hard way when my Cupra Born was taken out at a T junction by a speeding, high as a kite, uninsured driver. The driver ended up driving off and hitting 2 more cars, ending up in a front garden and trying to run on foot. Luckily, a couple of pedestrians saw it and held him until police came.

£7k damage, self claim although LV said covered for uninsured drivers... Yeah right, only if they can get the uninsured driver to pay out.

So bottom line, pay £150 for 4 wheel alignment to check the damage. If all ok, pay £100 to have the wheel refurbed and call it a day for a £250 outlay.

If the alignment comes back with chassis damage, then claim through insurance but don't expect it to be not at fault.
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Thanks for sharing. In hindsight should have not reported to insurance but in the heat of it all happening and misunderstanding what was meant by the guy at LV saying that I could 'withdraw my claim anytime' (I thought that meant the record would be wiped, but from what's been explained here and on google, not the case once it's been reported!!), I thought there was no harm in reporting it within the 24 hours to get myself protected. Anyway lesson learnt as I've never had to make a claim in 30 years of driving!

I have checked online and the vehicle does seem to be insured and I think that's what LV told me on the phone when I reported the registration, he immediately said they know the insurance company for that vehcle now. The remaining risk is whether the insurance on the other side dispute the claim although I've sent the dashcam footage to LV for them to review.

I suppose my renewal premium is going to go up next year (and that's going to be on both my cars!) irrespective of whether I go ahead with the claim or not now? The remaining thing to ascertain is whether I have any risk of not being a successful 'no fault claim' which would backfire on me having then to pay the significant excess on my own policy which would have more than paid for the alignment and repair.

I think I'll give them a call tomorrow just to make sure everything is ok with the claim, the repair company hasn't given me details of the repair shcedule anyway. I'm hoping I can get a new wheel rather than a repair which at least would make the whole process worth it (as well as the wheel alignment and overall check on the vehicle of course). Wonder how long it would then take to get a new wheel!?

If things are not working out then I'll just withdraw the claim and get it sorted myself and just have to bite the bullet my premium is going to have to go up as well!

In terms of wheel alignment, never had this done before and therefore not aware of any reputable places in South Manchester, but quickly searching online - the likes of Halfords and ATS etc do this with branches conveniently close to me. Is it ok just to get it done at these places? I mean it's a computer readout against manufacturer specs and adjusting accordingly? Can't be that difficult?
 
MatC said:
In terms of wheel alignment, never had this done before and therefore not aware of any reputable places in South Manchester, but quickly searching online - the likes of Halfords and ATS etc do this with branches conveniently close to me. Is it ok just to get it done at these places? I mean it's a computer readout against manufacturer specs and adjusting accordingly? Can't be that difficult?
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If you can find a dedicated wheel alignment centre that does '4 wheel alignment and/or geometry' then I'd make a booking with them, rather than go to the likes of Halfrauds.
 
MatC said:
Thanks for sharing. In hindsight should have not reported to insurance but in the heat of it all happening and misunderstanding what was meant by the guy at LV saying that I could 'withdraw my claim anytime' (I thought that meant the record would be wiped, but from what's been explained here and on google, not the case once it's been reported!!), I thought there was no harm in reporting it within the 24 hours to get myself protected. Anyway lesson learnt as I've never had to make a claim in 30 years of driving!

I have checked online and the vehicle does seem to be insured and I think that's what LV told me on the phone when I reported the registration, he immediately said they know the insurance company for that vehcle now. The remaining risk is whether the insurance on the other side dispute the claim although I've sent the dashcam footage to LV for them to review.

I suppose my renewal premium is going to go up next year (and that's going to be on both my cars!) irrespective of whether I go ahead with the claim or not now? The remaining thing to ascertain is whether I have any risk of not being a successful 'no fault claim' which would backfire on me having then to pay the significant excess on my own policy which would have more than paid for the alignment and repair.

I think I'll give them a call tomorrow just to make sure everything is ok with the claim, the repair company hasn't given me details of the repair shcedule anyway. I'm hoping I can get a new wheel rather than a repair which at least would make the whole process worth it (as well as the wheel alignment and overall check on the vehicle of course). Wonder how long it would then take to get a new wheel!?

If things are not working out then I'll just withdraw the claim and get it sorted myself and just have to bite the bullet my premium is going to have to go up as well!

In terms of wheel alignment, never had this done before and therefore not aware of any reputable places in South Manchester, but quickly searching online - the likes of Halfords and ATS etc do this with branches conveniently close to me. Is it ok just to get it done at these places? I mean it's a computer readout against manufacturer specs and adjusting accordingly? Can't be that difficult?
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Google Hunter 4 Wheel alignment and see what comes up in your area. Stay away from the chains (Halfrauds, Kwik Shit, ATS etc etc). Once you have some garages, see what the reviews are like.
 
Just make sure the suspension is ok and the differential hasn't had a whack from the driveshaft. I have seen a locally made Falcon after a relatively small knock into a curb have a cracked differential housing.
 
chopper602 said:
I suppose the Police were completely dis-interested in the other person leaving the scene?
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I filed a case online with all the details - but reading the small print after submitting, they said I won't hear back from them to update the case unless I need to submit more evidence, give statement or appear in court etc. So there's no knowing whether they would do anything but can only hope with the details I provided they can simply send a letter informing them that they failed to stop after an accident, advise who the driver was and will have x penalty points taken off etc.

I'm not sure if it would have been any different if I went to a police station but with everything happening and it not being a serious accident (and the fact I had daschcam footage), I didn't feel the need to call police to the scene which would have been an unnecesary waste of resources.
 
Humptydumptyhadabigone said:
Just make sure the suspension is ok and the differential hasn't had a whack from the driveshaft. I have seen a locally made Falcon after a relatively small knock into a curb have a cracked differential housing.
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Another good point and proves how this forum is a a great source of help and useful information. It's no everyday we have an accident (first time in 30 years since I claimed and hope we all never need to), but being able to leverage on everyone's experience is a real help. I only wished I asked here before reporting to the insurer.

The positive news to come out of all this despite facing increased premiums next year is that the repairer has confirmed that it will be a new wheel given the car is so new, will check the alignment and inspect driveshafts and differential casing etc. They'll also put on a new tyre if necessary (but to be honest with only 700 miles on the car, I'm not bothered). They'll even come to collect it and put it on a trailer as I told them I didn't want anyone driving it! He was probably thinking how fussy I was over a 30k car!

Did also give a call to my insurer again to confirm again since they've waived my excess etc. they're not going to come back in 12 months time and ask me to pay up. Although I can only take their word for it, they've already started engaging wih the other sides insurer to get them to pay up and therefore seems like a straighforward case and can't see any reason it's backfire.....
 
I think that you've made the right choice. If you had just left it and got the wheel refurbished yourself, then ended up having mechanical issues due to the accident further down the line, you'd be kicking yourself. Best to go through insurance and get it all sorted properly. From past experience, a no fault claim increases your insurance by a very small amount, so you shouldn't have to worry too much there. 🤞
 
You don't have to use your own insurer if you have proof they are at fault, although it's a bit late now.

The fact that they drove off would have me screwing them for everything I can. They clearly tried to have you over, regardless of what they might say. If they claim they didn't know they hit you they either:

A) are unfit to drive on public roads

B) deliberately hit and run and should be punished as such.

Edit: a new wheel from Toyota is over 500 quid by the way.
 
GRistopher said:
You don't have to use your own insurer if you have proof they are at fault, although it's a bit late now.

The fact that they drove off would have me screwing them for everything I can. They clearly tried to have you over, regardless of what they might say. If they claim they didn't know they hit you they either:

A) are unfit to drive on public roads

B) deliberately hit and run and should be punished as such.

Edit: a new wheel from Toyota is over 500 quid by the way.
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Could you explain what you mean as not having to use my own insurer? In the process of googling after the incident, I did come across a few links that claimed they could process a claim for you as long as you hadn't contacted your own insurer. Are you referring to these and are they reliable/legit? I know they have to make money from the process at the end of the day...

And I suppose come renewal time, I would still have to declare that I had a claim as it's 'in the system' somewhere and it's not going to prevent my premium going up.

Anyway I did what I could - reported online to the police and as chopper602 said, not expecting they will have done anything and having gone through insurance and assuming no issues, they're going to get a shock on their premium next year compared to if they had stopped and agreed to pay 100 for wheel refurbishment. The new wheel is 580 quid and it's giving me peace of mind to have ensured it's all checked out properly....
 
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chopper602 said:
The Police won't do anything, they'll just refer you to your insurer
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I suppose that's why there's so many hit and run cases in the UK as they can take a gamble and see if they get away with it if there's no witness or their reg wasn't taken. Worst case it's impacting their renewal which would have been the case even if they stopped and exchanged details, unless it was minor damage that would have been settled privately. It's not as if the they're going to be prosecuted or get points taken off even though it could happen 'in theory'.

I used to work overseas and in cases like this, the police would contact the other party very quickly if you had sufficient evidence and tell them they have the option of owning up and settling either privately/through insurance, or else face prosection for hit and run and then it would be settled through insurance anyway. It's an incentive for the police to encourage you to settle it privately cos it reduces admin work for them and they can just close the case.
 
MatC said:
Could you explain what you mean as not having to use my own insurer? In the process of googling after the incident, I did come across a few links that claimed they could process a claim for you as long as you hadn't contacted your own insurer. Are you referring to these and are they reliable/legit? I know they have to make money from the process at the end of the day...

And I suppose come renewal time, I would still have to declare that I had a claim as it's 'in the system' somewhere and it's not going to prevent my premium going up.

Anyway I did what I could - reported online to the police and as chopper602 said, not expecting they will have done anything and having gone through insurance and assuming no issues, they're going to get a shock on their premium next year compared to if they had stopped and agreed to pay 100 for wheel refurbishment. The new wheel is 580 quid and it's giving me peace of mind to have ensured it's all checked out properly....
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Yeah the wheels are pricey. I enquired with Toyota after one of my rims got dinged on a pothole.

Technically, you don't have to involve your insurer at all if you are not at fault. Some insurers (probably most now) will try to insist on dealing with the opposing insurance company but that's just for their own ease of processing, They can't refuse to deal with you if you handle everything correctly. They have a legal obligation to pay out if their customer is deemed to be at fault.

For clarification, I think you've handled it the right way.

Some things to bear in mind:
-If you involve your own insurer, the process will be much smoother. They don't want to pay out so will fight your case. It sounds like an open-shut case with your dash cam footage.
-Your insurance WILL go up anyway if you are completely truthful. Every insurer asks if you have been involved in an incident in the recent past. if you reply "no" to this, but they discover that you were - even if you weren't at fault and didn't contact your own insurance about it, it may be grounds for them to refuse paying out in the future. I had someone pull out on me in a work vehicle (on fleet insurance) a long time ago. They were deemed at fault and paid for the repairs on the van. I didn't tell my own insurance about it, but if I had, it would have put me in a higher risk category and probably put my premium up.

Given that you're likely to successfully claim against their insurance, I'd do what others have suggested and get the car looked at - at least get the geometry checked. Now that your insurer is involved, it may be worth speaking to them about this first as they can probably recover the cost of the inspection. You don't want to be footing the bill for the opposing driver's mistake.

My first post probably sounded a bit ranty but I can't stand incompetent drivers. On a daily basis I have to take avoiding action because people are veering into my lane, drifting into oncoming traffic, pulling out without looking properly, cutting blind corners, chopping off the front of my car when they're turning into T-junctions. It boils my blood. I often wonder what happens when 2 of these people meet - a huge pile up on the M6 most likely.

The fact that the police aren't interested in someone leaving the scene of an accident surprises me. We had a young lad (total knuckle-dragger) at work crash into a parked lorry. He left the scene and the police were all over him for it.

Anyway, I just hope you can get your car as good-as-new without any expense to yourself.
 
Wheel alignment, you want someone with a Hunter Hawkeye machine.

Centre Gravity in Atherstone Coventry are meant to be very good, only down the M6 from you.
 
Hope you get sorted, I think it was the right option go with the insurers fwiw, we had a hit and run before when vehicle was parked and I was not in the vehicle, luckily dashcam caught them, stopping, looking at my car, wiping the dent 😲 getting back in their car and driving off leaving nothing.
Submitted to police online and not heard anything - it was years ago.
Insurance tracked them down, saw the dashcam and got it all sorted repaired and up and running with no drama - no contest as my car was parked and caught a mugshot of the whole thing.
 
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