for insurance purposes, what is an accident?

hugoshavez

james_joyce wrote: »

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

There are two separate issues at play.

First, insurers calculate your premium based on lots of factors. One is whether you've been involved in any accidents. So the accident is likely to cause a rise.

Secondly though, your NCD is only affected if a claim is paid (or an unpaid claim remains outstanding) Your NCD is only applied once the premium is calculated from all the other factors.

So, if no claim is made, your NCD will increase by one year and mean a bigger discount. But it will most probably be a bigger discount from a higher starting premium.

hugoshavez

NowRetired wrote: »

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

If you feel that your question hasn't been answered, perhaps you could be a little more specific about what you're asking?

matttye

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."

*not allowed to post links*

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.

Going by that definition banging someone's car with your door like somebody said above wouldn't be classed as an accident if you can't see any damage, and likewise with tapping someone's bumper.

chrisv24

Well an accident is quite obvious. But if you have an accident that wasn't your fault you could be able to make a claim. You might find this useful if it's injury claims that you are thinking about http://www.injuryclaimspecialists.com/