Do window repairs claims affect your car insurance premium?

Drives_Too_Much

Hello helpful people,

I've had my car broken into a few times recently, usually I've just got the window replaced locally and paid cash but as the last one was at a weekend away from home I got autoglass to do it. They were adamant that as my car insurance was fully comp they could pass on the cost to my insurer (I just paid the excess) and that this wouldn't affect my no claims bonus or (when I enquired further) the premium I was quoted. The no claims bit seems fair enough but I can't believe an insurer isn't going to up your quote for making a claim against your policy. If this is true then I could just get my car insurance to pay every time someone breaks into my car (4 times in last two years).

Anyone know how insurance companies view this sort of thing?

Same question for getting windscreen chips fixed I suppose. Get a couple of those per year too.

TiTheRev

Chips are covered fully by Fully Comp insurance, replacements will need the excess paying (usually £50-80), but neither effects your NCB.

harveybobbles

Chip repairs are free if you use Colin from AutoGlass (The one with the thick accent)
If you need a window replacing due to it being smashed then all you have to do is pay the windscreen excess which is usually 50plus. If it's a small side window or quater light it can sometimes work out cheaper just to get the glass direct from AutoGlass type companies.

Drives_Too_Much

But even if you don't lose your NCB,can the insurance companies still get their money back by classifying you as higher risk and upping your premium? that's what I'm getting at.

I hear they do this if you have an accident and claim on the other guys insurance as its his fault. You keep your NCB but are now seen as 'higher risk', hence get charged a higher premium.

Presumably if I get autoglass to fix my window every few months whenever some scrote breaks in, eventually (or right away?) they are going to penalise me?

vikingaero

Glass claims generally don't affect no claims. You just pay the excess. It normally doesn't matter whether it's a windscreen damaged by a stone or the side window broken by a thief. Same with any of the rear windows or glass sunroof.

Some policies also cover damaged caused to paintwork and trim caused by the breaking glass. Best to check your policy documents.

ABN

Some years back there was a watchdog program (I think) about insurance compainies NOT paying out on claims.

On case was because the chaps car had been broken into a couple of time, he didn't claim or notify the insurance company about these breakins. He had an accident and when making the claim the insurance company found out about the other none declared incidents and deemed his insurance to be void so refused to pay his claim. They say that because of the breakins he was a higher risk so his policy should have increased..

Seems that you have to report any incident whether you claim or not

Thus if you have reported the breakins to the police you may have trouble if you need to make a claim. If not make sure you never mention the previous ones to the insurance company.

mchale

Bear in mind when your renew comes through & you are ringing round for new quotes, you will have to declare that you have had a claim in the last ?yrs, nothing is for nothing!!!