Just involved in a concertina car crash

[Syndrome]

Minding my own business going home from work. Crawled to a stop then get slammed from behind. Guy in an Audi ran into the back of a Holden in front of him when then pushed the Holden into the back of my car. Damage isn't major but damn nuisance.

So who pays for my car repairs? The Audi driver or the Holden driver?

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

Minding my own business going home from work. Crawled to a stop then get slammed from behind. Guy in an Audi ran into the back of a Holden in front of him when then pushed the Holden into the back of my car. Damage isn't major but damn nuisance.

So who pays for my car repairs? The Audi driver or the Holden driver?

Who cares - exchange details, take photos and make it the insurance companies problem, they'll sort it out.

Unless you're uninsured, then RIP.

[Syndrome]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Who cares - exchange details, take photos and make it the insurance companies problem, they'll sort it out.

Unless you're uninsured, then RIP.

Wrong answer Franco. I expected better from you.

[kevino]

I feel your pain. I have been tail ended twice in the last ten months second time car was written off.
Yes you would have to get and I am sure you did get details of the other two cars regos insurers and drivers licenses. Photos of damage. photos of other two cars. In my case the towie gave out cards for us to fill in and contact insurer.
I also felt bloody angry. And its afffected my driving / I'm expecting the worse at any time. I would say my driving confidence is down.

The last car in the three some who causes the double shunt is at fault. My view.

[arm79]

I think the insurance company, if there is one, covering the Holden will pay for your repairs and they will recover the money from the Audi driver.

Ultimately the Audi driver pays for everything, but the claims from your perspective have to go through the chain of who hit who.

As Franco said. Get details, police report if need be and hand to your insurance company and let them sort it out.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by arm79

I think the insurance company, if there is one, covering the Holden will pay for your repairs and they will recover the money from the Audi driver.

Ultimately the Audi driver pays for everything, but the claims from your perspective have to go through the chain of who hit who.

As Franco said. Get details, police report if need be and hand to your insurance company and let them sort it out.

Yep, this is my understanding as well. You get the details of the car that hit you. Let insurance sort out the rest.

Not sure why Franco's response was dismissed. It's the correct response. You pay thousands in premiums over the years, let them earn some of it.

[hayseed]

Originally Posted by arm79

I think the insurance company, if there is one, covering the Holden will pay for your repairs and they will recover the money from the Audi driver.

Ultimately the Audi driver pays for everything, but the claims from your perspective have to go through the chain of who hit who.

As Franco said. Get details, police report if need be and hand to your insurance company and let them sort it out.

I was involved in a similar type incident 30 odd Yrs ago .& this is how it went Down..

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

Wrong answer Franco. I expected better from you.

Make the bastards work for their money, thats what you pay them for

[Charliewool]

Last car pays

[FroudeyBrand]

Originally Posted by Charliewool

Last car pays

this is my assumption, as a friend of mine had a similar issue he was the last car and sadly cause of the effect he was the last car to hit and his insurance dealt with the claims if i can recall.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Charliewool

Last car pays

Only if the last car was responsible for pushing the car in front into the car in front of them.

Syndrome will know whether he felt 1 bump or 2 etc.

[Syndrome]

Originally Posted by Charliewool

Last car pays

Bugger. 21 year old driving his brother's car. Does not know if he has insurance.

[78xcgxl]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

Bugger. 21 year old driving his brother's car. Does not know if he has insurance.

Doesn't matter if you have your own insurance. Put a claim in, give your insurance the details and they will sort it all out for you.

[arm79]

If you have fully comp insurances it matters absutively **** all whether the other drivers are insured or not. Give your insurance company both their names and your insurance company will repair your car for you, and possibly provide you a rental while its being repaired, at absolutely zero cost to you.

If the other drivers are not insured then your insurance company will sue them in small claims for their costs in repairing your car.

If you dont have full comp insurance and the other does then you can make a claim through the other persons insurance, try either one, and they will repair your car. If its only small you might want to repair it yourself and sue them yourself in small claims.

Or again if you don't have fully comp, speak to Kenyon and Ahmet layers in Melbourne. All they do is motor vehicle property claims and recovery on behalf of an injured party, that being you. I have used them before and they are excellent to deal with.

They are NOT personal injury lawyers but property lawyers specialising in motor vehicle accidents. They represent you as the not at fault party and organise to get your car fixed at no cost in almost all cases.

The primarily work within Victoria but I know they are still able to help in other states too, but not all. And its possible they might point you in the direction of another lawyer who can offer the same in your state.

[T3rminator]

I believe its the car that hits you pays. Then if they want to chase someone else who may have caused them to hit you, that's on them and their insurance company to chase.

The rule is, they should have left enough space between their car and yours to not hit you.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

Bugger. 21 year old driving his brother's car. Does not know if he has insurance.

Hey Syndrome Your concern should only be with the person that hit you.

exchange details like Franco suggested, and pass the details to your insurance company, they will deal with his insurance, problem solved


Chasing the person ultimately responsible is of no benefit.

If the 21 year old hasn't got insurance its his brothers problem but again not your problem.

[Tassie f100]

If it is only minor shouldn’t be any problems.Can be different if you aren’t insured in the case of a write off.Uninsured drivers tend to get bullied into accepting lower payouts if they don’t have an Ins Co fighting for them

[Dr Smith]

The initial cause of the accident is the driver ultimately at fault, but I guess you're asking does your insurer claim against the car that made contact with you and does that insurer claim against the car that hit it etc...

However having been there before, even if your damage is minor just collect all the details from all involved and let your insurance company handle it. You may even have a loan vehicle clause in your policy or in the case of one of our accidents be able to submit the expenses of hiring a replacement van which went on to the driver at fault's insurer...

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Just before we go too far down the rabbit hole of what is legally obligated to be provided after involvement in an accident, the following applies in Victoria (from Vicroads website):

Crash responsibilities
A summary of what you need to do if you are in a crash.

If you are involved in a crash you must:

stop immediately
give help to any injured person
provide your name, address, registration number, and vehicle owner’s name to others involved in the crash, or their representative, and to the police (if they are there)
if anyone is injured and the police are not at the crash, you must report the crash to the nearest open police station
if there is any property damage and the owner (or Police) is not there, you must report the crash to the nearest open police station.

E:NSW is the same (from NSW gov site):

Exchanging details
If you’re involved in a crash you must give the other person or people involved:

your name and address
your vehicle registration number
the name and address of the owner of the vehicle, if you’re not the owner.

[Vesper Martini]

*hit anyone

[burnz]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

Minding my own business going home from work. Crawled to a stop then get slammed from behind. Guy in an Audi ran into the back of a Holden in front of him when then pushed the Holden into the back of my car. Damage isn't major but damn nuisance.

So who pays for my car repairs? The Audi driver or the Holden driver?

your claim is against the Holden driver, he's insurance will claim the Audi driver.

[prktkljokr]

Used to go to these crashes on a daily basis when towing, your claim is with the guy who hit you, whatever happened to him is not your problem, your insurer will still need all details of parties involved though .

You can deal with his insurance or just use yours, it does not matter as its a not at fault claim, your no claim bonuses are not affected.

You are entitled to a hire car while yours is out of action, If your insurer does not offer 1, there are companies that specialise in this all you need is the other insured parties claim number and details, they bill the other insurance company direct, "Right to Drive" is 1 company

[marty351]

If you're only covered by 3rd party, would your insurer handle your claim against the other driver, or are you completely on your own?

[prktkljokr]

Originally Posted by marty351

If you're only covered by 3rd party, would your insurer handle your claim against the other driver, or are you completely on your own?

Some insurance companies will act on your behalf if you are a not at fault and 3rd party insured with them, they just claim all cost's from the other insured person.

But sometimes its in your best interest to claim against the other insurance company to get a fair settlement in the event of a write off, you don't have to accept the offer that's on the table if you cant replace what you have for the amount offered.

if the other person is not insured and you only have 3rd party, you are on your own .

[ozpacman]

About a fortnight ago I was sitting behind a couple of vehicles at a red traffic light in Cairns and got rear-ended by a woman in a Land Cruiser. The poor little i30 copped a pretty decent whack and will require a replacement hatch and bumper, as well as repairs to the cargo area floor.

We were both comprehensively insured, but the i30 has only ever been insured for market value. I was a bit shocked to read the policy and find that figure was now supposedly $4.5k, so my biggest concern was that they'd write the car off. The panel beater thought that would be the most likely outcome.

Thankfully the insurance company has approved the repair. I use this little car it every day, and it's worth way more to me than the $4.5k payout figure. We bought it new and have looked after it and despite the 227k on the clock it's been thoroughly reliable and has never let us down. I think I might need to look at an agreed value once it's repaired.

Which brings me to another all too familiar story in these times of supply chain and skills shortages. The repair was approved two weeks ago and the earliest available date to commence the repair is April 20th!

[Itsme]

You go through your own and the car insurance that hit you, the insurance companies that are involved will work out the mess who pays who.

[lra]

But sometimes its in your best interest to claim against the other insurance company to get a fair settlement in the event of a write off, you don't have to accept the offer that's on the table if you cant replace what you have for the amount offered. .

I have had quite a bit of practice in regards to this, and have come to the conclusion that the easiest way is to claim via your insurance. You pay the premium for them to act on your behalf.


You go through your own and the car insurance that hit you, the insurance companies that are involved will work out the mess who pays who.

As I wrote above.

[Vesper Martini]

Im with RACV and do not have to pay an Excess if its not my Fault, I've also used AAMI without an Excess.

I think it depends on your Policy, but read the below on AAMI

https://www.aami.com.au/aami-informe...fault%20driver.

An accident that's not your Fault should not affect your no claims bonus, but I can't speak for Budget Direct

[Vesper Martini]

Just on the above we often rotate between insurance companies, Just like electricity supply they seem to look after new customers above existing.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Vesper Martini

Just on the above we often rotate between insurance companies, Just like electricity supply they seem to look after new customers above existing.

I changed to GIO who has an office here in town (Suncorp)

They get 13% commission on new insurance clients but only 8% on renewals, a bit of an incentive to look after new clients perhaps?