Insurance rise following a non-fault accident

[B4M]

I have tried searching for answers to this, as well as contacting a few solicitors for third-party related claims, none have yielded any useful information as to whether it is possible.
Google mainly returns lots of ads, which are not particularly useful. So I thought I'd try on here, as I'm sure someone else will have been in this predicament before...

Last month, I was in a hire car for a work trip, when the car I was in was rear-ended in a traffic queue forming. The other driver admitted full liability and the hire company have submitted their claim for the damage repair. It's considered 'settled' for the sum of ~£520 to the hire company.
My query relates to the rise in my own personal insurance, due to declaring the non-fault claim. My renewal is due later this month and all of the quotes are showing an average rise of £120-150 once the claim is added.

Does anyone know:
1) Is it possible to pursue the third-party's insurance for my increased premiums over the next 5 years? Her insurance have already said 'No'
2) If the above is possible, any recommended companies?

I look forward to any input.

Thanks

Edited by B4M on Wednesday 15th January 15:15

[B4M]

BertBert said:

martinbiz said:

Vote with your feet if they won’t budge, go somewhere else, you may well find something cheaper than even before the accident.

I think he has tried that...

B4M said:

My renewal is due later this month and all of the quotes are showing an average rise of £120-150 once the claim is added.

And to the question, there was a poster on here fairly recently who I think said they had succeeded in this where all others said it wasn't possible. That's not very helpful, but might prompt someone who has a better memory than me.
Bert

Yes, I have tried many quotes. It's not much of a rise from the current year.
The issue is, my premium would have decreased from ~£500 to £400 without the claim. Now, most renewal quotes are mid £500 once edited to include the claim

Bert, your mention of someone being successful is the main reason for me posting. I recall an article a few years ago about, but I cannot find it now.

Edited by B4M on Wednesday 15th January 15:20

[B4M]

KungFuPanda said:

I doubt you'll find any firms to take this on. Try speaking to your legal expenses insurer if you have one. Failing that, you're on your own. Nobody will take it on as the level of damages is too low.

Just put a bullst claim in the personal injury to make up for the increased premiums if you feel that strongly about it.

I will try the legal expenses on my current insurance, thanks.
The last suggestion is not something I, in good conscience, would do.

[B4M]

Armitage.Shanks said:

Aty the end of the day the insurer is seeing you as a 'risk' even though it wasn't your fault. Any opportunity to get more money out of you they will.

They soon caught on to the 'Speed Awareness Course' declaration. Although if you didn't disclose you'd been one do they have access to records to counter it?

Yes, it's an annoying stat. I've had one accident (at fault) in 2004, and no incidents since.
It's a shame that they can increase based on this, as through no fault of my own I am now paying extra.

[B4M]

So said:

Out of interest, has anyone heard of an insurer using a pothole damage claim to increase a premium?

I ask because we reported a damaged tyre due to a pothole yesterday and the council asked for our insurance details.

I've got a pothole claim ongoing at the moment. I interpreted the request for MOT, proof of ownership and insurance as a means for verifying the roadworthiness of your vehicle.

[B4M]

Thank you for all of the replies, it's been an interesting read.

I had always suspected the insurance statistics would produce a value showing repeat occurrences would occur following a non-fault.
From a personal view, it's a shame many (not all) companies see it that way. As I do not feel it's impacted my style of driving, in terms of changing how I behave in queues, I've always been conscious of leaving plenty of room for braking for traffic (just a shame the 3rd part didn't!).

For completeness of this topic, someone suggested the legal cover on my own insurance. As I expected, having confirmed with them, they only provide that if the incident occurred whilst in the vehicle insured on the poilcy.

I guess, naively, I thought the hire companie's legal team would have been able to pursue it for me. C'est la vie.

For some good news:
My current insurers are a broker and have spoken with the underwriter, who have agreed not to load the premium for the renewal. Taking into account the situation described, the value of the claim (which was not on my policy) and my up-to-now clean driving history over the last 5 years.
It has decreased compared to the soon-to-expire policy. Though, due to other companies loading for the non fault, it has ruled them out on price. Which might not have been the case if this accident had not occurred.

I will say, I am glad this did not occur when I was younger (currently 34). As I feel this could have easily made certain cars I've insured rather expensive!

[B4M]

V8fan said:

Most comparison websites ask about claims / accidents in the last 5 years because most companies ask the same. But some specific companies only ask about the last 3 years, Direct Line for example.

Just shop around, and don't leave it until too close to the renewal date. I've recently changed insurance companies and was able to give 3 weeks notice of cover starting; the premium was 20% less than if I wanted it to start 'tomorrow.'

The OP said a claim in 2004 affected his premium. I very much doubt it.

I was not implying the 2004 incident had any impact on my renewal. It was more to highlight that I have not dealt with a motoring insurance claim since then.

Cheers

[B4M]

ninepoint2 said:

adam quantrill said:

There you have it then. You have not made any claim. The hire company have made the claim.

Seems like you are adding someone else's claim to your quote?

Seems to be the answer, you have not made any claims

This has already been covered. The question asked is about accidents as well, which is what I have been involved in.

Thanks