Home insurance problem - advice please

hapless

Hi all, I have a problem that I really hope someone can helpme with. Recently one of my neighbours suffered some kind of stroke whilst reversing out of her garage and accidently reversed into my garage pretty much destroying the door and knocking half the supporting wall down.

The BIG problem is that I'd let my home insurance lapse recently so the garage is not insured. I took photos of the incident and I have a signed letter from the old lady admitting the accident was her fault but I'm really concerned that her car insurance company want my home insurance details (which I don't obviously can't provide).

Does anybody know why they want the home insurance details if it is clearly the lady's fault? Is there anything I need to be aware of trying to get this sorted without the help of an insurance company on my side? Is there any one you can recommend I contact to get further advice (e.g. citizens advice)?

I'm starting to get very worried about this situation and so any advice would be gratefully received.

McKneff

Just tell them that you have no insurance, it isnt compulsory.

However, the insurance company can deny the claim if the lady had no previous knowledge of a 'condition'

Seen it happen before when a bus driver crashed, passengers sued and they got nowhere because the driver had no previous knowledge that he might have a 'blackout'
Good luck, hope it goes well for you

Quentin

You do need to tell them you have no insurance to progress this.

As advised, although she signed a 'confession' you cannot rely on this.

Be prepared to end up having to stump up for this.

And having to disclose the loss if you intend getting insurance in the next 3 to 5 years depending on how long a history is required

hapless

Thanks to you both for taking the time to reply, it is much appreciated. Fortunately, I found out this evening that as the garage is part of a set of garages that have a management company they are insured by them so *hopefully* my bacon should be saved! :j

It seems pretty off that had this not been the case I would have had to stump up for this. I haven't had to deal with insurance companies in this capacity before (me vs them) but from your advice it sounds like I wouldn't have stood a chance...

... just out of interest if they had refused to pay for the work would I have been able to have the work done then taken them to small claims court to try to get my money back?

P.S. I've renewed all my building and contents insurance now, don't think I'll be letting it lapse again any time soon! :eek:

Quentin

If the lady was negligent, her insurer would pay.

But in cases like this (sudden stroke/heart attack etc) then the third party is often not held liable, (unless this has happened before, or there have been warnings etc from medical staff not to drive).

In cases like this the court throw out the claim.

(Which is why you need insurance)

(Did you disclose the incident to your insurer when renewing? You need to, otherwise your policy could be voided if you need to make a claim in future)

vaio

Quentin wrote: »

......Did you disclose the incident to your insurer when renewing? You need to, otherwise your policy could be voided if you need to make a claim in future

Does she need to notify given.....

hapless wrote: »

......I found out this evening that as the garage is part of a set of garages that have a management company they are insured by them so.......

certainly the OP doesn't seem to be responsible for repairing the damage as the insurance is in place by the management company. Does it come down to who owns the garages?