Urgent Insurance advice - Carpark smash
Discussion
Great!
Just had a phone call from my office reception. Someone's left their handbrake off and their cars rolled down a hill into mine.
My front bumpers ripped in half, all the front grilles are ruined, bonnet bent, fog lights broke, parking sensors popped out. It's pushed the car back around 2 foot into the wall (but rear bumper damage is only scuffs, but probably has internal damage).
I have all the insurance details from the other chap. Do I need to call mine? I've never made a claim before, so what do I do?
The cars only covered 3,500 miles. Gutted.
Just had a phone call from my office reception. Someone's left their handbrake off and their cars rolled down a hill into mine.
My front bumpers ripped in half, all the front grilles are ruined, bonnet bent, fog lights broke, parking sensors popped out. It's pushed the car back around 2 foot into the wall (but rear bumper damage is only scuffs, but probably has internal damage).
I have all the insurance details from the other chap. Do I need to call mine? I've never made a claim before, so what do I do?
The cars only covered 3,500 miles. Gutted.
I'm covered. I know this because my insurance renewal is tomorrow. Sod law!
DSC_0335 by Rich Perkins, on Flickr
DSC_0335 by Rich Perkins, on Flickr
Edited by EnthusiastOwned on Wednesday 15th June 09:12
You can call yours, but if there is no liability dispute then it is often quicker and easier to deal with the 3rd parties insurer as they will be keen to get it settled quickly to avoid inflated costs of an accident management company.
You should call yours at some point to let them know, even if the 3rd party have agreed to handle the claim themselves.
You should call yours at some point to let them know, even if the 3rd party have agreed to handle the claim themselves.
ging84 said:
You can call yours, but if there is no liability dispute then it is often quicker and easier to deal with the 3rd parties insurer as they will be keen to get it settled quickly to avoid inflated costs of an accident management company.
You should call yours at some point to let them know, even if the 3rd party have agreed to handle the claim themselves.
Very much this. Call the 3rd party first. Ask them to deal with assessment and a car. Minimise your losses as you are compelled to do. In reality, the insurer will probably deal with you quicker and cleaner this way, maybe even give you a like for like hire, then call yours and notify them. You should call yours at some point to let them know, even if the 3rd party have agreed to handle the claim themselves.
That's a better way than calling your own insurer first, being introduced to Albany or similar and letting the leeches get their pay day
eltax91 said:
ging84 said:
You can call yours, but if there is no liability dispute then it is often quicker and easier to deal with the 3rd parties insurer as they will be keen to get it settled quickly to avoid inflated costs of an accident management company.
You should call yours at some point to let them know, even if the 3rd party have agreed to handle the claim themselves.
Very much this. Call the 3rd party first. Ask them to deal with assessment and a car. Minimise your losses as you are compelled to do. In reality, the insurer will probably deal with you quicker and cleaner this way, maybe even give you a like for like hire, then call yours and notify them. You should call yours at some point to let them know, even if the 3rd party have agreed to handle the claim themselves.
That's a better way than calling your own insurer first, being introduced to Albany or similar and letting the leeches get their pay day
EnthusiastOwned said:
Thanks chaps,
Just calling their insurers now. To be fair to he guy by the time I realised what had happened he had put in the claim.
What happens with my renewal? Do I need to put it down as a claim?
you NCB will be intact if you to direct to the other guys insurers but you should disclose this when renewing. Just calling their insurers now. To be fair to he guy by the time I realised what had happened he had put in the claim.
What happens with my renewal? Do I need to put it down as a claim?
EnthusiastOwned said:
I'm covered. I know this because my insurance renewal is tomorrow. Sod law!
DSC_0335 by Rich Perkins, on Flickr
Let it renew before calling them. I think 1 day is fine, but check t&c....Maybe ask on SPL if this is a stupid idea. High chance the price could bump up drastically for having an unsettled claim at renewal time.DSC_0335 by Rich Perkins, on Flickr
Edited by Black_S3 on Tuesday 7th June 12:21
EnthusiastOwned said:
What happens with my renewal? Do I need to put it down as a claim?
You'll need to tell them you have a claim pending and unfortunately it may well up your premium. The good thing is that you should be able to quantify the increase and pass this onto the other insurers.eybic said:
EnthusiastOwned said:
What happens with my renewal? Do I need to put it down as a claim?
You'll need to tell them you have a claim pending and unfortunately it may well up your premium. The good thing is that you should be able to quantify the increase and pass this onto the other insurers.I was involved in a non fault accident for the first time in 20+ years of driving earlier in the year.
Explained that my premiums would go up on both cars (provided comparison quotes) and therefore I'd be out of pocket but was told it was not something that could be claimed for.
uuf361 said:
I don't know of anyone who has been able to pass on the increased premium to the other party.
I was involved in a non fault accident for the first time in 20+ years of driving earlier in the year.
Explained that my premiums would go up on both cars (provided comparison quotes) and therefore I'd be out of pocket but was told it was not something that could be claimed for.
OK, I thought the idea was that you will be put back into the position you were prior to the incident but people rarely know exactly how much it has cost whereas the OP will know as he has had his renewal price.I was involved in a non fault accident for the first time in 20+ years of driving earlier in the year.
Explained that my premiums would go up on both cars (provided comparison quotes) and therefore I'd be out of pocket but was told it was not something that could be claimed for.
Thanks for the input everyone.
I've called their insurers (Covea via M&S) and put the claim in with them. Courtesy car sorted via enterprise (managed to get a like for like so presuming an Astra or similar) and my car is being picked up in the next 24 hours (awaiting a phone call) from a company called FixAuto - Never heard of them but they are approved, only use genuine parts, lifetime warranty and doesn't affect my Seat warranty/guarantee.
I've informed my insures who have put it down as a notice (they first put it down as a claim!) meaning it doesn't affect my NCB or excess etc, but may affect my renewal, I'll call up to find out shortly.
The other chap was very apologetic, sounded like a decent bloke and he had confirmed liability with his insurers all very quickly and efficiently. Turns out it was a 2014 Freelander, that explains the damage. Still pissed off, but it could have been worse (the guy could have done a runner!).
One other question. I have a classic car insurance policy for my MK1 Golf. Do I need to notify them? I don't want them to invalidate any potential claim because of a technicality.
I've called their insurers (Covea via M&S) and put the claim in with them. Courtesy car sorted via enterprise (managed to get a like for like so presuming an Astra or similar) and my car is being picked up in the next 24 hours (awaiting a phone call) from a company called FixAuto - Never heard of them but they are approved, only use genuine parts, lifetime warranty and doesn't affect my Seat warranty/guarantee.
I've informed my insures who have put it down as a notice (they first put it down as a claim!) meaning it doesn't affect my NCB or excess etc, but may affect my renewal, I'll call up to find out shortly.
The other chap was very apologetic, sounded like a decent bloke and he had confirmed liability with his insurers all very quickly and efficiently. Turns out it was a 2014 Freelander, that explains the damage. Still pissed off, but it could have been worse (the guy could have done a runner!).
One other question. I have a classic car insurance policy for my MK1 Golf. Do I need to notify them? I don't want them to invalidate any potential claim because of a technicality.
Bit of an update.
I'm going through their insurers who's been really good so far. I had a courtesy car within a few hours, a Nissan Juke - Great spec and brand new, it's just a Nissan Juke
My car has been picked up today for an estimation/repair so fingers crossed. I can't foresee any issues and I'll get a phone call within a couple of days to let me know what's happening. I did notice when the car was put on the loader (was the first time I've seen the car in daylight) that the rear bumper had took a bigger hit than expected, the rear indent in the bumper where the plastic sits had marks, meaning the bumper had flexed a good few inches for this to happen, I suspect the innards will be damaged.
One thing has crossed my mind, will I get to inspect the car before taking it back? I like my cars (obviously) and I don't really want to be accepting anything short as it was before, perfect. I don't want to be driving around in a poorly repaired or bent car for the next few years. Is that unreasonable to expect? Do I go to them, do they bring the car to me?
Also, I have a classic policy for a MK1 Golf - Do I need to notify them of this claim?
I'm going through their insurers who's been really good so far. I had a courtesy car within a few hours, a Nissan Juke - Great spec and brand new, it's just a Nissan Juke
My car has been picked up today for an estimation/repair so fingers crossed. I can't foresee any issues and I'll get a phone call within a couple of days to let me know what's happening. I did notice when the car was put on the loader (was the first time I've seen the car in daylight) that the rear bumper had took a bigger hit than expected, the rear indent in the bumper where the plastic sits had marks, meaning the bumper had flexed a good few inches for this to happen, I suspect the innards will be damaged.
One thing has crossed my mind, will I get to inspect the car before taking it back? I like my cars (obviously) and I don't really want to be accepting anything short as it was before, perfect. I don't want to be driving around in a poorly repaired or bent car for the next few years. Is that unreasonable to expect? Do I go to them, do they bring the car to me?
Also, I have a classic policy for a MK1 Golf - Do I need to notify them of this claim?
Edited by EnthusiastOwned on Saturday 8th October 10:00
A Juke?! you should have pushed for an Austin Maxi and an hour in the pain glove, now we'll all have to pay £20k to insure our cars
As for the Golf, the insurers will know you've been involved in an accident as it goes on a database, If it effects your policy or not is down to them i'm afraid. I would imagine more specialist insurers (IE the ones that offer classic car insurance) won't be as tight as the mainstream lot?
As for the Golf, the insurers will know you've been involved in an accident as it goes on a database, If it effects your policy or not is down to them i'm afraid. I would imagine more specialist insurers (IE the ones that offer classic car insurance) won't be as tight as the mainstream lot?
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