Friend borrowed car & had an accident

Anon Imperfect Mum

Friend borrowed car & had an accident

My best friend borrowed my hubby's car & had a slight accident. No-one was hurt. She paid for the excess straight away. Since he has been accident free & this is his 1st insurance claim, his premium will go up. She did mention that she doesn't want the accident to affect him in any way. Should she also pay the difference of the premium that goes up due to her accident, or is it rude to ask of her? Thanks

Posted in:  Behaviour

15 Replies

Anon Imperfect Mum

Rude to ask. When lending the car there’s always a chance of accidents and I think it’s just something you have to cop it on the chin.

Similar happened to me and I was happy enough that they paid excess :)

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Anon Imperfect Mum

For me, such a rare friend who immediately does the right thing would be worth more than a few $$ in premiums.
I think you risk damaging your friendship by asking.

Perhaps what you need is a better insurance company. We had an accident last year (were hit by another car who didn't stop) & our premiums didn't rise because we'd never claimed before.

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Anon Imperfect Mum

I think this is the risk you take when you lend your car to someone.
She paid the excess, expecting an ongoing financial commitment is going too far, especially if it's more because you feel entitled to it because it was "her fault" as opposed to it being an actual affordability issue on your part.

As above, i think exploring other insurance avenues would be better if it is an affordability issue.

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Anon Imperfect Mum

Rude 😬 she paid the excess without question. It would be awkward to push it.

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Anon Imperfect Mum

Yes it's rude. She's not going to pay your ongoing insurance on your car. Its one of those things that just sucks. The risk yo u take.
I know people can't afford to fix my car, and I cant afford to be without it, and that's enough reason for me to say no to lending it.

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Anon Imperfect Mum

A slight accident you could have fixed it and not told insurance, and in that case you could have asked her for the full amount or some kind of agreement to split it, as it's a one off payment.

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Anon Imperfect Mum

Not if there was a third party involved.

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Anon Imperfect Mum

I think it’s wonderful she stepped in straight away to pay the excess, and more importantly no-one was hurt! Asking for ongoing financial contribution is too much in my opinion and will only create resentment over time. How would you measure the amount in future years considering premiums rise regardless of accidents? How long would the contribution be expected? Was there anything agreed to before borrowing the car about what would be done if there was an accident? If so stick to that agreement. If not I’d learn from that and be grateful that no-one was hurt and your friend paid the premium. All the best to you xx

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Anon Imperfect Mum

I wouldn’t ask. I’d consider it a cost of lending my car.
She sounds like a really responsible person and good friend.

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Anon Imperfect Mum

I wouldn't ask. Most insurance companies won't increase the price because of 1 accident. Look around for another company!

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Anon Imperfect Mum

Extremely rude. Plus wouldn't account for the fact that insurance premium changes year to year regardless of whether a claim was made.

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Anon Imperfect Mum

That is rude to ask if her!! You don’t lend out your car and then tell someone they have to pay part of your premium. It’s was an accident!! You’re being petty. If you cannot afford for your premiums to go up then don’t lend out your vehicles, if he or yourself had an accident then he’d have to pay that premium anyway. She’s paid the excess her bit is done.

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Anon Imperfect Mum

No she shouldn't have to pay the premium going up. When lending a car to someone you are taking that risk that something could happen to it while that person is driving.
She has already paid the excess. Don't hold the rest against her.

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Anon Imperfect Mum

If your husband has a good record, he should have protected rating 1 and it shouldn't impact his premiums. If his insurance puts the price up next renewal use it as an opportunity to shop around.

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Anon Imperfect Mum

Leave it at the you will ruin your friendship and she seems decent and genuine. I would leave it. I don’t think it would go up much or if at all.

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