Why are some people hopeless at driving and try to blam you when they crash into you?

[TI3VOM]

Cheers for all the info and replies guys and girls I went into GIO today to get info about making a claim the lady there couldent help me as she does not do claims and was just leaving but she put me straight through to the claims department.

I had a nice little chat with the girl on the phone she was very helpful I ended up lodging a not at fault claim so I do not have to pay excess only way I will have to pay is if someone claims to have seen the acco and says different to what really happend wich nobody did so I am getting it fixed for free.

The girl did say that there is a possibility that someone can be at fault if they are in front but rarely I dident get details as I was short on time but it is possible and that you do not have to go to the police for an accident that does not involve an injury or is not serious.

Cheers for all your help.

[the_trademarc]

If the lights are smashed in the accident, or may have been affected whos the say they weren't working? Its your word vs theirs and because you hit them in the arse you're gonna cop it.

Yeah, but the point I originally made, was if the damage wasn't significant, and the repairer deems the brake lights to not work, they have an obligation to let the party know the vehicle is unroadworthy.
We had a case where a vehicle was rear ended lightly, and only the rear bumper and beaver bar were damaged. The crash repairer found that the rear bulbs were fused and not working, and the wiring was not damaged through the accident.
They reported it to the Insurance Company, who then straight away withdrew their claim (I believe) because the vehicle is then deemed unroadworthy.

[STEALTHY™]

Its not compulsory if theres no injuries, but its usually in your favour if your the 'first' person to report it, and give your story.

[TI3VOM]

Nah I know it would look like I am very serious and not mucking around
This is not the first time this has happend to this lady so that should help me a little.
That would also give her a neglidgeble driving charge it's tempting.

[Ado]

I'd also make a report to the police (within 24 hours) as extra help when dealing with her.

Its always a huge pain when dealing with another persons insurance company, moreso if you don't have Full comp so your company can hassle them.

Thats right,being the third party with their insurance company is a pain.Im pretty sure they wont do anything to your car until she payes her excess.

[STEALTHY™]

Thats right,being the third party with their insurance company is a pain.Im pretty sure they wont do anything to your car until she payes her excess.

Its exactly like that. My VL was rear ended and their excess wasn't paid until 2 months after the crash happened, so i drove around with a smashed car, for that long.

[TI3VOM]

Its exactly like that. My VL was rear ended and their excess wasn't paid until 2 months after the crash happened, so i drove around with a smashed car, for that long.

Was that with full comp or doesent it matter.

[STEALTHY™]

Was that with full comp or doesent it matter.

They had full comp, i only had 3rd party (wasn't worth paying $2500 a year on a $3000 VL). The benifit of most full comp policies is, they will repair your car straight away, and chase the other at fault person for the money later.

[TI3VOM]

Thank god i have full comp then.
Cheers mate.

[STEALTHY™]

Thank god i have full comp then.
Cheers mate.

Keep in mind not every company does it that way. Although from what you said about the convo with the girl from your company, they are one that does do things that way.

[Jesterarts]

If you are reversing out of a car park and straight into an oncoming car you are at fault not the person that gets fit from infront. This has happened to myself and they had to pay up.
I think that is 2 reasons now yeah. I am sure there are others too.

That's not a good example since in this case the other car didn't hit you, you hit it... since you reversed into it.

If on the other hand, you reversed out of a spot and the other car doesn't stop in time and hits into your car... they are at fault.

Basic rule of thumb... the car doing the 'hitting into' is at fault and the car 'being hit into' is not.

Also, NEVER, EVER, EVER admit the accident is your fault.

Swap details, give the insurance companies the details of the accident and let them work it out themselves. Because if you admit the accident was your fault and your insurance company decides it wasn't. You will be paying for the repairs out of your own pocket!

I've heard a few stories where it was a bit of a grey area who what at fault, one party admit to it being their fault and because of that they got screwed over by the insurance companies.

[TI3VOM]

yeah she practically said take it to this registered repairer get a quote they will send the qoute to us (GIO) then we will get in contact with them and say go ahead just make sure you give the lady the claim number and if she wants to say otherwise she can contact us and we will deal with it.

[INNAWE]

If one car is reversing, how are both the cars travelling in the same direction? Or were they both reversing..........

Was clearly said, driving down the road, the person behind is at fault, no ifs or buts. I personally only travel forwards on roads, not sure about the rest of you.

If I had of read the post a bit better I probably would have given a different answer lol. Sorry about that one.

[VicCop]

I'd also make a report to the police (within 24 hours) as extra help when dealing with her.

No!!! The only thing that will do is increase the workload (unnessesarily) of the poor copper at the counter. Just leave it to the insurance companies.

The only time it needs to be 'reported' as such, is when it's just happened and 000 is called where there's a traffic hazard and/or injuries. If it's just a little bump and everyone is off the road, sort it out yourselves.

And for goodness sake, when are people going to do what they're meant to do a these things? Which is stop, exchange names, addresses and any other information and head on their way rather than wanting to box on about it. This really jacks me up because drivers end up wanting to smack the crap out of each other, so I get called and end up inheriting a collision to investigate simply because two people can't be mature enough to fulfil one simple legal requirement.

[ClairBear]

No!!! The only thing that will do is increase the workload (unnessesarily) of the poor copper at the counter. Just leave it to the insurance companies.

First of all I have been asked each time I made an accident claim for the Police Report number, this is with various companies over the years.

Second of all I don't feel sorry for any cop having to do a report at the counter. This is part of their job and if they feel over worked then they can change jobs.

[VicCop]

First of all I have been asked each time I made an accident claim for the Police Report number, this is with various companies over the years.

I had an insurance company ring me up one day saying, "Our client didn't get a 'report number' off you at the scene". I'm like, "Well d*ckhead, how am I supposed to give them your oh so important 'report number' before I've even been back to the station to submit reports into the system which generates the numbers?".

They have no idea how it works sometimes. The larger insurance companies know exactly what they're doing. Other however try to cut corners. The collision doesn't NEED to be on our system for them to do something about it. If it's something we've attended, then it'll be there for them to access using their time, resources and money. If you're in a position where they're asking you to obtain information, tell them to get stuffed because it's what you pay your premiums for.

Second of all I don't feel sorry for any cop having to do a report at the counter. This is part of their job and if they feel over worked then they can change jobs.

Ah, you still have that utter contempt for police dodging work

Here's a reason why it's not a good idea to report a smash over the counter just because you think it'll help you or because your two bit insurance company wanted you to do it:

Car vs. motorcycle. Car goes from being parked on the side of a road to pulling out to drive off. Driver fails to notice the bike approaching from behind so pulls out in front causing the bike rider to take evasive action, fall over and slide along the pavement. The rider sustains injuries. Both parties exchange details. There's a minor dispute over fault (as there always is *rolls eyes*). Supposedly the bike rider said, "It's ok, it's my fault".

The driver of the car then thinks, "If I get up to the police station and report it first, I'll get out of being at fault". They came to the station wanting to report it thinking it would be a five second job of telling me it all and they'd be out the door. Not likely. Once they walked in that door and wanted my service, they're at that moment on my time and my terms.

They ended up being there for an hour or so while I obtained a written statement from them as to what happened. They then signed that statement which then became evidence. I contacted the bike rider and had him attend the station the next day. He also provided me with a written statement as to what happened.

Both statements added up and corroborated each other. The car driver had clearly failed to give way when pulling out onto the road from the left causing the rider to have to take evasive action. So pretty much, this driver had hung themselves. They received a ticket in the mail.

So you can see, that reporting it over the counter just because you thought it would help your case or because you though the insurance company needed it (they never do, they're full of it if they say they do) does absolutely nothing for you and can in some cases backfire. It's not surprising how many people turn around and walk out deciding to not want to report an accident after being told that they might be prosecuted as a result of them openly admitting to being in a smash that they caused by committing a traffic offence.

You can also see that this obsession people have with "admitting fault" means bugger all. It's what actually happens matters. I can go out right now and have someone run a red light and hit me. Doesn't mean it's my fault if I say it is.

[ClairBear]

If you're in a position where they're asking you to obtain information, tell them to get stuffed because it's what you pay your premiums for.

One thing that rattles me is people telling me how to do my job. I am not in the Insurance industry, I am client, therefore I am not about to start telling them what I will and will not do to get my claim processed.

Ah, you still have that utter contempt for police dodging work

This applies to anyone that bitches and moans that they don't like certain aspects of their job.

Here's a reason why it's not a good idea to report a smash over the counter just because you think it'll help you or because your two bit insurance company wanted you to do it:

Shannons is hardly a two bit insurance company. I don't report accidents to help my claim, but because again as experience has shown, I need a police report number. May I also point out this goes also for household insurance claims.

They came to the station wanting to report it thinking it would be a five second job of telling me it all and they'd be out the door.

Far from it. I have had to give enough statements and reports to cops who bash away with one finger typing, looking up every few minutes and having to backspace to correct errors. Or the time a cop who looked so young I seriously doubt he even had pubes, put the carbon paper into his report book the wrong way. I tried to tell him, I got an arrogant look, followed by a beautiful red face after he had listed about 40 stolen items after my house was burgled and he realised I was right.

You can also see that this obsession people have with "admitting fault" means bugger all.

My understanding is your insurance company will tell you not to admit nor discuss blame at the scene of an accident, but merely to exchange details and then *love this bit* report it within 24 hours to the Police.

[danja]

This applies to anyone that bitches and moans that they don't like certain aspects of their job.

I'm sure the police do actually have genuinely more important things (for them and for us, the community) to do than file statements regarding fender benders. Sure we could pay more taxes to hire desk jockeys just to do that, but I'd rather keep that money in my pocket, and try not to waste police time.

Perhaps a statutory declaration would do just as good a job?

[INNAWE]

I thought you were only required to get a police report if someone were injured.
This info is very handy to know. Good debate guys lol.
I have had to claim before but only because my wife wax 25 weeks pregnant and the cops were 2 cars behind the guy that decided to re-modle our car.