Mobility car crash

foshabz9408

my wife was involved in an accident in my mobility car she was not at fault and the other party admitted full liability.
problem is she is not a named driver because she has her own car, I had gone out for a little walk & didn’t feel well so I phoned her, she panicked and jumped in first car. I was only 1/2 mile away. This car hit my wife & another car. I am now wondering what happens. I have informed direct line but not had a response from them yet. My wife is past her self with worry.

Fuji

As your wife isn't a named driver it means she was driving while uninsured. Its gonna cause some problems at least especially being involved in an accident. It's illegal to drive while uninsured.

I'm sorry but it's quite possible motability will ban you from the scheme if an uninsured driver was driving as you are responsible for the car. Did you tell them an uninsured driver was driving and was involved in an accident? Even if it wasn't her fault she still shouldn't have been driving as she's not a named driver. You have responsibility for who drives it and to make sure that only those who are a named driver drive it.

Fuji

https://www.motability.co.uk/get-support/contact/report-misuse/

If you see this link, driving while uninsured is breaking the terms and conditions of the scheme. Motability do take breaches quite seriously.

anisty

As the insured driver has admitted liability, as long as that driver's insurance company agrees their driver was fully to blame, your car will be covered and repaired under that driver's policy.

If the police weren't called to the scene, you might just get away with this one.

But, as you know, your wife should not be driving your car at all. It is very fortunate indeed she was not at fault.

Bydand

I would say that even if it is sorted out through the other parties insurance and there has currently been no Police involvement it may be likely that during the investigations the insurance company will carry out that your wife’s lack of insurance is likely to come out. All they need to ask is for her policy number which I would imagine would be a standard question to ask for, even if not her direct fault.

And, you will definitely have to inform motability as the car belongs to them, you just lease it. Even if repairs to the car are to a very high standard they will definitely want to know.

MW123

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/131590/mobility-car-crash

You need to be completely honest and upfront and report the incident to Motability. If the driver of the vehicle that hit your wife’s car and a stationary car is insured, and their insurer pays out, they will still need to liaise with Motability’s insurer.

They will likely find out that your wife, who wasn’t insured to drive the vehicle, was behind the wheel. Being honest will help you maintain credibility, and if it’s discovered later that any details were not fully disclosed, it could jeopardise the chance of resolving the situation smoothly.

On the plus side, the police weren’t involved, which could have made things much worse. Your wife could have been charged with driving an uninsured vehicle and taking it without the owner's permission, as Motability has not given her permission to drive the car.

I understand that spur-of-the-moment decisions aren’t always fully thought through, but it’s really important to be honest now to avoid further complications.

foshabz9408

thanks everyone.
I have contacted motability and been honest & open with them.
this is the first time of having a motability vehicle and only had it 2 weeks.
the police were called as this vehicle hit my wife & another car.
the police did speak to my wife and checked that she had fully comp insurance on another vehicle.
I guess we will just have to wait and see.
Does anyone know what will happen to my car? Will it be repaired? Will I have to pay the costs?

Bydand

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1003755#Comment_1003755

I am glad that you have been open and honest with motability, it couldn’t have been an easy conversation to have with them but you definitely have done the right thing.

Hopefully direct line will get back in touch with you as they will know the specific ins and outs of your policy and be better able to advise where to go from here. Again you need to be honest with them.

I think it is appropriate to be aware that there might be further Police involvement. Having fully comprehensive insurance on her own car doesn’t automatically allow your wife to drive other vehicles. Some policies include something called DOC cover ( driving other cars ) but not all, and even if this was the case I am not sure how this would be applicable to a motability car which you effectively lease as opposed to another car you might own.

You need to be advised by motability and your car insurer as they will need to correspond with one another ref recovering car, repairs etc.

I realise a horrible situation to be in and I am sure you’re wife feels terrible about it.Hopefully no one injured.

I hope things are sorted out for you though

egister

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/131590/mobility-car-crash

As I can see, your wife acted in an emergency. I am not a lawyer, but in my opinion, she tried to prevent more possible harm than trouble because of insurance.

MW123

Many people don’t realise that DOC (Driving Other Cars) coverage is meant only for emergencies, and driving under these conditions feels like a high-risk gamble to me. It only provides third-party coverage for damage to other cars or property, not the car you’re driving. So, if you crash someone else’s car, your own insurance policy will cover damage to other vehicles or property involved, but it won’t cover the cost of repairing or replacing (if written off) the borrowed car you were driving.

As you pointed out @Bydand not all fully comprehensive policies offer this anyway. I have it, but I’d never use it, as I couldn’t afford to repair or replace someone else’s car, or cover the cost of a hire car until they get their vehicle back. It’s expensive enough just keeping my own on the road!

anisty

I would guess your wife's insurance was checked at the scene and that she IS ok to drive other vehicles 3rd party - hence as far as the Police are concerned, there is no criminality by your wife.

Yes, the other driver's policy will cover repairs on your car.

Driving 3rd party isn't only for emergencies - it can be the only policy needed on old, less valuable vehicles. Once the value of our vehicles drop below £1k or so, we'd just put a 3rd party on as the cost of insuring fully comp isn't worth it when a minor prang gets your vehicle written off.

But - yes - best kept for emergencies with expensive cars!

And always check your own policy to see what is covered BEFORE driving!

As for what Motibility will do, that's for others to answer as i know nothing of the scheme - i was just thinking of the legal position.