My first Car Ins. claim ever, what to do... I have NCB Protecion

blue_monkey_2

I had a pheasant fly into the side of my car this weekend. It has put 2 dents in the front side panel, 2 in the door and ripped off the colour co-ordinated wing mirror, casing and all the electrics off it. It wan't even in the road, it just seems to have flown out of the grass at the side, just driving along and had a HUGE bang. I am so gutted that it has done so much damage. The bird itself was ripped to pieces by the car and I just can't believe it to be honest.

Called into Ins company and the repair people have contacted me this morning and I am waiting to return their call, I have to pay £150 excess plus any more claims I will lose my no claims protection, I am with esure.

I can get the mirror for £160 and hubby can fit it, still leaves the dents in the door and wing and was wondering to get someone local to do them, or I can just fork out the £150 excess and have it all over and done with. Thing is, I am worried what happens if I have another claim.

Do these claims have to be shown on your record for the future and will it affect my insurance or with NCP does it not 'count' - I have 9 years NCB so it is a lot to lose an I have never had to claim in 17 years of driving. I have not had to do this before so apologies if my questions seem a little dumb, I just don't know what happens next or what to do for the best in regard to the claim. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

DavidHM

If you have proteciton, you'll stil have the same discount applied to the basic premium, but the basic premium will rise slightly due to your having had an accident.

If you didn't have the protection, you would have (maximum years of no claims - 2) next year, so typically three years' NCB and not zero.

It will be cheaper and easier to put this through insurance, especially as the premium loading can happen anyway now that you've informed the insurer of the incdient.

Your claim will need to be declared for three to five years but with your driving record, it won't push the premium through the roof by any means. Usually you'll be allowed two claims in two years before your NCB is reduced - but given that you've not had one for 17 years, it's not especially likely and not enough that I would be trying to arrange a repair myself.

blue_monkey_2

Many thanks for taking the time to reply.

I decided that I was going to claim and the car is going in on Thursday to be assessed. i don't like driving without a mirror on the side though, it is very strange and you don't realise how much you use it until you do not have it.

I did weigh it up for most of the day until I went out and took another good look at the car and the dents are really bad so it is being done. Thanks for taking the time to tell me about the NCB, it is reassuring to know I won't lose them all after so long. Thank you again.