Had a minor car park ding. What to do now

[anonymous-user]

Hey Everyone,

Need a bit of help for this unfortunate situation. Leaving a car park today I managed to reverse into another car. It was in my blind spot when I checked.

We exchanged info and took pics. They said they have no intention of claiming as there is not damage to their car. Very nice of them but just to cover myself I think I need to let my insurance company know. We all know the horror stories that can occur.

So the questions I have: If (When) I tell the insurance company and no-one claims, where does that leave my NCB ?

I am pretty sure its all on me but they were cutting through a gap between cars to get to the exit, if you see what I mean. Do I need to do anything other than let the insurance company know ?

[ElectricPics]

If there's absolutely no damage to their car then how would they be able to make any claim in the future? I'd be remaining silent.

[chr15b]

If there is no claim, there is no impact to ncb

[anonymous-user]

Thank you both. Valid points. However, physical and emotional distress often features

[wack]

If you contact your insurance and tell them about it you'll have to declare it for the next 5 years every time you fill out an application

[Pica-Pica]

ChocyLint1 said:

It was in my blind spot when I checked

An oxymoron, if ever I heard one.

[Skellum]

Just to be clear, you're planning to tell your insurers that you haven't damaged any other car, and there won't be any claim for the damage you didn't do?

[scottydoesntknow]

There is no damage, so nothing to tell them. Keep quiet. If your insurers do contact you about it tell them the truth. You touched bumpers but no damage and other party said there would be no further action.

[Retroman]

A difficult one.

If you tell your insurance company, they sometimes will contact the other driver and invite them to claim so that they can get the matter deal early rather than risk it coming back to them in the future with higher costs (hire car for non existent damage / whip lash etc)
Even if they don't they will sometimes treat it as a fault claim and keep it open as that for 6 months or sometimes longer, in case the other party does decide to claim. During renewal you then have to pay the increased premium as if you were fully at fault. You can sometimes get a refund on this, in the event no claim is ever made

If you don't tell your insurance company they might cancel your insurance due to non disclosure, should a claim arise or they find out

[anonymous-user]

I would like to think people are true to their word but in this modern time you never know.

I think based on the fact they said they wouldnt claim as there was no damage, I shall just sit on it. If they do claim, we all agreed no damage (Well from their perspective!) My car will need a new bumper.

Is there a limit on length of time before the claim can be said to be null ? Reason I ask this is my Mrs had a similar issue and the other party claimed after 2 years and 11 months!

[joropug]

If you tell them you'll pay for it regardless if the claim cost is zero. Next 5 years and potentially partners policy too etc.

You won't be denied cover because you didn't declare it within 24hrs etc. It just won't happen the circumstances are that there is no damage and therefore no claim.

Crack a beer and relax

[the tribester]

'They said they wouldn't claim because there is no damage'
Was there any damage?
If not, what would they claim for?

If there were no injuries, and no damage, what would you be reporting to your insurance company?

I say you have nothing to report, so don't report it.

[Sir Bagalot]

chr15b said:

If there is no claim, there is no impact to ncb

Correct. There is however an impact on future premiums.

[Beggarall]

We have encountered a similar situation within our family. My daughter was rear-ended very gently in a traffic queue. There was no damage to her car and the other driver said he would attend to the minor damage on his. This was then forgotten about until renewal 2 years later when it is learned that the "other " driver had reported to his insurance company and my daughter's insurer were looking to increase her premium by about 20%. On questioning them they said it was because there was an increased risk of her having a future accident and when probed further about the source of this statistic they said it was "business sensitive" information that could not be disclosed. So much for transparency! For the OP should he decide to report it there may be hidden consequences - probably best to stay quiet.

[Carlson W6]

Just don’t.....