Advice needed please - car accident

IMW01

We had an accident which involved another car backing out of their parking space at the station car park and into our side/back without even checking for other cars. We exchanged details and she admitted liability verbally there and later by text.
I notified my insurer and for the first day they were quite helpful, sorting out a rental car and getting our car picked up to have it repaired.

We renewed our insurance just the week before the accident. Now suddenly we've received a letter from our insurer asking for payment of a further £200 in premium because of the accident. When I rang them to ask why, I was told that this is standard practice and that I have to pay it or they may cancel the policy all together. Is this true? They are assuming that both parties were at fault (even though the other side has already admitted liability).
Does anyone know of what the best way is to deal with this?

bryanb

You don't really have a choice, don't cause them to cancel your policy or you will have top declare it on proposal forms for years.

A bit doubtful asking extra premium before renewal though, are you sure it's not your excess?

vaio

Assuming this is a premium increase rather then excess then........

If your renewal date (rather than when you paid) was after the accident then I suppose they have withdrawn their renewal offer and want more because of the accident.

By the same token, I'd say now they've made a new offer you are at liberty to reject it and take your business elsewhere without incurring any fees

If your new policy had started before the accident then ask them to refer you to the policy section that allows mid term premium increases

Quentin

IMW01 wrote: »

..... They are assuming that both parties were at fault (even though the other side has already admitted liability).
Does anyone know of what the best way is to deal with this?

Forget about the other driver admitting liability (this counts for nothing, the driver cannot decide liability), and this will be sorted by the insurers.

Once the third party insurer has accepted liability, and following them reimbursing your insurer all their costs then the claim will become a non fault claim (assuming no disputes over liability)

But at present, because you claimed off your own policy, then the claim looks to have been initially marked down as a "fault" claim. against you.

It seems your claim came after your renewal premium was calculated, and that price no longer applies. You will have the claim on your history now, causing a premium loading and (unless protected), your NCD will have been impacted pending the outcome of the claim.

Ask your insurer to confirm to you what will happen regarding the extra premium now being demanded if the claim is concluded as non fault.

Next time you are involved in an accident where you feel the other side are responsible you can avoid these issues (and having to pay and reclaim your excess) by not claiming off your own policy but pusuing the third party direct (either by DIY or using a claim handler).