Ongoing (fake)claim affecting my car insurance -can I change insurers whilst ongoing?

DontGiveUp2011

Hello Board,

I'm hoping someone can help me please! Back in early Jan 2012 a lady bumped her car into mine, I was turning right & she thought I was signalling for her to overtake me (yes really; who thinks that?!)
My car was just moving from stationery, so doing maybe 5mph and she was overtaking so maybe 10/20mph.

There was no damage to either vehicle, and she didn't call for medical assistance, despite informing me that her daughter had hurt her neck - I immediately thought this was odd, as her daughter was on the wrong side of the car, and the cars weren't going fast enough.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, this woman ended up claiming injuries for both herself and her daughter and got a payout of around £3000!

My problem is (apart from being super annoyed at this clearly fake claim!) that my car insurance is due for renewal, and I'd like to change to a cheaper quote - but this claim is still ongoing due to a third party 'no win no fee' solicitors holding out on not responding to my insurers, and delaying the entire process :mad:

Is it possible for me to change insurers whilst this claim is being dealt with? If yes, how - should I tell the new insurers that there is a claim in progress?
If no - how long am I supposed to wait for this issue to be resolved - it has already been 8 months with no word at all!! :eek:

Help!

droopsnoot

I believe you can, but you would be wise to tell the new insurers about the ongoing claim as it may affect your no-claims discount if you have one, and they do tell you that failing to disclose something may invalidate your policy. In fact I think they'll ask if you have any claims within the last 'x' years, so you'd be lying if you said 'no'.

I was once in an accident (I ran into the back of someone and pushed them into a third vehicle) and lost my no-claims, so I switched to another insurer at renewal time to bring it down a little. I was still getting paperwork after the renewal and simply passed it to the previous insurer.

Easiest thing is, check with the new insurance company.

Quentin

You can change your insurer.

As advised you do need to disclose the claim and inform any new insurer it is unresolved.

More than likely any unprotected ncd will be impacted till the claim is concluded. So explain to your new insurer the circs and get them to agree that if your ncd is reinstated they will amend your premium and refund any difference to you.

DontGiveUp2011

Thanks! Yes, I thought that I would lose my no claims which is also stupid considering I didn't put a claim in - I just informed my insurer about what had happened, then found out the other party had put a claim in, after visiting the 'no win no fee' people

I wish the government would hurry up and sort out the claiming for fake whiplash injuries, it is truly ridiculous what selfish people can get away with.