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Car insurance claim possible write-off advice?
My father is 60 and pays about £200/year for insurance w/breakdowncover (full NCB) on his Nissan Almera 1.5 2004 with 45,000 miles on the clock. It's worth £1500-£2000 - or it was until it was shunted at low speed from behind on the motorway.
Other driver has admitted fault however the issue is the bumper needs respraying, the parking sensors are knackered and the rear door is out of alignment. So it's probably a write-off.
Which is a shame because of the fact that a reliable car owned for many years is worth much more than its book value. Not much you can do about that I guess.
Also there is the issue about increased insurance premium.
Should he pursue the claim through his own insurer or the at-fault party's? Does it matter?
Other driver has admitted fault however the issue is the bumper needs respraying, the parking sensors are knackered and the rear door is out of alignment. So it's probably a write-off.
Which is a shame because of the fact that a reliable car owned for many years is worth much more than its book value. Not much you can do about that I guess.
Also there is the issue about increased insurance premium.
Should he pursue the claim through his own insurer or the at-fault party's? Does it matter?
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Comments
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Call his insurance - give them the other parties details - let them sort it out.
If they do write the car off, which they probably will for the value of a new bumper - then make sure you get a lot of prices for high priced ones and haggle.
If it was just the bumper I'd have thought about buying it back but the door being out of alignment suggests there could be a lot more to it than a new bumper.
5t.What if there was no such thing as a rhetorical question?0 -
Should he pursue the claim through his own insurer or the at-fault party's? Does it matter?
As it appears liability isn't being disputed, then don't claim off your own insurer.
By claiming direct off the third party your own policy remains in force (some policies get cancelled when there is a write off), your NCD will be unaffected and you won't have the hassle of having to reclaim your excess back off the third party.
Also they will let you keep the car as well as pay the write off settlement (assuming they do write it off). Thus you can repair it yourself if it is viable.
Just tell your own insurer about the incident, but make it clear you are telling them "for information only" and don't wish to make a claim.
If anything goes wrong with claiming off the third party you can still go back to your own insurer and put in a claim.0 -
As it appears liability isn't being dispited, then don't claim off your own insurer.
Not sure why you wouldn't in this case. Good story on Watchdog last week. Even reporting an incident now can be classed as making a claim. In a clear non-fault why would you not ask them to do the job you are paying them for?
Again, I'd say that stands if you are not claiming off a third party. Here, the OP certianly is so it shouldn't matter.
By claiming direct off the third party your own policy remains in force (some policies get cancelled when there is a write off),
See above point about the door being misaligned. Sounds like the OP wwouldn't want the car back at all but in principle I do agree.your NCD will be unaffected and you won't have the hassle of having to reclaim your excess back off the third party.
Also they will let you keep the car as well as pay the write off settlement (assuming they do write it off). Thus you can repair it yourself if it is viable.Just tell your own insurer about the incident, but make it clear you are telling them "for information only" and don't wish to make a claim.
If anything goes wrong with claiming off the third party you can still go back to your own insurer and put in a claim.
As above. Not sure why you wouldn't get them to do the job they are being paid for. The costs will rack up quickly for the 3rd party so they'll have a more pressing need to get it all sorted out properly I'd have thought.
5t.What if there was no such thing as a rhetorical question?0 -
I posted my answer to the OP's question.
It is different advice to yours, but that's life, And I didn't criticise you did I?
But for the record, claiming off the third party does give advantages:
1) No excess to pay and reclaim
2) You can keep your car (if you want) even if it's a write off.
3) Your policy continues (many insurers end the policy following a write off claim)
4) Your own insurer will reduce your NCD till the issue is settled, and can cause problems if renewal comes up before the matter is concluded and you would like to move to a new insurer as you will have the reduced NCB to transfer.
(You misunderstood Watchdog, reporting an incident is different to making a claim! Both go on your record)0 -
I posted my answer to the OP's question.
It is different advice to yours, but that's life, And I didn't criticise you did I?
I asked questions - I didn't criticise... I do think some of what you said is misleading in this particular case though. I think what you have said (and I noted agreement in principle in the first response) is largely correct but for the OP, not so much.
But for the record, claiming off the third party does give advantages:
1) No excess to pay and reclaim
Never been an issue for me. As I'm paying for the cover I've made sure that the 3rd party has covered all fees/excess etc.
2) You can keep your car (if you want) even if it's a write off.
Givent he age/value and type of car in this case it looks like a scrapper. Not sure why the OP would want it back? You'll note I did agree here and made reference in my first post but for this car? What's the point?3) Your policy continues (many insurers end the policy following a write off claim)
Yes if it is your fault. Not heard of this for a non-fault claim where all costs have been recovered. Feel free to demonstrate otherwise!4) Your own insurer will reduce your NCD till the issue is settled, and can cause problems if renewal comes up before the matter is concluded and you would like to move to a new insurer as you will have the reduced NCB to transfer.
Not if the OP has protected no claims. Perhaps ask the question first? Either way the risk will be higher so the premium will go up. Since that is goign to happen anyway, why not get the money already invested working for you?(You misunderstood Watchdog, reporting an incident is different to making a claim! Both go on your record)
No they were being treated as though they had claimed. That is clearly how it was presented. I didn't misunderstand it at all. The chap with the car quite rightly had the 'claims' removed. The lady with the wall - more to it than was presented I think so judgement reserved. Still going off topic there....
5t.What if there was no such thing as a rhetorical question?0 -
No point debating this issue - your advice differs from mine, so what?
But regarding watchdog, a claim is a claim, an incident is an incident where a loss could be involved but the policyholder does not wish to make a claim.
The watchdog moaners had incidents on their records which they did not disclose to new insurers (in breach of the policy ts + cs). You will see in post #3 I did advise the OP to notify their insurer of the incident!0 -
No point debating this issue - your advice differs from mine, so what?
So someone needs advice. I think they need specific not general advice that's all. I've simply asked a few questions which at this point can't be answered it seems.
But regarding watchdog, a claim is a claim, an incident is an incident
Correct. And the entire point of the argument.The watchdog moaners had incidents on their records which they did not disclose to new insurers (in breach of the policy ts + cs).
Actually I think the question is "have you made any claims in the last five years" which is back to your point above. They hadn't made claims at all. I still think the old lady must have called with a view to previous damage but the driver for me was far from a "moaner" and rightly had his complaint upheld and money refunded.You will see in post #3 I did advise the OP to notify their insurer of the incident!
Never said you didn't chap. :beer: I did however say that if you were going to inform them and as such have your risk loaded and premium rise anyway, why would you not get them to simply handle the claim? It is what you pay for especially when you are not at fault.
5t.What if there was no such thing as a rhetorical question?0 -
Actually I think the question is "have you made any claims in the last five years" which is back to your point above.
No.
That is where the problem arose. People mistakenly think they only need report "claims".
In fact they ask you to report claims/accidents/losses that could have given rise to a claim.
Eg. this is how direct line explain the question on their website:Details of Claims should include any accidents, claims or losses made by you or any additional driver irrespective of fault0 -
No.
That is where the problem arose. People mistakenly think they only need report "claims".
In fact they ask you to report claims/accidents/losses that could have given rise to a claim.
Eg. this is how direct line explain the question on their website:
Which is exactly the point Watchdog was making. If someone has got a wee dent on the wing but not bothered to fix it then they don't count it as a 'loss'.
The issue is in the poor wording you have highlighted. They don't ask for all incidents, reports etc etc. The implication is that if money has changed hands then you need to report it when of course that isn't the case.
Once again - if reporting the incident is going to put the premium up anyway, why not let the insurance comapny handle it? Especially for an older person liek the OP's dad who could probably do without the stress.
I'm not sure why you are trying to demonstrate something I clearly already know.
5t.What if there was no such thing as a rhetorical question?0 -
Once again - if reporting the incident is going to put the premium up anyway, why not let the insurance comapny handle it? Especially for an older person liek the OP's dad who could probably do without the stress.
Trouble is it doesn't work like that.
If there is no dispute over liability, many insurers hand over non fault claims to the likes of Drive Assist to sort out, using expensive credit repairs/credit hire etc.
But if you are able to go direct to the third party, they are happy to look after you as they see you saving them all the costs that DA and others cause them.
Plus all the other advantages already listed of claiming direct from the guilty party!0
This discussion has been closed.
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