Car Park Scrape

[bad company]

I’m sure this has been done zillions of times before but:-

Mrs BC got back to our TVR at Sainsburys to find a woman leaving a note on the windscreen apologising for scratching our car. I called the mobile number on the note and surprise surprise her phone rang (yes I know I’m a cynical bugger).

The damage doesn’t seem too bad so I’ll get a quote from a scratch repair company. It wont polish out but should paint ok.

Should I inform my insurance company when they open next week? I know strictly speaking I definitely should but not sure if I need to bother this time.

[kiethton]

I’d just let her cover the bill - not worth reporting it

[Cyberprog]

Strictly speaking yes - because as far as the insurance companies are concerned that makes you more likely to have a further incident!

I know, i don't know how they justify that either.

[Bigends]

Once you report it, youll need to declare it on each renewal for the next 3 / 5 years

[bad company]

Bigends said:

Once you report it, youll need to declare it on each renewal for the next 3 / 5 years

Yes, that’s what I thought. I’m not sure I’d bother with a claim even if I weren’t able to recover the cost. I’ve contacted chipsaway, hopefully it won’t be too bad.

The car is on a classic agreed value policy so there’s no NCB to lose. Trouble is I’d probably also need to declare it on the other car’s policy renewal.

[syl]

It depends what, exactly, is asked of you at renewal.

Have you had a claim? No
Have you had an accident? No
Have you been involved in an accident? No (you weren't there)

Has your car been involved in an accident? Yes

[Chris32345]

syl said:

It depends what, exactly, is asked of you at renewal.

Have you had a claim? No
Have you had an accident? No
Have you been involved in an accident? No (you weren't there)

Has your car been involved in an accident? Yes

It still a claim that needs to be declared even if it been from the other party's insurance

[CanAm]

Cyberprog said:

Strictly speaking yes - because as far as the insurance companies are concerned that makes you more likely to have a further incident!

I know, i don't know how they justify that either.

Perfectly true. After 20-odd claim free years, I had a non-fault claim. Lo and behold, 4 years later I had another!

Of course neither of them cost my insurers a penny, nor any work other than noting it in their computer records. So how do they justify loading my premium?

[syl]

Chris32345 said:

It still a claim that needs to be declared even if it been from the other party's insurance

It's only a claim if he claims. He's talking about not claiming.

[vonhosen]

syl said:

Chris32345 said:

It still a claim that needs to be declared even if it been from the other party's insurance

It's only a claim if he claims. He's talking about not claiming.

Most policies contain wording such that your obligations within the contract during the period of cover include:-

You must tell us about any accident, injury, loss or damage as soon as possible

[vonhosen]

CanAm said:

Cyberprog said:

Strictly speaking yes - because as far as the insurance companies are concerned that makes you more likely to have a further incident!

I know, i don't know how they justify that either.

Perfectly true. After 20-odd claim free years, I had a non-fault claim. Lo and behold, 4 years later I had another!

Of course neither of them cost my insurers a penny, nor any work other than noting it in their computer records. So how do they justify loading my premium?

Because their data shows that those that had a non fault accident/claim this year are more likely to make a claim next year than those who didn't have any accident/claim this year.

You therefore statistically presented a greater risk the following year than if you hadn't had a non fault accident/claim this year.

[popeyewhite]

syl said:

Chris32345 said:

It still a claim that needs to be declared even if it been from the other party's insurance

It's only a claim if he claims. He's talking about not claiming.

If he doesn't claim but informs his insurers of the accident it will be listed as an incident and affect premiums similarly.

[CanAm]

vonhosen said:

Because their data shows that those that had a non fault accident/claim this year are more likely to make a claim next year than those who didn't have any accident/claim this year.

Of course there's lies, damned lies and statistics.

I'm just interested in that aspect of probability that allegedly caused me to be in a 3 car shunt whilst stationary on the M25 and for the car behind to be pushed into me by the young lady too busy on her mobile phone to notice the cars in front of her.

Being a defensive driver I left sufficient gap to the car in front and so only suffered rear-end damage.

[popeyewhite]

vonhosen said:

Because their data shows that can be manipulated to show that those that had a non fault accident/claim this year are more likely to make a claim next year than those who didn't have any accident/claim this year.

[bad company]

vonhosen said:

Because their data shows that those that had a non fault accident/claim this year are more likely to make a claim next year than those who didn't have any accident/claim this year.

You therefore statistically presented a greater risk the following year than if you hadn't had a non fault accident/claim this year.

That’s what the insurance companies say. Do you really believe them?

Anyway back to the topic I have a handwritten note, admission at the scene and a text trail admitting fault so I don’t see a problem there. My only worry is that she was driving a real shed and if not insurance I wonder if she has the money to pay for the damage.

I’ll see if I can get a quote from my local garage in the morning and scratchaway when they come and see from there.

[Paynewright]

Looks to me like something fell off the shelf in your garage and hit the car ;-)

[bad company]

Paynewright said:

Looks to me like something fell off the shelf in your garage and hit the car ;-)

Does this look better?

[Alucidnation]

vonhosen said:

Because their data shows that those that had a non fault accident/claim this year are more likely to make a claim next year than those who didn't have any accident/claim this year.

You therefore statistically presented a greater risk the following year than if you hadn't had a non fault accident/claim this year.

What a load of fking cobblers.




(Not you btw.)

[Sheepshanks]

bad company said:

Does this look better?

I think you might be unpleasantly surprised by how much that'll cost to repair properly.

[rscott]

popeyewhite said:

syl said:

Chris32345 said:

It still a claim that needs to be declared even if it been from the other party's insurance

It's only a claim if he claims. He's talking about not claiming.

If he doesn't claim but informs his insurers of the accident it will be listed as an incident and affect premiums similarly.

Or may not affect them at all. My Mx5 got reversed into by a neighbour - Discovery towbar made a lovely dent. She admitted responsibility and it was dealt with by Mazda Assist.
4 weeks in an assortment of hire cars (320D, Auris, Focus) and a £3k repair bill later... zero impact whatsoever on my renewal costs.