Car damaged on driveway and other drivers insurance wont pay out

Aretnap

HappyMJ wrote: »

I would have thought any fault with the vehicle would have been the responsibility of the driver whether they knew or not.

You'd think incorrectly - the driver would only be liable if the fault was one he knew about, or one that a reasonably careful driver should have known about.

I'd write a letter asking for the money...then I'd send them a letter before action telling them if they don't pay up you'll take them to court...then I'd go to moneyclaim and raise a claim. For such a small amount it won't cost you much. The fee is £25. Much cheaper than the premium increase if you let your insurance handle it.

As it's a low value claim, if he makes enough fuss or goes to moneyclaim online there's always a chance that the insurers will decide that it's easier to pay it than to fight it. That wouldn't mean that he was entitled to the money though, and whether he'd be right to do it depends on your moral compass I suppose.

apk_2

Thanks all. It seems I have misunderstood car insurance and claims all these years. I guess I will go back to my insurance and query the original information I was given on glass claims and see if I can get some of the money back.

Unfortunately this makes me distrust insurance companies even more.

InsideInsurance

alexpkent wrote: »

Thanks all. It seems I have misunderstood car insurance and claims all these years. I guess I will go back to my insurance and query the original information I was given on glass claims and see if I can get some of the money back.

Unfortunately this makes me distrust insurance companies even more.

What we are discussing here is not "insurance" but is liability.

The TP's insurance will cover them for losses for which they are legally liable for, it is the courts that have defined how liability works not insurers.

losgiganteskid

alexpkent wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. I did contact my insurance initially but my policy only includes windscreen repair at the lower excess, as this was the side windows it would have had to be a full claim.

This sounds to me that the claims clerk at your insurance company needs some more inhouse training. A windscreen claim is just that - either the front screen, side window, rear window (possibly even a sun roof unless specifically excluded) are classified as a glass claim which in your case would come within the windscreen section hence lower excess and no loss of ncb.

Remember a windscreen is simply a screen from the wind - not necessarily a front screen.

rs65

alexpkent wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. I did contact my insurance initially but my policy only includes windscreen repair at the lower excess, as this was the side windows it would have had to be a full claim.

Side windows tend to be broken by malicious damage or theft or attempted theft of/from the car - hence regarded as a proper claim.

Some insurers would treat is as a glass claim if they only pay for glass - hence lower excess and no effect on NCB.

You would still have to consider this when getting future quotes. Most quote engines don't have an option for just 'glass' - it usually says windscreen/theft/accident etc.. If you do proceed with a claim, specifically ask what it will be recorded as.

Yorkie1

You may well find that by simply having spoken to the insurance company, this is recorded against you and will affect you at the time they quote at renewal time.

Dangermac

alexpkent wrote: »

Thanks all. It seems I have misunderstood car insurance and claims all these years. I guess I will go back to my insurance and query the original information I was given on glass claims and see if I can get some of the money back.

Unfortunately this makes me distrust insurance companies even more.

That may be your opinion, but this is not an insurance issue - it is a legal one relating to the question of liabilty.

You need to redirect your mistrust to the judiciary system!

Dm