Speaking to my Insurance company about non fault claim
Discussion
I've given my neighbour more than enough of a chance to correct the damage they cause to my car.
The front lip has been damaged when they backed into my car, twice.
They've now turned around with the absolute cheek to say that they do not accept responsibility, as they measure their car (f
k knows what they measured) and they don't believe it was them, even though i have footage of them doing it.
I was able to obtain a quote to repair the lip, not a SMART repair, and the total is less than my excess.
Sure i could just get this done and pay for it out of my pocket, but this pisses me off that they have the absolute gall to deny doing this.
So, if i were to speak to my insurance company and explain that i do not want to claim on my policy, but would want them to chase the 3rd party for payment, will this end up with me having to declare a "claim/accident" for the next 5 years?
Long term, will this be more hassle for me by using my insurance company?
The front lip has been damaged when they backed into my car, twice.
They've now turned around with the absolute cheek to say that they do not accept responsibility, as they measure their car (f
k knows what they measured) and they don't believe it was them, even though i have footage of them doing it. I was able to obtain a quote to repair the lip, not a SMART repair, and the total is less than my excess.
Sure i could just get this done and pay for it out of my pocket, but this pisses me off that they have the absolute gall to deny doing this.
So, if i were to speak to my insurance company and explain that i do not want to claim on my policy, but would want them to chase the 3rd party for payment, will this end up with me having to declare a "claim/accident" for the next 5 years?
Long term, will this be more hassle for me by using my insurance company?
smokey mow said:
I would pay the £10 fee to askmid to obtain their insurance details and then contact their insurance company yourself directly with the video evidence and photos you have.
Do this, I went through my insurance for a similar (although more damage) situation. My insurance were suitably ste, slow and annoying.If you claim off an insurance policy - yours or theirs - you'll have to declare the claim come renewal regardless. UK insurers share a database of claims info so they know regardless, but you're still obliged to declare it.
Your options are either:
1) Pay for the repairs yourself, and don't involve insurance at all.
2) Get the other party to pay for repairs, outside of insurance (this seems like a non-starter)
3) Claim off insurance - makes no odds either way whether its yours or his really, the only practical difference is that his insurance is likely to be more motivated to reduce their costs so will probably be more actively keen to keep you happy.
If the cost to fix it is less than your excess, then I suspect that option 1 is probably the best option for you, even if you do it through gritted teeth. Neighbourly disputes are never fun either and cause problems of their own.
Your options are either:
1) Pay for the repairs yourself, and don't involve insurance at all.
2) Get the other party to pay for repairs, outside of insurance (this seems like a non-starter)
3) Claim off insurance - makes no odds either way whether its yours or his really, the only practical difference is that his insurance is likely to be more motivated to reduce their costs so will probably be more actively keen to keep you happy.
If the cost to fix it is less than your excess, then I suspect that option 1 is probably the best option for you, even if you do it through gritted teeth. Neighbourly disputes are never fun either and cause problems of their own.
Paid the £10 and obtained the policy number and insurance company.
After speaking to them, they can only confirm that they hold the policy if i have the correct policy holder name and address.
Turns out that the details that i've been given are not correct, however the car is insured by them.
Plus point is the person i spoke to on the claims line was super helpful and they said that if my car was stationary and unattended, plus i have video footage, it's pretty clear cut that the policy holder was at fault. My excess will be refunded.
I need to speak to my insurance company now, as i cannot make a claim through the third party, but at least i won't have to pay my excess and their NCB/premiums will be affected when they renew.
After speaking to them, they can only confirm that they hold the policy if i have the correct policy holder name and address.
Turns out that the details that i've been given are not correct, however the car is insured by them.
Plus point is the person i spoke to on the claims line was super helpful and they said that if my car was stationary and unattended, plus i have video footage, it's pretty clear cut that the policy holder was at fault. My excess will be refunded.
I need to speak to my insurance company now, as i cannot make a claim through the third party, but at least i won't have to pay my excess and their NCB/premiums will be affected when they renew.
bunchofkeys said:
Paid the £10 and obtained the policy number and insurance company.
After speaking to them, they can only confirm that they hold the policy if i have the correct policy holder name and address.
Turns out that the details that i've been given are not correct, however the car is insured by them.
Plus point is the person i spoke to on the claims line was super helpful and they said that if my car was stationary and unattended, plus i have video footage, it's pretty clear cut that the policy holder was at fault. My excess will be refunded.
I need to speak to my insurance company now, as i cannot make a claim through the third party, but at least i won't have to pay my excess and their NCB/premiums will be affected when they renew.
You can make a claim via the 3rd party, I have done it several times. They are just fobbing you off.After speaking to them, they can only confirm that they hold the policy if i have the correct policy holder name and address.
Turns out that the details that i've been given are not correct, however the car is insured by them.
Plus point is the person i spoke to on the claims line was super helpful and they said that if my car was stationary and unattended, plus i have video footage, it's pretty clear cut that the policy holder was at fault. My excess will be refunded.
I need to speak to my insurance company now, as i cannot make a claim through the third party, but at least i won't have to pay my excess and their NCB/premiums will be affected when they renew.
bunchofkeys said:
What details did you give to the 3rd party insurance company, when you successfully made the claim?
The reg number, possibly the name and phone number. Was a few years ago so cannot remember exactly.Literally rang their claims dept and said a driver you insure hasd hit me. They took all the details, pictures etc and was dealt with after that.
The only details i have, that is legit, is the registration plate and MID policy number.
Everything else they have given me, their name and address, are not that of the policy holder.
Will try again and just tell them that their policy holder has hit my car and that they're liable, but i feel that i may be pointed back to my own Insurance company.
Everything else they have given me, their name and address, are not that of the policy holder.
Will try again and just tell them that their policy holder has hit my car and that they're liable, but i feel that i may be pointed back to my own Insurance company.
bunchofkeys said:
The only details i have, that is legit, is the registration plate and MID policy number.
Everything else they have given me, their name and address, are not that of the policy holder.
Will try again and just tell them that their policy holder has hit my car and that they're liable, but i feel that i may be pointed back to my own Insurance company.
It could be leased or owned by mum and dad or a company vehicle or a hire car etc etc Everything else they have given me, their name and address, are not that of the policy holder.
Will try again and just tell them that their policy holder has hit my car and that they're liable, but i feel that i may be pointed back to my own Insurance company.
Work out what your bloody-mindedness/ballache quotient tolerance is before proceeding with the claim.
I had a van sideswipe me, encroaching over the white lines and subsequently fail to stop, all caught on dashcam. 100% his fault.
The other dude pulled the Shaggy Defence ("it wasn't me") despite the irrefutable evidence and his insurance company played along (they denied receiving the footage, then claimed their email couldn't receive the files due to size; when eventually a flash drive was delivered to them they stated the file formats couldn't be played on their hardware; they were then sent a series of still photos, like a flip-book and they claimed the van they insured didn't look like the one caught on cam, despite the reg linking to the exact van pictured etc etc). I assume they were playing silly buggers in the hope the claim would disappear. Only starting court proceedings made them fold.
The point being, even a seemingly slam dunk case can end up in the weeds and be a PITA to deal with.
I had a van sideswipe me, encroaching over the white lines and subsequently fail to stop, all caught on dashcam. 100% his fault.
The other dude pulled the Shaggy Defence ("it wasn't me") despite the irrefutable evidence and his insurance company played along (they denied receiving the footage, then claimed their email couldn't receive the files due to size; when eventually a flash drive was delivered to them they stated the file formats couldn't be played on their hardware; they were then sent a series of still photos, like a flip-book and they claimed the van they insured didn't look like the one caught on cam, despite the reg linking to the exact van pictured etc etc). I assume they were playing silly buggers in the hope the claim would disappear. Only starting court proceedings made them fold.
The point being, even a seemingly slam dunk case can end up in the weeds and be a PITA to deal with.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
I wouldn't bother with insurance. I'd get the damage fixed and send them the bill, giving them 7 days to pay or you'll issue a small claims court summons. And if they don't pay, go on line in 7 days and issue it.
This but I’d also write to them with the quote for repair before the job is done. If it does go to Court it’s good to show that you’ve given them every chance to settle.Be careful - the video evidence may well show them reversing into your car, but it does not prove that they caused the damage in the photos. You will say they did, they will say they didn't. The onus is then on you to prove they did, rather than vice versa.
I've had a similar issue in the past, someone drove into the back of one of my classic Minis - well rolled into it at a junction. They could not dispute the collision as I had a photo of their car, and it was on CCTV - but they did dispute causing the damage. Fortunately I had a photo of the car from less than 24 hours prior at an angle that showed the damage was not there a few hours before the incident.
I've had a similar issue in the past, someone drove into the back of one of my classic Minis - well rolled into it at a junction. They could not dispute the collision as I had a photo of their car, and it was on CCTV - but they did dispute causing the damage. Fortunately I had a photo of the car from less than 24 hours prior at an angle that showed the damage was not there a few hours before the incident.
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