Claiming on a motorist's insurance after accident

Easier to claim through the drivers insurance direct than the driver, who probably won't have a clue what to do with a claim. Your home contents will be easier still as you are effectively paying them to help you. Although mind your own premiums. You might have a premium protection plan, particularly if they can claim back of the drivers insurance (they'll probably want to).

DO NOT and I really mean this DO NOT go through your household insurer. They will accrue costs and they will pass them straight back to you.

They have nothing to do with this. My mother was in insurance and her area was household and motoring claims - I've had this drilled into me practically since birth!
You use the insurance for what you buy it for!

If you want someone to take it on for you, go for an cyclist insurance claims specialist. They will add their costs to yours and take it from the claim and pass your costs on to you. Russell Jones and Wlker (the CTC isnurance company) seem to get the best press for this.

CTC membership is worth its weight in gold in this sort of case, since you just ring their hotline number and leave it to them to sort out.