I had a car accident last week - I went into another car at about 2 miles per hour, there didnt look like there was any damage on his car and there was none on mine, we took each others details and he said he would ring me the next day, a week later he rang me and said there was a scratch and a dent and that he was getting it assessed on monday and would ring me back, still havent heard from him, what shall I do? I didnt ring my insurnace company because I thought there was no damage. If I ring my insurance company and he doesn't claim will it go as a claim on my insurance? and if he does ring back when will it be too late to ring my insurance company?

Thankyou!! from Clare

Hi Clare --- I personally would contact him asking if there is any damage and how much he has been quoted to rectify it first.

He might even have no intention of claiming at all, but if he has, and will let you know how much it will cost to put right, you may want to let him give you the opportunity to pay for it personally without any companies being involved at all, that is assuming you can afford it and it works out cheaper than affecting your no claims bonus.

Thankyou for your advice!!! do you think if it turns out to be too much money that it would then be too late to claim on the insurance? Thankyou again!

Well if you get in touch straight away you will not lose much time anyway, so phone him now at least you will know how much it will cost roughly, he may settle for a fixed mutual sum and take a gamble if he's not sure.

If it's far too much then make a claim in the normal way.

Thankyou again one last question: tried ringing him before no answer or response if I hear nothing from him do I just wait and see? if he then rings me a month later can I still claim? two months later? three?

Hi Clare --- Personally if I did not get a reply on the phone I would write to him or pay a visit, I would not give it much longer than the end of this week, before reporting it to the insurance company if you can't reach a mutual settlement before then.

Thankyou!!! fingers crossed!!!