Car Insurance Claim... cancel?

psychopathbabble

Last week a guy backed into my car and damaged the wheel arch. I decided I wanted to get it fixed and the guy contacted his insurance company. My car is now booked to be repaired on 14th October.
For various reasons, I've now decided I don't wish to pursue the repair and am happy to leave it. Is it possible for me to just ring the insurance company and cancel the repairs?

Quentin

Yes.

But cancelling your claim doesn't mean the incident will be wiped from the records!

(Even though you don't want the claim to continue, you will still need to declare the incident to your own insurer, and when getting quotes from other insurers at renewal in the future.)

psychopathbabble

I asked my insurers if it would affect me, as I didn't know whether I was meant to ring them and they said no.
Surely it shouldn't affect my no-claims and history? It wasn't anything to do with me as my car was parked on the road outside a shop!
I just have my reasons for not wanting to go through with it, nothing dodgy honest

Quentin

It won't affect your no claims discount (assuming you haven't made a claim on your own insurance - if you have, then you may have to reimburse your insurer for any costs incurred so far to retain your NCD).

But you are bound to report the incident (it seems you already have) and it will be marked down on your history.

Whether or not it will affect future premiums is really immaterial as far as declaring the incident - it is a condition of your policy that you inform insurers of all incidents even if no claim ensues.