Waiting for a claim against me

Glug_2

Before Christmas I crashed my car into a lamp post and the police drove past to check I was ok. Seeing that I was and verifying that no offences had been committed thet made a note of the lamp post number and said that I am liable to pay for its repair.

Since that point, two months ago, I've changed insurer. Seeing as I haven't actually received any invoices or any further contact regarding this lamp post and as such been unable to make a claim I applied with 1 years no claims bonus.

Is there some kind of claim cut off point as this couldn't possibly hang over me forever, me wondering whether today will be the day I need to make a claim (depending of what it's worth) every single day?

Astaroth

6 years

These claims typically take months to come through, and sometimes years, rather than something a bit quicker

Glug_2

Yikes, so two months is not considered a long time...

What I'm also worried about is if my previous insurer will cover me now that I'm no longer a member. Or is that for the current insurer to do?

Any other advice for the situation?

Astaroth

The insurers at the time of the incident will cover you.

Assuming you claimed the cost of your own vehicle damages then there is no issues with it as the claim has been made so has to be declared. Things do get a little more tricky if future insurers ask the cost of the claim as all you can truly say is the claim is still open and costs to date are £X

The Highways Agency are very much like companies in terms of insurance claims (probably as they are companies in many areas). Whilst you and I want our £100 excess back yesterday in non-fault accidents companies tend to be much slower because whilst they do want their £3000 back there isnt the same sense of urgency and so it is more cost effective to have a small team dealing with them all rather than spending an extra £500,000 a year simply to get the money back in weeks rather than months.

Specifically for highways agency as well, it is very very rare that they are anything but an innocent party (not may street lights fail to stop in time) and so their money is assured and it isnt worth their time and effort being involved in disputed liability cases.... let the insurers fight it out over which of their clients is at fault and then simply ask the unlucky one to pay back the money. Generally they therefore just wait until they have paid out the repairs etc and have all the paperwork and send out a complete pack asking for repayment rather than letters asking for conformation on stance of liability, then estimates for agreeing quantum in principle and then finally the letter of claim with the bills - plus probably a few chaser letters when things havent been replied to in a timely manor

Glug_2

I was only 3rd party fire & theft and thee was no other driver involved so I didn't need to contact them about my own car damage, (I just had to accept it was a costly mistake).

Nothing has been declared. I've not received anything from the other party (highways agency) with which to refer my previous insurer's attention.

brazilianwax

Ah. You should have informed your insurers, even though you weren't making a claim.

Probably best you do it now.