for insurance purposes, what is an accident?

NowRetired

For insurance purposes, what is an accident?

huckster

What you mean is what do you have to declare.

Definitely anything involving a third party or their property.

If there is no third party involvement and no claim made, then it is up to you. e.g hitting your own garage door with your car, denting the bumper.

System

I thought you had to declare incidents, not just accidents?

huckster

Clifford_Pope wrote: »

I thought you had to declare incidents, not just accidents?

Yes that is correct. If for example a third party accused you of driving in a way that caused an accident or you were made aware of potential liability following such an incident, it would have to be disclosed.

forgotmyname

Accidents or incidents even if no claim has been made.

In theory you touch bumpers whilst parking you should inform them. Open your door and catch the door on the car next to you same..

thenudeone

It's difficult to think of an "incident" which isn't also an "accident" as defined by The Road Traffic Act 1988

".. owing to the presence of a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road or other public place, an accident occurs by which—
(a)personal injury is caused to a person other than the driver of that mechanically propelled vehicle, or
(b)damage is caused—
(i)to a vehicle other than that mechanically propelled vehicle or a trailer drawn by that mechanically propelled vehicle, or
(ii)to an animal other than an animal in or on that mechanically propelled vehicle or a trailer drawn by that mechanically propelled vehicle, or
(iii)to any other property constructed on, fixed to, growing in or otherwise forming part of the land on which the road or place in question is situated or land adjacent to such land."

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/section/170

That covers all the suggestions above.

Obviously there an be a claim where there isn't an accident (eg a windscreen claim), but insurers usually ask about claims anyway.

I'd say - if there was a claim; OR an accident which fits the description above, it should be declared.

InsideInsurance

thenudeone wrote: »

It's difficult to think of an "incident" which isn't also an "accident" as defined by The Road Traffic Act 1988

".. owing to the presence of a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road or other public place, an accident occurs by which—
(a)personal injury is caused to a person other than the driver of that mechanically propelled vehicle, or
(b)damage is caused—
(i)to a vehicle other than that mechanically propelled vehicle or a trailer drawn by that mechanically propelled vehicle, or
(ii)to an animal other than an animal in or on that mechanically propelled vehicle or a trailer drawn by that mechanically propelled vehicle, or
(iii)to any other property constructed on, fixed to, growing in or otherwise forming part of the land on which the road or place in question is situated or land adjacent to such land."

There would be hundreds - anything occurring on private land with no public access, any damage to own vehicle only (eg vandalism, pothole damage, curbing your car), theft, fire etc

System

"(b)damage is caused—
(i)to a vehicle other than that mechanically propelled vehicle"

So if you damage your own vehicle but no one else's that is not an accident?

Meadows

What have you done that you are trying to put down as an accident?

james_joyce

Hi All - I have a related question please.

I recently had an accident (drove into a parked car, minor superficial damage) which I reported to my insurer. They were going to contact the other party but I've not heard anything back.

If the other party doesn't actually claim any money, how does the accident affect my no-claims discount? Does it really mean 'no accidents/incidents discount', ie do I lose the discount even if my insurers don't actually have to pay out to the other party?

Thanks
James

NowRetired

What have you done that you are trying to put down as an accident?

Nothing and it has nothing to do with cars or other vehicles.