STATUE
Well-Known Member
My insurance company is focused on whether I admitted liability.
Yes, I said it was my boat what did it and said sorry.
Yes, I said it was my boat what did it and said sorry.
SORRY = ADMITTING LIABILITY ?
- Thread starter STATUE
- Start date
MoodySabre
Well-Known Member
I was told never to say sorry in an accident because it was admission of liability. Insurance companies like to fight their corner regardless.
johnalison
Well-Known Member
That's what I have heard too. There are many 'accidents' which may at first seem to be one party's fault but which later turn out to be more complicated, and the advice is often sound. However, if STATUE felt that he was clearly to blame, then his admission was obviously the right thing to do. If nothing else, he must have known that it would be impossible to argue his way out of it in any case.
KevinV
Well-Known Member
I've had a lively, erm, "discussion" with my insurers when I apologised wholeheartedly and accepted the blame for an incident when I was 110% at fault. Insurers weren't happy, but I refused to take it back - I pay them to cover losses caused by me, I caused it, so they should pay - simple.
They paid, and probably saved a fortune in lawyer's fees.
They paid, and probably saved a fortune in lawyer's fees.
RunAgroundHard
Well-Known Member
Saying sorry is not an admission of liability according to this article from a law firm, about car accidents. I can't imagine that it is different with boat insurance. There are a few claims, in a google search, that it could be used as part of proving you were liable, but not in itself.
Why "sorry" seems to be the hardest word following a Car Incident
Why "sorry" seems to be the hardest word following a Car Incident
LittleSister
Well-Known Member
I seem to recall it is (or used too be?) typically a condition of motor insurance that you don't accept liability.
Not sure saying sorry would in itself be an admission of liability. You might be sorry your car/boat is now dented!
Not sure saying sorry would in itself be an admission of liability. You might be sorry your car/boat is now dented!
Bouba
Well-Known Member
I agree with you....Brits say sorry even when someone bumps into them....it’s no more than an exclamation. It can also be an offer of empathy...I’m sorry for your predicament.
In a car accident even if you are in the wrong...if the other driver or their car isn’t legal they could be wronger
AntarcticPilot
Well-Known Member
Not only Brits; my late wife apologised after a car accident, as would be quite usual in Hong Kong, regardless of who caused the accident. She was probably at least 50% to blame (a combination of a bad road layout (modified remarkably quickly after the accident!), parked cars and the other driver being in a rush were the other 50%), but the apology (which the other party bore witness to) removed any defence when she was summonsed for driving without due care and attention. We did submit a letter setting out all the particulars, and the punishment was at the bottom of the scale (points and a fine), but unfortunately it counted as a criminal conviction and delayed her gaining British citizenship until the conviction was spent.
Bouba
Well-Known Member
That’s the other problem....you never know what the courts will do
KompetentKrew
Well-Known Member
Just tell your insurer that you didn't admit liability and if the other boater later says that you said sorry (which you don't remember doing) then it's up to the insurers' lawyers to decide what that means.
Boater Sam
Well-Known Member
Unfortunate is a better word to use.
In a car accident I always said that it was not my fault (usually wasn't anyway ) as later I could always claim shock and diminished responsibility.
