Can I claim my expenses

*SuzySue*

My neighbour reversed into my nearly new car on Friday. No major damage, but it needs a new wing and bumper, possibly a new headlight if the mountings have snapped etc.

Her insurers have confirmed liability and have agreed I can take the car to a repairer of my choice. They will provide a like for like hire car while the car is there. All fine so far.

In order to get a 5 year warranty on the repairs, and for the manufacturer's warranty to continue I need to take it to a repairer approved by them. My nearest one is about 18 miles away from home.

I made the return trip yesterday to have the estimate done for the claim. I'll have to return when the car goes in for the repair, and again when it's fixed. I'm sure I can't claim for my time, but can I claim the cost of the diesel for these trips? I wouldn't be making them were it not for my neighbour hitting the car. I get about 30mpg out of the car, so each trip will cost me about £8 (times 3 = £24). It's not somewhere I would ordinarily go.

I assume that the car will be recorded on some database as being damaged/involved in a claim, which may reduce its value (I bought it new for £28k 16 months ago). Can I claim that? What about increased insurance costs in future years?

Can anyone help?

Quentin

Yes you can claim all your out of pocket expenses incurred over this plus an extra amount for your time/inconvenience in getting the quote they asked for.

As far as your car losing value because of this, you will have a problem showing this - doesn't sound a major crash. But if you can get a main dealer to confirm it has lost value, and how much (in writing), then put that in too.

*SuzySue*

Quentin wrote: »

Yes you can claim all your out of pocket expenses incurred over this plus an extra amount for your time/inconvenience in getting the quote they asked for.

As far as your car losing value because of this, you will have a problem showing this - doesn't sound a major crash. But if you can get a main dealer to confirm it has lost value, and how much (in writing), then put that in too.

Thank you. I'm in the process of setting up a business so time is definitely money to me.

I can quantify the mileage costs, the additional insurance costs and potential drop in value. How much do I ask for for inconvenience? £50? £100? More?

Quentin

Depends how much you value your time (and how much time you want to spend arguing over it! Some insurers are more accomodating than others when it comes to compensation for "inconvenience"!). Maybe the garage can provide a collection/delivery service for you and add it on to their bill?

(Read up on getting your additional insurance costs reimbursed as that is not a straightforward claim)

*SuzySue*

Quentin wrote: »

Depends how much you value your time (and how much time you want to spend arguing over it! Some insurers are more accomodating than others when it comes to compensation for "inconvenience"!). Maybe the garage can provide a collection/delivery service for you and add it on to their bill?

(Read up on getting your additional insurance costs reimbursed as that is not a straightforward claim)

Thanks again. I'd rather collect the car as I won't be accepting it unless it's absolutely faultless.

Where can I read up on claiming additional insurance premiums? I did a google search but didn't find anything useful on the first 4 pages!

(I have a multicar policy for 3 vehicles which costs £1200 per year at present, so this incident will affect all 3 for at least 3 years.. Could total quite a lot.).

geri1965_2

Most insurers will allow £30 - £50 for inconvenience. £50 would be on the generous side.

McKneff

Check with your own insurance company anyway to see if your premiums will indeed rise, some do and some dont.

Ive had 2 non fault accidents in the recent past and my premium didnt change.

Never gave a thouht to drop in value though.

Quentin

*SuzySue* wrote: »

Where can I read up on claiming additional insurance premiums?.....

Do a search to find lots of discussions on MSE over this topic (insurance increases aren't seen as uninsured losses),

eg: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3445777

Lots on cag too:

eg: http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?263813

You will be lucky if you can manage to get this back, but shop araound anyway at renewal time for the best deal (as always!)

Sgt_Pepper_2

*SuzySue* wrote: »

Thanks again. I'd rather collect the car as I won't be accepting it unless it's absolutely faultless.

Where can I read up on claiming additional insurance premiums? I did a google search but didn't find anything useful on the first 4 pages!

(I have a multicar policy for 3 vehicles which costs £1200 per year at present, so this incident will affect all 3 for at least 3 years.. Could total quite a lot.).

You may want to get them to have a look under the bonnet when its in he you're only getting 30 mpg from a diesel.

*SuzySue*

Sgt_Pepper wrote: »

You may want to get them to have a look under the bonnet when its in he you're only getting 30 mpg from a diesel.

It's a 4x4.

I get closer to 40mpg extra urban, but the trip to the garage is all windey country lanes (ie slow, lots of hills, stopping etc).

*SuzySue*

McKneff wrote: »

Check with your own insurance company anyway to see if your premiums will indeed rise, some do and some dont.

Ive had 2 non fault accidents in the recent past and my premium didnt change.

Never gave a thouht to drop in value though.

Would be amazed if they didn't put an increase, but will check.