Checking an Insurance Claim
Discussion
One year ago I unfortunately had an accident with a cyclist. Slightly touched his back wheel as I didn’t see him on a large roundabout. Obviously my fault, but it didn’t hel p he was wearing very dark clothes, on a dark wet day with no lights. Result was me ever so slightly touching his back wheel, but due to the wet roads it was enough for him to come off
Anyway, he was absolutely fine and after a little swearing (can’t blame him) we started chatting, We checked his bike over and there was no damage whatsoever, no buckled wheel, no scratches, nothing. I also drive a white car and again not a single mark on it.
Anyway, five minutes later he rang his wife and surprisingly I heard her shouting at him over the phone. Then funny old thing it went from a completely normal situation of two blokes chatting to him complaining of pain in his shoulder, elbow, hip whilst looking suitably embarrassed. Two minutes earlier he had whipped his Cagoule off by lifting it above his head so he could check his elbow, which also showed no marks whatsoever. I then rang the police to inform them of the accident and made a point of informing them there were no injuries or damage, whilst looking him straight in the eye. Not once did he try and intervene he just lowered his head. So we then put his bike in the back of my car and I drove him home.
On arriving at his house his Wife came charging out, but instead of checking her husband was okay she came straight towards me shouting at the top of her voice whilst he stood meekly by the side of the road. So I totally ignored her (to her distaste) and closed the tailgate and drove off with her still gesturing in my rear view mirror. Later that day a call back from the police saying no further action, as well as a call from my insurance company to make me aware a lady had contacted them reference a personal injury claim. Obviously this came as no surprise.
So eventually my question
. I’d really like to know if it’s possible to find out how much they were paid out? I know it will make me mad, as it has just recollecting the whole episode but still intrigued to find out and before anyone mentions “why have you not rang them” I did a few months back, but gave up after waiting for bloody ages. So I don’t want to waste my time again if the answer is “no you can’t find out” I’m also about to change insurer (next week) and will obviously mention this as an “at fault claim”
Anyway, he was absolutely fine and after a little swearing (can’t blame him) we started chatting, We checked his bike over and there was no damage whatsoever, no buckled wheel, no scratches, nothing. I also drive a white car and again not a single mark on it.Anyway, five minutes later he rang his wife and surprisingly I heard her shouting at him over the phone. Then funny old thing it went from a completely normal situation of two blokes chatting to him complaining of pain in his shoulder, elbow, hip whilst looking suitably embarrassed. Two minutes earlier he had whipped his Cagoule off by lifting it above his head so he could check his elbow, which also showed no marks whatsoever. I then rang the police to inform them of the accident and made a point of informing them there were no injuries or damage, whilst looking him straight in the eye. Not once did he try and intervene he just lowered his head. So we then put his bike in the back of my car and I drove him home.
On arriving at his house his Wife came charging out, but instead of checking her husband was okay she came straight towards me shouting at the top of her voice whilst he stood meekly by the side of the road. So I totally ignored her (to her distaste) and closed the tailgate and drove off with her still gesturing in my rear view mirror. Later that day a call back from the police saying no further action, as well as a call from my insurance company to make me aware a lady had contacted them reference a personal injury claim. Obviously this came as no surprise.
So eventually my question
. I’d really like to know if it’s possible to find out how much they were paid out? I know it will make me mad, as it has just recollecting the whole episode but still intrigued to find out and before anyone mentions “why have you not rang them” I did a few months back, but gave up after waiting for bloody ages. So I don’t want to waste my time again if the answer is “no you can’t find out” I’m also about to change insurer (next week) and will obviously mention this as an “at fault claim” Sounds like you dont even know if they have claimed ? Has your insurance company asked you to fill in the claim forms and youve given your take on the accident? Ive never known an insurance company to just pay out with consulting the policy holder?
Im not sure they would tell you though? Its your policy so i think you have a right to know as it will be a claim against your insurance. When you renew they ask the amount if known?
Im not sure they would tell you though? Its your policy so i think you have a right to know as it will be a claim against your insurance. When you renew they ask the amount if known?
Edited by tedblog on Wednesday 26th February 07:25
My insurance company, Aviva, told me recently the amount they paid out for a third party claim when I asked them. Can't see any reason why an insurance company wouldn't tell you.
I used live chat instead of phone as it was more convenient. Maybe worth checking if your company has that available.
I used live chat instead of phone as it was more convenient. Maybe worth checking if your company has that available.
tedblog said:
Sounds like you dont even know if they have claimed ? Has your insurance company asked you to fill in the claim forms and youve given your take on the accident? Ive never known an insurance company to just pay out with consulting the policy holder?
Im not sure they would tell you though? Its your policy so i think you have a right to know as it will be a claim against your insurance. When you renew they ask the amount if known?
I had an at fault accident several years ago - similar in a way to the OP actually, clipped the back of a motorbike, but the rider didn't fall off (in fact, I'd argue that the bike clipped me as they pulled in, but when car hits bike even my own insurer assumed it was my fault).Im not sure they would tell you though? Its your policy so i think you have a right to know as it will be a claim against your insurance. When you renew they ask the amount if known?
Edited by tedblog on Wednesday 26th February 07:25
We checked the bike over - and I took photos - no damage. The rider wanted an ambulance, because they claimed damage to their ankle (possible, as that's probably where they clipped the car).
A week or so later, I got a notification from the insurer saying that some claim management firm was claiming for a replacement vehicle. I told them there was absolutely no damage to the bike and sent them the photos - I was told a few days later the claim had been withdrawn.
But some time after that, I got a multi-page document about her claim. I think there was some clothing in there which she claimed was damaged - but despite pages of questions about her injuries, where she'd been honest (Did the hospital find anything wrong? No. Did you have any lasting damage? No. Did you take additional time off work? No - etc.) - she claimed for mental distress - apparently, she was now scared about leaving the house.........
No idea what they paid out though.
mouseymousey said:
My insurance company, Aviva, told me recently the amount they paid out for a third party claim when I asked them. Can't see any reason why an insurance company wouldn't tell you.
I used live chat instead of phone as it was more convenient. Maybe worth checking if your company has that available.
Didn’t realise this facility was available on my Avila app. Anyhow after messing around for 15 mins trying to change my PIN number (wouldn’t accept the old one) I eventually got into the app. Noticed under claims there’s an open one in there from 22 Jan19 and a facility to “ask the team”. Great, or so I thought... pressed it and 15 to20 mins later and 5 or 6 messages saying their busy I had to shut it down as I have to go out.I used live chat instead of phone as it was more convenient. Maybe worth checking if your company has that available.
Edited to say, thanks for info should be able to find out... if I ever get through
Edited by tony wright on Wednesday 26th February 10:48
Bare in mind that it's often the morning after an accident that you feel the injuries.
Came off my MTB a few years back after slipping on a tree route, had the wind knocked out of but was fine on the ride back and that evening but the next day I woke up and couldn't even get out of bed, went to hospital a couple of days later and it turns out I'd cracked two ribs.
Came off my MTB a few years back after slipping on a tree route, had the wind knocked out of but was fine on the ride back and that evening but the next day I woke up and couldn't even get out of bed, went to hospital a couple of days later and it turns out I'd cracked two ribs.
tony wright said:
Didn’t realise this facility was available on my Avila app. Anyhow after messing around for 15 mins trying to change my PIN number (wouldn’t accept the old one) I eventually got into the app. Noticed under claims there’s an open one in there from 22 Jan19 and a facility to “ask the team”. Great, or so I thought... pressed it and 15 to20 mins later and 5 or 6 messages saying their busy I had to shut it down as I have to go out.
Edited to say, thanks for info should be able to find out... if I ever get through
I used to deal with Aviva on the commercial side, and you could be on hold for ages waiting for a reponse. However, I found out that if you pressed the #key you would go straight through to a random extension. "Oh I'm sorry, I asked for Private Car Claims, could you transfer me please?" Edited to say, thanks for info should be able to find out... if I ever get through
Edited by tony wright on Wednesday 26th February 10:48
Boosted LS1 said:
OP, if you call the insurers to ask about a possible claim won't you also be informing them about an accident. They wouldn't know about that if a claim hadn't been made. It would be unfortunate to see your premiums rise.
The OP has already said that his insurers have an o/s claim on the system from January 2019. 
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