Insurance policy after an accident
Discussion
OK, so not sure if this is the best forum for this, but...
Got hit by a lorry on Sunday afternoon. Not too hard, but the o/s rear is going to need a respray from where it's scuffed & scratched the paint (over a fair-sized area). Not had time to check for any more fundamental bodywork damage. Got an independent witness to prove this was his fault (he just pulled across into my lane on a dual carriageway without looking).
So, the question: If I put this through on my insurance policy (which I'm wary of doing), and prove it was his fault, does anyone have any experience of whether this'll affect my premiums in the long run?
Been told (by Tesco) that I'll get my excess (£500!) back, and that it won't affect my no claims if it's proven to be his fault. Which I can believe. They also claim that noone will increase my premiums no matter how many prior accidents I've had as long as they're all "other driver at fault" claims. This is the bit I'm rather worried about!
Cheers,
-J
Got hit by a lorry on Sunday afternoon. Not too hard, but the o/s rear is going to need a respray from where it's scuffed & scratched the paint (over a fair-sized area). Not had time to check for any more fundamental bodywork damage. Got an independent witness to prove this was his fault (he just pulled across into my lane on a dual carriageway without looking).
So, the question: If I put this through on my insurance policy (which I'm wary of doing), and prove it was his fault, does anyone have any experience of whether this'll affect my premiums in the long run?
Been told (by Tesco) that I'll get my excess (£500!) back, and that it won't affect my no claims if it's proven to be his fault. Which I can believe. They also claim that noone will increase my premiums no matter how many prior accidents I've had as long as they're all "other driver at fault" claims. This is the bit I'm rather worried about!
Cheers,
-J
Well some do, and some don't. The witness here is crucial, he/she is probably the only thing stopping the other driver from denying responsibility.
If your insurer says the policy won't go up because of your claim, than in theory thats what should happen.
Anyway, try www.confused.com when its time to renew.
If your insurer says the policy won't go up because of your claim, than in theory thats what should happen.
Anyway, try www.confused.com when its time to renew.
parrot of doom said:
Well some do, and some don't. The witness here is crucial, he/she is probably the only thing stopping the other driver from denying responsibility.
If your insurer says the policy won't go up because of your claim, than in theory thats what should happen.
Anyway, try www.confused.com when its time to renew.
Cheers for that. Confused tends to give me a quote of £4k+ each time, though... all of the budget, re-branded UKI places like Tesco & Egg are best (by several thousand) for me based on age & car.
As a general rule, if you successfully recover your excess from the other party then your insurance company will keep your NCD.
Beware though, when your insurance company goes after the claim they won't always go after your uninsured losses for you (a cynical person might point out that it's in their interests not to, for the very reason stated above!).
You'd be well advised to get in touch with a solicitor and get a claim started yourself for your uninsured losses. Most will give you half an hour free anyway, so it does no harm to go and have a chat anyway.
Beware though, when your insurance company goes after the claim they won't always go after your uninsured losses for you (a cynical person might point out that it's in their interests not to, for the very reason stated above!).
You'd be well advised to get in touch with a solicitor and get a claim started yourself for your uninsured losses. Most will give you half an hour free anyway, so it does no harm to go and have a chat anyway.
I've had 2 fully recovered claims, rear-ended on the motorway and hit by an old woman in the middle of the road in an ovlov estate 
Despite both being non-fault for me and also both in company cars they do have an effect when I get insurance quotes. Insurers ask if you have had accidents, not whether your insurance had to pay out.
Some won't quote because you notify them of 2 accidents (despite them being in 110000 miles so a good average), others seem to load the cost.
Insurers, complete bastards on the whole.
Despite both being non-fault for me and also both in company cars they do have an effect when I get insurance quotes. Insurers ask if you have had accidents, not whether your insurance had to pay out.
Some won't quote because you notify them of 2 accidents (despite them being in 110000 miles so a good average), others seem to load the cost.
Insurers, complete bastards on the whole.
J_S_G said:
Cheers for that. Confused tends to give me a quote of £4k+ each time, though... all of the budget, re-branded UKI places like Tesco & Egg are best (by several thousand) for me based on age & car.
Blimey. I found that webby about a week after I sorted my current insurance out, I could have saved myself nearly 400 quid.
parrot of doom said:
Blimey. I found that webby about a week after I sorted my current insurance out, I could have saved myself nearly 400 quid.
I'm guessing you're not 25, then! The cheap UKI rebrands will regularly be best for "younger" drivers of fancy cars. (I work for a bank that happens to rebrand & resell their policies, so I know those kind of details as it's about brand and market position, etc., just not the ones around if/when/how they pay out/how it'll affect policies, and so on)
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