Someone Hit My Car from behind, What to Do Next?

Febdragon on 28/01/2016 - 12:05

Looking for helpful input from experienced and intelligent fellow Ozbargainers. Here is what happened:

Last night around 8pm, I was on my way home from work, I came to a stop at an intersection as I saw the traffic light from the right was green and car were moving towards this way. (It is one of those left turns without traffic lights, but proceed when safe to do so.)
It was a gradual stop. But as soon as my car stopped, i felt a bump, the car behind hit mine. This shirtless young guy probably thought I would rush out of the road and get in front of the coming traffic.

Anyway, there is no injury, and the damage is not severe but the car still needs to be checked by mechanics.

Spoke with our insurance company this morning, I either deal with guy directly or they can act on my behalf, but premium may go up from now on.

Any thoughts? What is your suggestion?

Cheers.

Automotive

Comments

  • Findo on 28/01/2016 - 12:09
    +2

    Did you get the details of the guy that hit you? If you have something that can identify the at fault driver you should be covered if you have comprehensive car insurance.

    • spackbace on 28/01/2016 - 12:14

      ^This

    • Febdragon on 28/01/2016 - 12:16

      I did get his detail, and photos to prove. But according to my insurance company, even if it's his fault, I may still need to pay higher premium due to the accident history? True?

  • singlemalt72 on 28/01/2016 - 12:17
    +11

    If you are not at fault then it should not affect your insurance premium - if it does, then jump ship and find someone else to do a better deal - I get quotes every year and throw them back at my insurer (always raising premiums) and they always price beat.

    But it's a pain in the arse to have to go through it.

    • airzone on 28/01/2016 - 12:34
      +2

      lol! never, ever just accept a policy renewal without researching.

  • [Deactivated] on 28/01/2016 - 12:24

    can i ask who you are with? (insurance)

    • Febdragon on 28/01/2016 - 12:41
      +1

      Budget Direct

      • Davo1111 on 28/01/2016 - 13:19
        +8

        they have budget in the name, you know they're going to penny pinch everything

      • tomclancy on 28/01/2016 - 15:20
        +1

        I remember reading last year two OzBargainers insured with Budget Direct were made to pay the excess on not-at-fault claims. Budget Direct refused to give them back their cars (after repairs) until they paid the excess.

        Shonky operation, avoid.

        • exulted on 29/01/2016 - 08:07

          This is where ozbargain does not work well, taking the cheapest option that is also the crappiest

      • orbitalpaul on 29/01/2016 - 09:10
        +1

        I got a quote from Budget Direct when they first came onto the scene years ago. Reading between the lines of the quote conversation it appeared to me that their philosophy was to filter out anybody who had been involved in an accident regardless of fault or is seen to be a risk in any way, shape or form - the obvious end result is to maximise their profits and minimise pay outs. This was the wrong philosophy for me so I went to a competitor (Shannons at the time, from memory) as they gave me a much better feel that they were customer focused. Totally off topic, I know, but hopefully useful for somebody :)

      • Banana on 30/01/2016 - 22:39

        i recently had a not at fault claim with budget direct as well and they told me my premium will go up :(

  • oscargamer on 28/01/2016 - 12:45
    +3

    They are lying. If you are involved in a crash that is not your fault, they cannot up your premium.
    Ask them to state this in an email or letter and see how they respond.

    • Xenocaust on 28/01/2016 - 14:59
      +1

      What prevents them doing so at renewal?

      I had maxed no claims discount with SGIO and after a no fault accident (I was rear ended while stationary) they increased the base premium by $400 and then applied the discount.

      I moved to another insurer.

      • oscargamer on 29/01/2016 - 09:01
        +1

        nothing prevents them from upping the premium for any reason they can think of

        but if they up it because of a no-fault claim, and they tell you that's why they have done it, then that is illegal

        • tomclancy on 29/01/2016 - 09:52

          then that is illegal

          Interesting, can you please provide a link to the law they are breaking?

        • WT on 29/01/2016 - 11:24

          @PBG:

          At the lest you can switch when its time to renew

  • Ryanek on 28/01/2016 - 13:35
    +1

    This is exactly what you pay your insurance company for. Let them deal with everything.

  • Febdragon on 28/01/2016 - 14:04

    How to prove that it is not my fault even though it is pretty obvious that my car was hit from behind? Are photos of damaged parts sufficient?

    • oscargamer on 28/01/2016 - 14:14
      +2

      you don't have to prove anything

      but be 99.9% happy that being rear-ended is the fault of the person at the rear !

      give them the details and let them sort it out

  • cocomelon on 28/01/2016 - 14:17

    can you tell us who are you with so we can avoid this mob?

  • meku on 28/01/2016 - 15:44

    If you are Not At Fault you are not required to have the car repaired by your own insurance company. There are other companies out there that will repair your car at no cost to you, and you may even get a free hire-car during the repairs.

    • tomclancy on 28/01/2016 - 16:18
      +3

      If you are Not At Fault you are not required to have the car repaired by your own insurance company. There are other companies out there that will repair your car at no cost to you

      Unless you use Budget Direct for your insurer :(

  • [Deactivated] on 28/01/2016 - 15:56
    +1

    I find a towbar very useful in these situations

    • Findo on 29/01/2016 - 03:22

      But can potentially damage your chassis

    • fwdcelica on 29/01/2016 - 10:21

      worked for me.
      got hit from behind last year.
      bent the towbar tongue, no other damage.
      other driver paid for a new towbar.

  • BargainKen on 30/01/2016 - 17:22

    Mine didn't go up and I was In a similar situation. My insurance company even preauthorised the repair before I got the quote as I took the car to an approved repairer. Got a rental car from compass claims similar to mine. Was in the shop about 3 weeks. They did a good job on the car.

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