Insurance - time limit for claim?
Discussion
Is there a time limit for claiming against someone's insurance?
A friend of mine had a very minor bump in a carpark (his fault). It was dealt with amicably at the time, details exchanged etc, and the other party agreed to get quotes etc to see if it could be sorted without going through the insurance as friends NCB was not protected. There was no issue of personal injury.
Two months later friend has not heard anything from the other driver. He's just a bit concerned that the other driver will just decide to go through insurance anyway, and also he's going away for 6 months at the beginning of next year.
On the other hand, he's understandably not keen on contacting her, to remind her to send him a big bill.
Is there a 'statute of limitations' effect on claims?
A friend of mine had a very minor bump in a carpark (his fault). It was dealt with amicably at the time, details exchanged etc, and the other party agreed to get quotes etc to see if it could be sorted without going through the insurance as friends NCB was not protected. There was no issue of personal injury.
Two months later friend has not heard anything from the other driver. He's just a bit concerned that the other driver will just decide to go through insurance anyway, and also he's going away for 6 months at the beginning of next year.
On the other hand, he's understandably not keen on contacting her, to remind her to send him a big bill.
Is there a 'statute of limitations' effect on claims?
Presumably the insurance company will honour the claim even if he's no longer insured with them?
How would it work if he has a new policy with another company but had not declared the incident, or the original company had provided proof of no claims? (This is theoretical, he hasn't moved policy at this point.)
How would it work if he has a new policy with another company but had not declared the incident, or the original company had provided proof of no claims? (This is theoretical, he hasn't moved policy at this point.)
wendyg said:
Presumably the insurance company will honour the claim even if he's no longer insured with them?
How would it work if he has a new policy with another company but had not declared the incident, or the original company had provided proof of no claims? (This is theoretical, he hasn't moved policy at this point.)
Tricky! If he checks his policy wording it will probably mention something about declaring an accident within a certain timescale. Not strictly true, as his insurers will be obliged to deal with the TP claim under the Road Traffic Act anyway. What they can do is refuse him indemnity for his own car, which isn't a problem anyway as there was no damage to his own car(?). So yes they will honour the claim.
I'd advise him to declare the incident to any potential insurer anyway but explain that it was settled amicably without involving the insurers, hence he still has his NCD. If at some point the TP comes back to claim, he's covered his backside.
He could always contact his insurers and complete an Accident Report Form but mark it for information purposes only meaning he reports it but they do not act upon it. Unless they hear otherwise.
You really need to get something in writing at the time. My dad had had a small bump and, as there was no damage and no injury, they swapped details but both said they would take it no further.
8 months down the line, the women involved makes a claim for personal injury she suffered in the accident. Actually turns out she fell down some stairs 8 months later and tried to claim for the neck injuries she incurred during her flight! It didn't go much further though luckily and no claim was every paid out for...
Best find out sooner rather than later...
8 months down the line, the women involved makes a claim for personal injury she suffered in the accident. Actually turns out she fell down some stairs 8 months later and tried to claim for the neck injuries she incurred during her flight! It didn't go much further though luckily and no claim was every paid out for...
Best find out sooner rather than later...
anniesdad said:
I'd advise him to declare the incident to any potential insurer anyway but explain that it was settled amicably without involving the insurers, hence he still has his NCD. If at some point the TP comes back to claim, he's covered his backside.
This is precisely what I did under the same circumstances a few years ago. The insurance company were quite happy about it. (Equity Red Star, IIRC).
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