Car Insurance Query. Bumpped Parked Car

l2v

Sorry if this rambles a bit - some advice needed!

Recently bumpped into a parked car. Whilst my car has no damage, the persons parked car sustained minor damage (a dent). I left a note for the driver who later made contact. I've put this through my insurance company (I'm fully comp) and have just completed the paperwork and I thought I'd have to pay some sort of excess to make a claim. My insurance company said that because I wasn't personally claiming (even although the person I bumpped into was) I wouldn't need to pay anything. Is this the same with all car insurance companies?

I thought because its my fault that I'd caused damage to another persons vehicle, I'd have to pay something- Is this not that case? Not that im complaining!!

mattymoo

It is correct.
The insurance excess is only applied when you are claiming for damage to your own vehicle. Third party claims are dealt with in full.

The only exceptions to this are large companies and local authorities. They often carry a £10,000 TPPD excess. TPPD stands for third party property damage. The idea is that the council deals with all the minor claims (car hit by refuse lorry etc) and the insurance company then deal with the major incidents. Sometimes it is the only way they can get cover.
Of course, the £10k comes out of your council tax each time.

Oh - and well done for owning up to the accident. A lot of posts on this board deal with the opposite situation where someone has simply driven off after hitting a car.

l2v

Many Thanks for the response - Initially I thought that because I have to pay something anyway I wouldnt bother with going through insurance (and just pay their repair out of my own pocket). Im glad I did go through my insurance company now :j (also have protected NCB).

Perhaps if more drivers knew about this there would be less incidents of people just driving away.

Thanks again.

Astaroth

Whilst NCD isnt affected that just means you still get your 65% discount (or what ever level you are at) it doesnt mean your premium wont go up because of the claim.

It is also worth remembering that many insurers will allow you to "buy back" the claim (ie give them the money they have paid out) which will make the claim non-fault should you find your premiums go up too much at renewal because of the claim