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I had a car accident one week ago- I've crashed the fence. No other cars were involved, and there was no other people, no witnesses. I didn't call the police and came back home. When I checked my car I noticed quite bad damage to it. I have comprehensive insurance. Can I apply for compensation if I didnt call the police and have no other evidence just damage to my car?
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You can get the car repaired by the insurance company as you have comprehensive insurance (minus any excess) or if they write it off they will give you what they think the value of the car is. you need to tell them and fill out an accident form.
Is that what you mean by compensation?
NOw about the fence..............who's fence is it? If its not yours who is going to pay for the damage to the fence? You need to inform your insurance company because if the fence owner tracks you down he will be after your butt!
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Was it your fence? If not your are legally obliged to inform the owner (or the police within 24 hrs who will locate the owner for you)- bad damage to your car suggests damage to the fence.
You can claim on your comprehensive insurance to fix your car - however they will probably be legally obliged to local the owner of the fence so s/he can claim for the damage repairs.
Will counts as a claim on your insurance - lose no claims, pay excess, but then thats what it there for.
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'Compensation' - Something, such as money, given or received as payment or reparation, as for a service or loss.
Firstly it is an offence to fail to report an accident as soon as practicable and in any case within 24 hours, which involves damage to property (the fence) when you have been unable to furnish your details at the time to the owner of the fence or anyone else having reasonable grounds to require those details. This is a 'recordable offence' which can result in your fingerprints, photograph and DNA been taken.
If you have Comprehensive cover you should be able to contact your insurance company who will want to know the details of the incident and should arrange for the repairs to your vehicle. They may not question the fact that you have not 'Reported' the incident as they will get their pound of flesh when it comes to you paying your excess, increasing you premium and reducing any NCB you may have.
You will not receive any compensation just put back in material position you were before your accident.
Edited by Fullchat on 08/01/2009 at 14:44
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You will not receive any compensation just put back in material position you were before your accident.
Minus any insurance excess, as said above.
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Thank you all for your answers. To make it more clear- the fence belongs to the local park, and yes there is a damage to it. In this case should I contact the police? Will I get any trouble for not reporting it straight away?
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>>Will I get any trouble for not reporting it straight away?
Probably not. Or just write to the local council parks department.
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If you contact the local parks dept. you should be OK but keep the copy of your correspondence. By the letter of the law you still have committed the offence but if you do contact them then under the circumstances you would be very very unlucky to receive any comeback. They would be so grateful that you had done the right thing (well almost).
Personally I would get the damage on your car assessed and costed before you make any claims and then weigh up the options and future costs of making a claim on your insurance.
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Send your letter to the council by recorded delivery. It's amazing how much gets lost by 'officialdom'
Ted
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