Car Park Claim.

[Temple]

A while ago i was in a car park and a woman was doing a 3 point turn and pretty much drove into the back of my car whilst doing her maneuver (cracked and scuffed my bumper) - we switched details and went off on our way, the damage to my car was minimal i fixed it my self and was pleased with the job (avoiding my rather large excess).


Fast forward to yesterday - where my current insurer phones me up to tell me a claim as gone through against me and that she won the claim, my insurance company paid out £2300 - i wasn't made aware there was a claim being made against me? i wasn't aware that they put ME at fault - and the insures never asked me what happened?


so i guess um wut.... where do i stand?

[DaveH23]

I assume you have spoke to your insurance company.

What have they said?

[Matthen]

I guess you informed your insurance company? As it says in the T&Cs. You are meant to tell them even if you're not claiming from them, to avoid situations like this.

[Temple]

I haven't rung them back up yet as i'm at work (supposed to be working)

I didn't inform them as my damage was so minor, having never gone through insurance before i didn't think it was necessary.

Is there anything i can do? I'm really quite annoyed at the fact its her fault and its gone against me - with out even knowing the full story so to speak (both sides)?!.

[Chrisw666]

This is why you should inform your insurer of all incidents regardless of whether you wish to claim or not. Had you spoken to them they would have fought your corner, unless you've been ignoring correspondence from them because someone will normally want your side of the story.

[carreauchompeur]

To be honest, I probably wouldn't have mentioned it in the circumstances.

But sadly you had the misfortune to be hit by an amoral leech.

[Matthen]

Well, I would phone them ASAP, and see if there is an appeals process.

Sad that in today's society people cannot admit when they've fked up, even when it was blatantly there fault. Hope you get it sorted.

[kambites]

Had you told them at the time, I guess you might have a point (I don't know). But as people have said, strictly speaking you're probably in breach of your insurance contract anyway by having had an accident without informing them.

Still, no harm in talking to them.

[PurpleMoonlight]

Strange.

I find it hard to believe that an insurer would simply pay a third party claim without contacting the insurered whatsoever beforehand.

[falkster]

It does seem rather odd as insurance companies aren't great at paying out even when it's a simple black/white case, so for them to just pay out without getting in touch is very strange.
I would always inform the insurance company of anything purely because it's the correct process.

[Deva Link]

PurpleMoonlight said:

Strange.

I find it hard to believe that an insurer would simply pay a third party claim without contacting the insurered whatsoever beforehand.

Me too. Admittedly it was a few years ago, but someone ran into me. Gave me all his details etc, but when I tried to claim off his insurance nothing happened for weeks as he hadn't reported the incident and it was some time before his insurance company were able to contact him.

[Temple]

They have both my home and mobile numbers - neither to my knowledge have been contacted, i'm pretty much always in the house after 5:30 - once i'm home later i'll be phoning up,

The only reason i know is because my current insurer (different company) notified me about a claim gone through which raised my insurance by £200.

[Boydie88]

Sadly not much you can do but use the scumbags details and give her some abuse.

[barker22]

PurpleMoonlight said:

Strange.

I find it hard to believe that an insurer would simply pay a third party claim without contacting the insurered whatsoever beforehand.

Its seems to be happening more and more going by some of the threads on here.
Could it simply be a case of cost saving as if one party hasn't come forward with their side of events you automatically lose the claim on the basis that you have breached the contract. It may save one party from claiming for silly damages if they think the claim is already finished with.

[carreauchompeur]

It is odd.

A woman hit my GF's car a couple of years ago and left a note. Contacted them and they initially offered to pay, but then started backing out when I got a (very, very reasonable) quote for £400 to repair and started all sorts of weasel-ing. Claiming she didn't do all the damage, that we were lying etc (Very, very bad move when talking to a commercial solicitor and Police officer!) Luckily managed to get her insurance details eventually.

Contacted them direct and they were brilliant, however it turned out that she hadn't told them. Oh dear!

I think they wrote to her at least twice, then settled by default. I'm surprised this didn't happen in your case.

[11110111]

i know this is imoral, as is the other parties claim, however can not you just say to your ins. co that this 'event' never happened at all?

[PoleDriver]

11110111 said:

i know this is imoral, as is the other parties claim, however can not you just say to your ins. co that this 'event' never happened at all?

So why did he exchange insurance details with the other party?

[Temple]

Boydie88 said:

Sadly not much you can do but use the scumbags details and give her some abuse.

I am tempted to ring her and ask her what on earth shes doing, but i don't think that would get me anywhere other than getting into my car and causing 2300 of real damage to her car.

FYI insurance company in question is - autodirect

Edited by Temple on Friday 6th July 11:36

[11110111]

PoleDriver said:

So why did he exchange insurance details with the other party?

true...

however OP said he exchanged "details" but if it was reg no and address then fine, if ins. details then yeah - you are probably right... not questioning you just trying to help out the OP...

[anonymous-user]

.... by suggesting he lie to his insurer and potentially to a court. Very helpful help!