Insurance company being shady over non-fault claim?
Discussion
I ended up with the back of my car annihilated while sat in traffic due to the car behind me being rear ended and my insurance company are causing me nothing but hassle even though they've already told me liability has been settled.
I had to send some photos of the damage to their engineer to start the repairs process but now my insurance are telling me that after reviewing the photos of the damage they suspect my wind deflectors aren't declared (didn't even know they were classed as a modification) and they suspect my vehicle is lowered (I can fit my fist in the arch gap so I have no idea what they're talking about.) This is really frustrating because I insured my alloy wheels which are the only modifications I knew about.
Can someone explain why my insurance company is trying to scrutinize me about undeclared modifications I have no knowledge of when I've done nothing wrong, The 3rd party has been confirmed at fault and this claim has nothing to do with my policy?
I've been recommended to sack my insurance claim off and claim through a claims management company instead so I wont get all this extra hassle?
I had to send some photos of the damage to their engineer to start the repairs process but now my insurance are telling me that after reviewing the photos of the damage they suspect my wind deflectors aren't declared (didn't even know they were classed as a modification) and they suspect my vehicle is lowered (I can fit my fist in the arch gap so I have no idea what they're talking about.) This is really frustrating because I insured my alloy wheels which are the only modifications I knew about.
Can someone explain why my insurance company is trying to scrutinize me about undeclared modifications I have no knowledge of when I've done nothing wrong, The 3rd party has been confirmed at fault and this claim has nothing to do with my policy?
I've been recommended to sack my insurance claim off and claim through a claims management company instead so I wont get all this extra hassle?
Edited by Joemile on Sunday 2nd October 16:07
How many cars come as standard with wind deflectors?
And your insurers aren't being shady, if your car is lowered, and has other after party mods on it, then they could potentially void your policy from inception if they wouldn't have insured the mods.
If liability has been settled, then just go direct to the other drivers insurers, and wait to see if your insurers will continue to insure you (possibly with a price increase) or void your policy.
And your insurers aren't being shady, if your car is lowered, and has other after party mods on it, then they could potentially void your policy from inception if they wouldn't have insured the mods.
If liability has been settled, then just go direct to the other drivers insurers, and wait to see if your insurers will continue to insure you (possibly with a price increase) or void your policy.
I suppose they’ve seen some non standard signs and are flying a kite in the hope that the car has some more undeclared.
The first thing I’d do is understand the facts. What mods are on the car. Eg has it been lowered?
Nevertheless, you were unaware of any undeclared mods when you insured the car in good faith. And in any case I can’t see how any mods could affect a stationary rear-end.
But I’m no expert. You are probably going to need professional help to fight this.
The first thing I’d do is understand the facts. What mods are on the car. Eg has it been lowered?
Nevertheless, you were unaware of any undeclared mods when you insured the car in good faith. And in any case I can’t see how any mods could affect a stationary rear-end.
But I’m no expert. You are probably going to need professional help to fight this.
Smurfsarepeopletoo said:
How many cars come as standard with wind deflectors?
And your insurers aren't being shady, if your car is lowered, and has other after party mods on it, then they could potentially void your policy from inception if they wouldn't have insured the mods.
If liability has been settled, then just go direct to the other drivers insurers, and wait to see if your insurers will continue to insure you (possibly with a price increase) or void your policy.
;And your insurers aren't being shady, if your car is lowered, and has other after party mods on it, then they could potentially void your policy from inception if they wouldn't have insured the mods.
If liability has been settled, then just go direct to the other drivers insurers, and wait to see if your insurers will continue to insure you (possibly with a price increase) or void your policy.
I understand that but how can you insure modifications you don't know about. My insurance haven't really said much more on the matter and the repair is still going through but I feel like once the vehicle goes into their "recommended" repair centre, it will be torn to sheds and ill get a right backlash.
At the end of the day I've taken out the policy to the best of my knowledge and I'm not at any fault for the accident so I'm not really sure what my insurance are going for? Why would they void my policy I've already payed for, I've not cost them any expense...
swisstoni said:
I suppose they’ve seen some non standard signs and are flying a kite in the hope that the car has some more undeclared.
The first thing I’d do is understand the facts. What mods are on the car. Eg has it been lowered?
Nevertheless, you were unaware of any undeclared mods when you insured the car in good faith. And in any case I can’t see how any mods could affect a stationary rear-end.
But I’m no expert. You are probably going to need professional help to fight this.
I think your right but how will that benefit them on a non-fault claim? possibly Trying to backdate undeclared modification charges?The first thing I’d do is understand the facts. What mods are on the car. Eg has it been lowered?
Nevertheless, you were unaware of any undeclared mods when you insured the car in good faith. And in any case I can’t see how any mods could affect a stationary rear-end.
But I’m no expert. You are probably going to need professional help to fight this.
To be honest my insurers haven't said much more on the matter and the repairs are still supposed to be going through. I'm just thinking whether to completely remove my insurer from the claim and go with a management company to stop them sticking their fingers in?
Besides my policy ends in a few days anyway and the accident has already been reported so my insurer already has their part.
Edited by Joemile on Sunday 2nd October 16:22
Your insurers will possibly only repair it to manufacturers spec if you haven't declared mods, so if it is lowered, and suspension needs replacing, then they may only fit standard springs back on the car.
If you go with the Third Party Insurers, they will probably just replace like for like.
If you go with the Third Party Insurers, they will probably just replace like for like.
Don't know what car it is and could be an option to lower from the factory. Also presuming you're not the first owner. So worth at least finding out what options there were for the specific model year by maybe tracking down an e-brochure or seeing if a dealer can help. Is possible insurer doesnt have this level of detail to hand and is therefore calling foul.
KungFuPanda said:
Cancel the claim and go straight to the at fault party to resolve then. There’s no contractual relationship between you and the insurer of the at fault party so they don’t give a toss about your modifications.
can he really cancel the claim at this point? would there be a difference if insurance company has already decided to void his policy? how would you go straight to the at fault party insurance?-CB
Smurfsarepeopletoo said:
How many cars come as standard with wind deflectors?
Define standard though? I can walk into my local Ford and buy a new car with Climair wind deflectors and an Eibach lowering spring kit dealer fitted.
I know VW also do the Eibach spring kit.
If I change the factory fitted Michelins for China specials, Do I need to declare them?
chickenbarns said:
KungFuPanda said:
Cancel the claim and go straight to the at fault party to resolve then. There’s no contractual relationship between you and the insurer of the at fault party so they don’t give a toss about your modifications.
can he really cancel the claim at this point? would there be a difference if insurance company has already decided to void his policy? how would you go straight to the at fault party insurance?-CB
Regardless, if they cancel his claim from inception (which is highly doubtful) he still has a claim against the at fault third party. Being uninsured isn’t a bar to bringing a successful claim against an at fault party.
He can either use an AMC or contact the third party insurer directly. Most have a third party capture team to deal with claims directly rather than people going to AMCs.
The claim (non-fault) and the purported modifications are not dependent on each other - if the car has been modified without disclosing to the insurer, you can expect either an additional premium or the policy to be void from inception due to failure to disclose modifications (I would guess the latter if the insurer in question doesn't typically cover modified cars (a limited market)).
However, even if the policy is void, given it's a non-fault accident you would still be due a payout from the third party insurer.
There is nothing shady - the insurer justifiably will look to validate information disclosed to them, especially if photos from an accident suggest there may be vehicle modifications. The issue if the policy is void is the difficulty in getting competitively priced insurance going forward ("have you ever been refused insurance" answering yes gives hefty premiums generally).
If the car is unmodified, you have nothing to worry over - standard validation checks that any competent insurer would undertake.
However, even if the policy is void, given it's a non-fault accident you would still be due a payout from the third party insurer.
There is nothing shady - the insurer justifiably will look to validate information disclosed to them, especially if photos from an accident suggest there may be vehicle modifications. The issue if the policy is void is the difficulty in getting competitively priced insurance going forward ("have you ever been refused insurance" answering yes gives hefty premiums generally).
If the car is unmodified, you have nothing to worry over - standard validation checks that any competent insurer would undertake.
To be fair any modifications don't have any material bearing on getting rear-ended, so the insurer seems to be looking for a way out -although I'm amazed they employ any staff who can spot anything non-standard! Not the usual script-reading quote monkeys for sure!
Claim from the insurer of the responsible party - that way you don't need to fund the excess and can choose the repairer without getting forced by your (possible) insurer to go somewhere you may not have chosen.
Mickey-Mouse insurers these days just seem to be looking for a way out. If your car was supplied with Pirelli tyres when new would fitting any other brand be a modification? Is a Kwik-fit silencer a modification? And short of getting a used car on a ramp how would you know anyway? You only have to answer questions to the best of your knowledge.
Claim from the insurer of the responsible party - that way you don't need to fund the excess and can choose the repairer without getting forced by your (possible) insurer to go somewhere you may not have chosen.
Mickey-Mouse insurers these days just seem to be looking for a way out. If your car was supplied with Pirelli tyres when new would fitting any other brand be a modification? Is a Kwik-fit silencer a modification? And short of getting a used car on a ramp how would you know anyway? You only have to answer questions to the best of your knowledge.
Mr Tidy said:
To be fair any modifications don't have any material bearing on getting rear-ended, so the insurer seems to be looking for a way out -
Why are the modifications having a material effect on the claim in any way relevant. If you were told you have a terminal illness and took out life insurance by saying you were in perfect health, would you expect them to pay out to your family if you got struck by lightning? Once they'd got your medical records and found out the truth? That's not how it works.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Mr Tidy said:
To be fair any modifications don't have any material bearing on getting rear-ended, so the insurer seems to be looking for a way out -
Why are the modifications having a material effect on the claim in any way relevant. If you were told you have a terminal illness and took out life insurance by saying you were in perfect health, would you expect them to pay out to your family if you got struck by lightning? Once they'd got your medical records and found out the truth? That's not how it works.
Wind deflectors are an accessory not a modification - It's just caused them to have a gander. If your car isn't modified it won't be a problem.
My dad had a similar conversation about removable roof bars - he caught a car park barrier with his bike so very relevant to the claim. First idiot on the phone, "Were they fitted by the manufacturer when the car was purchased?" (12 years old, no) ...... "oH sO yOuR cAr Is MoDiFiEd Is It?" - Smarmy tosser.
Quickly put in their place and there was no issue in the end.
My dad had a similar conversation about removable roof bars - he caught a car park barrier with his bike so very relevant to the claim. First idiot on the phone, "Were they fitted by the manufacturer when the car was purchased?" (12 years old, no) ...... "oH sO yOuR cAr Is MoDiFiEd Is It?" - Smarmy tosser.
Quickly put in their place and there was no issue in the end.
BlackWidow13 said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Mr Tidy said:
To be fair any modifications don't have any material bearing on getting rear-ended, so the insurer seems to be looking for a way out -
Why are the modifications having a material effect on the claim in any way relevant. If you were told you have a terminal illness and took out life insurance by saying you were in perfect health, would you expect them to pay out to your family if you got struck by lightning? Once they'd got your medical records and found out the truth? That's not how it works.
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