Someone claimed on my policy even though it wasn't me!

Helen_J_3

Hello everyone

I got a call from my insurance company on Monday saying someone had made (or tried to make) a claim on my policy and asked whether I was aware of the incident (which I wasn't!)

Apparently my car was involved in a bump to the rear of this person's car and when they've reported the details to their insurance company my car has come up.

I certainly haven't drove into anyone and the incident happened in Durham whereas I live in Sheffield.

The man from my insurance said it may be that they took the registration of the car that did bump into them wrong or have quoted it wrong afterwards.

They say they're going to keep me updated.

What happens now? Surely it's not possible that I am going to end up losing money/paying out and they will have to either go back to the drawing board with their claim or show more proof? My insurance won't pay out simply based on this alone?

They've took details of my description etc to send back to their insurance company.

Also, my renewal is due next month which is typical because now because of this there's an open claim currently on my policy

Any help/experiences of this shared will be appreciated

adamc260

Helen_J wrote: »

The man from my insurance said it may be that they took the registration of the car that did bump into them wrong or have quoted it wrong afterwards.

Entirely possible!

Try account for where you were on the time/date of the accident and also see if you can get that backed up by someone (ie: in work or out with a friend)

If the other party insists your vehicle was involved ask your insurer to have both vehicles inspected by an independant assessor to cross check damage between vehicles.

If they find that there is no damage on your vehicle that would link in with the accident, without further independent witness evidence they won't really be able to prove you had the incident, especially not if you have an 'alibi' of where you were. Also ask your insurer to check with the third party insurer what vehicle their client says you have, details like Make/Model/Colour. Also can their client provide a description of the driver etc. Hope that helps!

Helen_J_3

adamc260 wrote: »

Entirely possible!

Try account for where you were on the time/date of the accident and also see if you can get that backed up by someone (ie: in work or out with a friend)

If the other party insists your vehicle was involved ask your insurer to have both vehicles inspected by an independant assessor to cross check damage between vehicles.

If they find that there is no damage on your vehicle that would link in with the accident, without further independent witness evidence they won't really be able to prove you had the incident, especially not if you have an 'alibi' of where you were. Hope that helps!

The day it happened was 26th Feb, I know what I was doing, it was the day after I'd had my 21st birthday party! However the only journey I made that day (I've already told my insurers this too) is from my house in Sheffield to my boyfriend's house (also in Sheffield). The only people who will be able to back this up is my boyfriend and my mum! So these wouldn't be independent witnesses?

I've no damage at all on my vehicle apart from a bit of rust

What worries me is when my insurance company (can I mention their name?) was told about the incident, why didn't they ask what car it was and then compare to mine which they have all the details for? Unless it just so happened to be the same car (a 10 year old Peugeot 106) they would have known straight away that it wasn't me or my car?

adamc260

Helen_J wrote: »

The day it happened was 26th Feb, I know what I was doing, it was the day after I'd had my 21st birthday party! However the only journey I made that day (I've already told my insurers this too) is from my house in Sheffield to my boyfriend's house (also in Sheffield). The only people who will be able to back this up is my boyfriend and my mum! So these wouldn't be independent witnesses?

I've no damage at all on my vehicle apart from a bit of rust

What worries me is when my insurance company (can I mention their name?) was told about the incident, why didn't they ask what car it was and then compare to mine which they have all the details for? Unless it just so happened to be the same car (a 10 year old Peugeot 106) they would have known straight away that it wasn't me or my car?

Your boyfriend/mum wouldnt be independent but at least they'll be able to confirm your where abouts. In relation to damage, an independent assessor will be able to check both vehicles to see if anything tallies up. The claim handler probably doesn't have a lot of information at this stage. When a third party insurer reports the claim they don't give a lot of information until outlay documents (documents highligting repair/hire costs etc) are received. A good file handler should be checking the above though, asking the third party insurer for a description and diagram of the accident along with details from their client about your vehicle and also yourself, especially if you state you've not been involved. I wouldnt worry too much, things like this happen quite often.

Helen_J_3

adamc260 wrote: »

Your boyfriend/mum wouldnt be independent but at least they'll be able to confirm your where abouts. In relation to damage, an independent assessor will be able to check both vehicles to see if anything tallies up. The claim handler probably doesn't have a lot of information at this stage. When a third party insurer reports the claim they don't give a lot of information until outlay documents (documents highligting repair/hire costs etc) are received. A good file handler should be checking the above though, asking the third party insurer for a description and diagram of the accident along with details from their client about your vehicle and also yourself, especially if you state you've not been involved. I wouldnt worry too much, things like this happen quite often.

How long will it take to sort out do you know? I'm annoyed because while it's still ongoing it's going to be as if I've not got NCB when in fact I've got 2 years which makes a massive difference for a 21 year old! I wanted a realistic renewal quote because I'm not sure whether I can afford a car this coming year but it looks like if this goes on much longer it's going to be an open claim through my renewal and only sorted out later

adamc260

Helen_J wrote: »

How long will it take to sort out do you know? I'm annoyed because while it's still ongoing it's going to be as if I've not got NCB when in fact I've got 2 years which makes a massive difference for a 21 year old! I wanted a realistic renewal quote because I'm not sure whether I can afford a car this coming year but it looks like if this goes on much longer it's going to be an open claim through my renewal and only sorted out later

It's hard to say to be honest (And I know where your coming from, I'm 22 myself!) It can take some time to get the information from their client but if they're unable to prove it was yourself and you have plenty of evidence to suggest it wasnt you (IE report, statements from your mother/boyfriend) and they're unable to provide a description of either you/your vehicle etc... should be enough to close it quite soon! Hope it gets sorted real soon for you though

alistair.long

Hi this is a tricky one because durham is not to far from sheffield. its a straight road there.
You will need to get your insurance to make sure it is your car as sometimes people make mistakes.
And then you need to sort out your aliby. This has to be something solid like being online on a certain day. e.g facebook comment or buying something online. etc... Looking at your phone records for that date normally lets you know what you were doing.

If the other party issue a claim against you which they have, you car will be examined as well as the other parties.

Claims like these go on for ever or 1 insurance pays out for the sake of it

gregd_3

Somebody "clonned" your reg no possibly??

adamc260

alistair.long wrote: »

Hi this is a tricky one because durham is not to far from sheffield. its a straight road there.

122 miles!?

Helen_J_3

alistair.long wrote: »

You will need to get your insurance to make sure it is your car as sometimes people make mistakes.

It wasn't my car, unless someone stole my car, drove into the back of someone in Durham then brought my car back to me with no scratches or marks on it!

Surely it's up to them to prove it was my car, as opposed to me having to prove it wasn't me? Innocent until proven guilty and all that?

Helen_J_3

adamc260 wrote: »

122 miles!?

On the day after I'd been out celebrating my 21st! :beer: