Car Insurance Help

Kaz2008

On 22/12/10 a guy rang into my car at Tesco car park. I was parked in a space (not moving obviously) and the guy was trying to get in the space at side of me and went straight into my car.

He admitted liability to his insurers and I got my car fixed without having to pay my excess.

When I rang Tesco car insurance to make my claim after the accident they said that even though the accident was not my fault my renewal (Due Jan 2011) would reflect that it was my fault and I would pay a higher premium until the claim was settled and then my insurance premium would go down.


My problem is that my renewal was due at the beginning of January and I received a renewal price of £950 (received between xmas and new year) which I was happy with. This was obviously sent out before I made the claim. They then sent me a new renewal out of £1500 which is obviously what I would be paying if the accident was my fault. I have now been paying £141 a month since January for my car insurance which I understand is because the claim is not settled yet. But how long do these things take?

I rang Tesco insurance yesterday and they said that they had the claim down as not being my fault but the funds hadnt yet been transferred from the other insurer so I have to carry on paying the higher premiums until it was.

I am getting really fed up with this now, the accident wasnt my fault and I am paying a lot more than I should for my car insurance.

Can anyone offer advice or am I just going to have to grin and bear it until it's sorted?

Thanks

Quentin

Kaz2008 wrote: »

Can anyone offer advice or am I just going to have to grin and bear it until it's sorted?

Yes - up to a point. But keep nudging them to make sure your file isn't a the bottom of the pile!

Next time you are involved in an incident like this when liability isn't disputed, claim directly off the third party, and avoid all this.

gregd_3

That's a bummer. When i used to work in motor claims many years ago an admission of liability in writing from the other insurer was enough for them to look upon it as a non fault claim and reinstate the NCD.

Who is the other Insurer??? Do you know if your insurer has sent of details of their outlays to them?? The hold up could be with your Insurer, or it could be a combination of factors.

Kaz2008

Ok thanks. I keep ringing them every 2-3 weeks to see if there is any progress. This was my 1st accident (I have only been driving 2 years) and I just panicked and rang Tesco as soon as I got home. The lady I spoke to Tesco yesterday said I did the right thing going through them as if I hadn't my insurance could be void as I hadn't informed them of the damage. I have no idea whether this is correct or not.

Kaz2008

gregd wrote: »

That's a bummer. When i used to work in motor claims many years ago an admission of liability in writing from the other insurer was enough for them to look upon it as a non fault claim and reinstate the NCD.

Who is the other Insurer??? Do you know if your insurer has sent of details of their outlays to them?? The hold up could be with your Insurer, or it could be a combination of factors.

I think its NIG???? They called something like that anyway. The guy who hit me told me that Budget was his insurer but when I got home my husband said they are just a broker that's why I panicked and rang Tesco.

I am not sure what stage the claim is at the lady at Tesco yesterday just said they were waiting for funds to be transferred.

I suppose the light at the end of the tunnel is my premiums should be quite a bit less when all this is settled!

Kaz2008

Another annoying thing is that Tesco said that this NIG company are part of the Tesco group so I had hoped it would be sorted quicker.

gregd_3

Yes, NIG are an insurance co.

They fall under the RBS umberella.

Quentin

Kaz2008 wrote: »

The lady I spoke to Tesco yesterday said I did the right thing going through them as if I hadn't my insurance could be void as I hadn't informed them of the damage. I have no idea whether this is correct or not.

She is correct in telling you you need to inform them of the incident. (That's all you have to do)

You don't need to use your own insurer to claim off when there is a liable third party.

And claiming direct off the third party cuts out all the hassle you are now experiencing (waiting to get your NCD reinstated/excess back/increased premiums/chasing up uninsured losses etc).

Kaz2008

Thanks for the advice. I won't make the same mistake twice if I am unlucky enough for it to happen to me again!

gregd_3

Sometimes claiming directly off the third party though isn't the best option as they need to wait for their insured to file a report of the accident and admit liability meantime, you can be stuck with a car off the road and no transport whereas if you went through your own insurance they can start repairs and usually provide a courtesy car through a recommended repairer so there are pro's and con's to each way.

Quentin

When involved in an incident as an innocent third party, the pros of claiming direct from the third party far outweigh any cons - and unless you have comprehensive cover, then its the only way you can do it - your own insurer won't help!

You can use a claim handler to look after your interests.

You don't need to be without transport at all - a decent claim handler will arrange a hire car at the third party's expense.

And no need to use a "recommended" repairer, as you can use your own choice of repairer when dealing with the third party directly..