To claim through insurance or not?

[Karlb1]

Just had a crash in my MR2.
As far as i can see i need a new front bumper, slam panel and the wing has been pushed down at the front, not sure if it needs replacing or a panel beater to see it.

I had right of way at a roundabout and the guy pulled out infront of me.

All the damage on his car was the rear bumper had come out of place on the rear corner.

Question is, is there any point in going through insurance?
Im fully comp but have a voluntary excess of £500
The car has had a lot of money spent on it since i bought it but i have no idea how much it would be worth with the damage, as i was thinking of selling up and getting back into a saxo
Bit of a piss take that i had literally JUST left the MOT station 10 minutes before hand with a fresh MOT with no advisories..

I know people hate people that talk about whiplash claims with this sort of thing, but i really do have severe neck pains, headache, slight tingling down the side of my neck/shoulder
I do have a history of neck pain/restricted movement so i don't know if this would go with me or against me if i did try to make a claim, and also, what is involved in making the claim? what sort of costs am i looking at?

EDIT:I also don't really want to claim through insurance if i can help it because i'm going to assume it will cripple me financially in the future if i make a claim.

[Cam]

Pics of car?

[Prickle]

pics..?

[Karlb1]

I'll upload some in a minute. pictures dont make it look too bad tbh, it's just the work that would be involved that is making me cringe slightly. I was thinking of selling up recently anyways before i pour even more money into it.

[Karlb1]

http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n522/Karlb1/20121027_002.jpg
http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n522/Karlb1/20121027_008.jpghttp://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n522/Karlb1/20121027_006.jpg

This is all the damage on the other guys car
http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n522/Karlb1/20121027_004.jpg

Like i said, it doesnt look too bad in pictures, but behind my bumper is completely crippled and the wing has been pressed down quite far.
Fog light is fucked too but that's minor.

[mlawlan69]

has he admitted it was his fault?

if so just Bill him for a new bumper and get the slam panel changed?

[Cam]

Easy repair on both cars...
No point claiming whiplash for that...

[Karlb1]

He wouldn't say anything, only the essential 'name' 'number' 'insured?'

He seemed very reluctant to give me any details though, seemed very shady and the car wasnt exactly ehat i'd call 'road safe/legal' so i'm questioning whether he's insured..

[Prickle]

Id say to him "think yourself lucky.. you broke a clip on your bumper"... *pause

change the bumper and get shot.

[Cam]

Do a insurance check online then

[Karlb1]

change the bumper and get shot.

I would if i could fine one in the right colour..there's one on ebay but it's cracked too.

Probably pay a fair bit to get one sprayed?

[Bedford126]

Fuck off you got whiplash from that. I've had bigger crashes than that on my push bike.

man up and get it fixed. If it was his fault an he admits it you wont pay a penny.

[Jay_]

Fuck off you got whiplash from that. I've had bigger crashes than that on my push bike.

man up and get it fixed. If it was his fault an he admits it you wont pay a penny.

This. Entirely.

[blackie_2k5]

If he doesn't admit it it'll go 50/50

Can't imagine he'll take blame tbh

[Beaniemoo]

Oh shit mate! I really feel for you!

[griff_106]

By law you will have to inform the insurers that an accident has occurred. As others have stated, if you get a formal admission of liability (e.g the third party admits liability to their insurance - not just the TP apologising by the side of the road) the insurance can look to waive the excess on your policy so you won't have to pay anything. Unfortunately I can almost guarantee that'll be a write off, and potentially a Cat C at that :n:

With regards to how much your premiums will go up - how long's a piece of string? That's something you'll need to discuss with your insurers buddy, and as premiums fluctuate throughout the year, they won't be able to give you an accurate figure for next year at the present time.

[Rogue_Shadow]

He was in the wrong?
Please tell me you got a witness.
Go through your insurance to rape his premium, his fault, his liability!

[johnr32]

Sorry to hear about the accident, at least it doesnt look too bad and now you have a very good reason to get a toms kit fitted! are you on imoc by any chance?

[blackie_2k5]

Not worth claiming IMO

Both cars will get written off and youl have fro fork out an excess

Both if you will settle with your insurance raised

If I were you I'd ask him if he wants to deal with it outside of insurance and five you a fe hundred to cover the cost of repairs

[ady_saxo]

You can probs pick up parts for both cars from the local scrapyard or breakers for not that much.

[Dom]

Oh shit mate! I really feel for you!

Feel what for him? Slightly homo..

[Chris_]

Hide in a corner and cry?

or try get some money off the other driver ;)

[Karlb1]

Okay so i sourced a bumper etc today and whilst at work i got a call.

Basically the other guy has admited liability for the accident and his insurance company are saying they will cover all repair costs and supply me with a hire car.

Now, I've not accepted yet, i asked some questions and requested them in writing and via email.
I know insurance companies save money if i use their repair garage, but i'd much rather get Toyota or another local garage to do it so it's an independent party (not involved with any of the companies, they'd just get the fees paid so they're happy)

Anybody had experience like this before? I've been told my insurance company may not even need to know my car's been in an accident.