Insurance

[Rob K]

Hi, I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this- but I've got a problem.

I am currently in Melbourne, but I have a 2000x Corsa based in Northampton. I let my 17 year old brother take the car over and drive it while I am away.

However, within a month "Someone had bashed into him". Unfortunately I am with Direct Ripoff, which means the claim is still pending and we have no idea who is going to have to take the blame!

During this time my family has received a quote for insurance. I have 3 yrs no claims and paid approx 600 quid last year (far too much). The quote they received was for 1400 quid!!!!!

Apparently, because he had an accident and I am the "owner" of the policy (he is named driver) my no claims bonus is revoked. Is this true.. even though I was out of the country and wasn't driving??

Does anybody have any advice or options I can look to take?

As things stand, I am very tempted just to sell the car when I get back if the no claims are revoked. It is ridiculous when you consider over here kids are driving Skylines and V8s for about $100 insurance.

I would be greatful to hear any ideas and suggestions people have.
Cheers guys.

Edited by Rob K on Monday 21st January 02:57

[Mattt]

Yes, your policy has been (temporarily) claimed on - so you lose the NCB. Otherwise named drivers could go crashing into everyone!

[vincenz]

Is he a named driver on your policy?
If he has a bump on your policy then yeah its your claim. Its the downside of putting him on your insurance to save money.

[Rob K]

Yeah he is the named driver

So if I go to another insurance company, would I not be able to say that I had 3 years no claims then?

This is all speculation as the insurance companies have not sorted out who is responsible yet!

If he pays the repairs himself seperately does the car still have no-claims?

Thanks for the help guys... though I was hoping I was right

[jondude]

Rob K said:

Yeah he is the named driver

So if I go to another insurance company, would I not be able to say that I had 3 years no claims then?

This is all speculation as the insurance companies have not sorted out who is responsible yet!

If he pays the repairs himself seperately does the car still have no-claims?

Thanks for the help guys... though I was hoping I was right

It's a closed shop. What you are saying makes sense, but that would cost the insurers money. What they will do is issue you with proof of ncb, and it will be reduced accordingly. They don't care who claimed on the policy, just whose name it is in.

HOWEVER....if your insurers can get the money back, that is the accident was not the fault of the 17 year old and they have all details of the other chap, then then ncb is not lost, it is suspended until they are re-imbursed. Then you get your full ncb again.

Also, if you want to, you can indeed pay all costs yourself and the ncb will stay intact. Again though, insurers like having you over a barrel here. They may refuse to do so, especially if they are 'worried the other party may have a claim on the way'. Secondly, they will still hold it against you and keep details on file forever - so change insurers and cross the box ' have never had a claim made ' at your absolute peril.

This will be cheaper though, than losing your ncb. You will need to offer this to the insurers.....but beware.

They may well have been stitched up already by the garage. A simple dent you and I pay 100 quid for can easily be put to insurers as a new door, new respray - the works. Suddenly over a grand to repair. The insurers don't mind to a point...they just send the bill to you and I at renewal.

So be quick, real quick if you want to go this way.

[paoloh]

You normally lose 2 years for a claim.

[tribbles]

I had a renewal shortly after I was hit from behind (by a stationary car who had themselves just been hit by a van who hadn't noticed we'd stopped).

Since the claim hadn't been processed, I could've still been at fault, so I got a higher premium. However, when it was all sorted out, I got a refund on it.