Should I pay insurance excess for my motor?

spox

On the day snow fell in London my car was hit at night by a driver who then escaped without stopping or making an effort to contact me.The bang was huge and it woke us in our sleep.My neighbours saw a white jeep but failed to get the registration and so my car was damaged and the insurance will repair it but they are saying I should pay the excess since there is no one to claim from so they regard me to be at fault.I reported the accident to the Police and they said they will investigate.My contention is that why should I be considered at fault in order for me to pay the excess.I would have happily paid the excess if I was at fault but at this instance I was not and thought since I have full comp the insurance co.should cover the whole cost.I s there no way the insurance Co. should pay?

motorguy

spox wrote: »

On the day snow fell in London my car was hit at night by a driver who then escaped without stopping or making an effort to contact me.The bang was huge and it woke us in our sleep.My neighbours saw a white jeep but failed to get the registration and so my car was damaged and the insurance will repair it but they are saying I should pay the excess since there is no one to claim from so they regard me to be at fault.I reported the accident to the Police and they said they will investigate.My contention is that why should I be considered at fault in order for me to pay the excess.I would have happily paid the excess if I was at fault but at this instance I was not and thought since I have full comp the insurance co.should cover the whole cost.I s there no way the insurance Co. should pay?

I dont think its because they consider you 'at fault'. Its that there is an excess on the insurance policy, to be paid if you make a claim and you are making a claim.

This would have been made clear to you when you took out the policy.

Jakg

If they can't recover the excess, it's only fair you should have to pay - otherwise everyone who crashed by their own stupidity would claim another mysterious driver hit them and get out of it.

robredz

The excess is part of the T&C's of your insurance, you agree to pay this as part of any claim, if you could trace the other driver you would go after them for the excess, along with the blame. If you don't pay, you won't get your car repaired, or if it's gone in, won't get it back until you pay.

justcat

You will usually pay the excess in any instance and then if it is the fault of another driver, you would reclaim the excess from them through their insurance. It's annoying but the only way to claim excess is through the third party's insurance.
Saying that, you probably wont technically be to blame. They put it down as unknown third party fault as far as I remember. It's not your fault but to be honest, your insurance will probably go up the same as if it was.

gsmmad

you pay access on any basis and if the insurance can recover costs then you will get your access back and the ncb back...i think in most cases however if its 100% no fault, cost can be recovered then i doubt access is taken...

Although you are not in fault, there is no TP details to claim from...so you will incour the costs of access and a claim against your name....

wobbley

Not only will you have to pay the excess, but it will go down as a 'fault' accident against you when you insure for the next 3 to 5 years - bumping up your premium. We have this with wife being a named driver on my policy.
One accident 4y ago her fault.
Another accident same month. Hit by driver that was being chased by police. Plod denied this though, they call 3 police cars with lights and sirens going, AND a helicopter "following" (!!!) Despite a 3 hour 'follow' they lost him ! - so no one to claim off - result = wifes fault.......
One accident last month. Other driver has admitted liability. Their insurance has paid for our car fixing but as wife was injured it has not been finalised. So as it's still 'pending' it has to be treated as an 'at fault'
With 3 'fault' accidents currently against her - only one was actually her fault.
I sometimes think the insurance companies should wear a mask when they take the premium off you, so your in no doubt that you're being robbed!