Cyclist, Damage To A Car

[gsr600]

If a cyclist hits your car & causes damage - has no insurance can you somehow claim for damages WITHOUT going via your car insurance & costing you on your NCB if you got any.

[EDDIE51]

Only if you sue the cyclist in a civil court

[Mamyalynne]

You take out Insurance so that in the event of an accident, they take care of the claim.

I have no idea how it works when the damage is caused by a cyclist but am sure an insurance company does.

[gsr600]

even if you notify Insurance company & don't make a claim this will count against you come renewal time,, stuffed either way.
NO its not me involved

[Electrochem]

his has long been a bone of contention for me. I speak as someone who regularly cycled 90 miles a week to work and back plus a lot of rides of between 60 and 150 miles at evenings and weekends. I now drive everywhere.

Sadly, if a cyclist hits your car and causes damage, you would have to sue them through the civil courts.

Someone I know pulled up one night, looked in his off side mirror and over his shoulder before opening his door. Next thing, band a cyclist went straight into his door. His car sustained £800 worth of damage and he was taken to court for DC and A, fined and points put on his licence. Absolutely absurd! If I cyclist goes out at night without any lights and wearing dark clothing, then they should be pulled up and have their bike confiscated. No excuse for it!

I am not against cyclists, but increasing numbers of them totally disregard the rules of the road. My belief is that they should all have third party insurance.

I'm not saying all car drivers are perfect, but there needs to be mutual respect.

[EDDIE51]

If a cyclist is involved in an accident it is ALWAYS the vehicle drivers fault no matter what the situation. As cyclists have no insurance the driver pays requardless of what happened.
Before people start saying cyclists should have insurance, remember this would mean all cycles would have to be registered with the DVLA , all sales of cycles would have to be registered as car sales are and all cycles would need number plates. The cost would be astronomical and the system unworkable.
Motor insurance includes a % of the premium to cover uninsured drivers and this includes cycles.
As said , if it was the cyclists fault it is in theory possible to sue the cyclist for your loss of NCB and increased premium. But if the cyclist is a child or has no money (very likely) then there is no point sueing.

[EDDIE51]

You should try driving through 'CycleCity' Cambridge at night or in the peak hours! It is seriously scary , the cyclists know they can never be charged for damage so just ride like suicidal lunatics. I now refuse to go to Cambridge in the peak hours or at night it is just too dangerous.

[SpikeyBush]

I have my bike insured which includes third party liability. I like to think I am a good cyclist but nobody is immune to mistakes. If someone without insurance damages your car the motor insurers bureau should compensate you. They compensated me in 1994 when an uninsured driver drove into the back of my Sierra while I was waiting at a set of lights.

[Peter Pedant]

find out if he has household insurance - that is as a freeholder (likely) or a tenant ( a bit unlikely) and sue on that.

the household insurance will have a clause for public liability and negligence