Offer of cash - what would you do?

Thank you all for replying. Certainly has focussed my mind on the consequences of accepting.
The accident is being dealt with through our insurers, and I’ve already been offered a good price for my “total loss “ (car written off).

Being offered this ‘gift of cash’ from a stranger, has made me feel quite uneasy. The phrase ‘no such thing as a free lunch’ springs to mind.
He’s actually just text me again today, asking if I’ll accept. Guilt & worry I think

I’ve just politely declined his offer and said the insurers will sort it all out.

Just another Q It was completely his fault…. Do insurers push for a dangerous driving conviction( maybe after viewing the dash cam film?) . Police were not at the scene of the accident. A queue of traffic did see the accident - could a random person have reported dangerous driving?

I think he is genuinely being nice but is unaware that it could be seen as a dodgy move. Turn him down, but gently.

Go through your insurance, they should sort this for you.

Some years ago, someone drove into the side of DH's company car when I was driving it. It was a young woman driving and uite a smart car. It turned out that she too was driving her partner's car. I was a named and fully insured driver for my DH's car

That evening I got a phone call from her partner asking me to say on my claim form that he was driving, not his girlfriend because she was not insured to drive the car and how their car needed extensive repairs and they could not afford it.

I said a very emphatic 'NO'. I had every sympathy for their predicament, but I was not going to commit a crime myself to get them out of trouble.

As bluebelle has said

If you have notified Insurance Company, they have it on record, no more to be said, I have let someone that went into the back of me sort it out as I thought he was genuine, luckily he was, however I had never told my Insurance Company.

Thank hm ( he may well be genuine) but DO NOT accept his offer tell him it’s totally out of your hands and it’s already being dealt with by the insurers.
Good luck

Sounds too fishy - say "thanks but no thanks".

I’ve done it once (I mean not involving the insurance) a 70ish year old neighbour ran into my car breaking my light. I offered him the chance to sort it without involving our insurance companies. He was really grateful as he had cancer at the time & didn’t need the stress.
A year later he knocked on my door, said he was giving up driving due to ill health & would I like first offer of buying his car, a rather nice VW as I had been so kind.
Anyway I did buy it cheaper than market value. So win win all round 😊

No injuries now but if injuries in your back started up six months later, he would be off the hook since you already accepted a setttlement. You will take heed and say no, this is an insurance matter.

Stay well clear and negotiate with your insurance company only. It doesn't sound legal to me.

I had an accident with a parked car (another story!) and I fully intended to go through my insurance. The day after the accident her hubby called me saying they were happy not to involve insurance companies which was a red flag because I was the guilty party. It turned out her car wasn't insured as found on a website check. Who knew whether she also wasn't taxed and MOT'd but I went through insurance.

Unusual offer. Bit tempting though 🤣

I’d thank him, but say the insurance has dealt with the claim.
My SisinL recently had a bump in a carpark - minimal damage, so her sons paid for the damage to the other car, whilst she paid for a new bumper on hers. At 80, she knew her insurance premium would rocket and she was totally at fault.

Your other ‘at fault’ driver could make a donation to a charity if he’s feeling guilty.

I don’t think I’d cultivate any relationship with him.

As others have said, stay with insurance, don’t get involved personally

I agree turn it down immediately. I would also check how much it would cost to replace your car. You can get car prices on ebay or autotrader and if the insurance company offered less than that, then argue with them.

I did this after an accident when my car was written off. I argued that an identical replacement car would cost me £1,000 more than they were offering - and I got it. They expect you to argue and have to raise the price.

No - don’t negotiate with anyone. Leave your insurers to deal with it.

It is the insurance company hands. He’s admitted complete fault. We were not physically hurt, but both were shocked after the accident. He had my phone no (as we had exchanged details after the accident). He’s sent a few kind messages asking how I am this week, & today asked if he could speak to me. On the phone call he asked how I was and would I accept £1000 as a “goodwill gift” towards my new car . I just think he’s a really kind man. I know it’s not a common gesture & feels a little odd to accept. ( although cash would be welcome!)

No no no!

Do you mean not to go through your insurance?
A woman ran into my bumper, then drove off. It cost my insurance well over a grand to get it fixed.

Most people end up out of pocket after a write off unless they had new for old cover.

Were you hurt in the crash? Were the police involved? Might there be a criminal prosecution against him for dangerous driving that’s sitting with the CPS right now waiting for them to make a decision over whether to proceed?

It might just be a genuine kindly offer but if you are called to give evidence in a court case and you have accepted money from him that won’t look good.

No. Go through your insurance.

No guilty party would give you £1000 without strings attached. Ignore him.

I agree with welbeck.

Do not parley with him.
It could be some sort of scam.
Only deal with your insurers.