2 insurance claims

clarky_cat

Hi

I had a recent incident in which there was an initial collision when 2 lanes came togother and the car I was driving scraped another. This followed the driver of the vehicle getting out their car and vandalising my car so the police have got involved.

The insurance company are saying that they need to process it as 2 claims so 2 lots of excess which is going to be costly. Does this sounds right to you?

I'm guessing he'll say I was in the wrong for the inital collision and vice versa. Regarding the vansdalism hes already admitted he did to the police. Could someone advise what the process is for the 2 claims and how I can recover excess losses?

Thanks

Foxy-Stoat_3

You will have an excess for the damage caused by the accident - depending on how it was settled will depend on how much of your excess, if any, you can reclaim back.

The vandalism damage claim will have another excess. I would take him to the small claims court to recover ALL the damage but as your going through your insurance company to repair, then I'd guess you can only take him to court over your excess and increased insurance premiums for the next 5 years, surprised he isn't in prison for road rage now though..... Getting money out of him after a judgement will be another chapter.

neilmcl

Whether excess is payable is really down to who's at fault and how you process the claim(s). If the 3rd party was at fault for the accident then you claim against their insurance and no excess to pay. The vandalism is a different matter and you'll have excess to pay for this and then you'll have to recover this directly by suing the third-party, his insurer is unlikely to cover this.

clarky_cat

Thanks. its still in early stages yet. I think it will be difficult to prove that he was at fault for the initial. It was one of those where I was in left lane and he the right, there is an arrow in right lane telling him to move to the left. Instead of waiting for a gap though he just pushed his way forward colliding with me. Police said he was on bail already so possibly could be in prison now, I'm waiting for the latest.

I fear its going to be difficult getting money for the vandilism. However, I do have legal cover on my policy so the solicitors are looking to recover my costs.

Any idea how much premiums go up when you claim but have no claims protection?

InsideInsurance

neilmcl wrote: »

Whether excess is payable is really down to who's at fault

No, an excess is always payable. Depending on whos at fault it may be possible to recover some or all of the excess from the third party insurers.

Some insurers as a gesture of goodwill do waive the excess in the case of a non-fault accident with an identified and confirmed third party insurer but you can never rely on this.

To the original question, yes, these are two separate incidents and therefore it is two claims, two excess, two impacts on premiums unless your insurer makes full recovery of their outlay on both claims from the third party or their insurers. Even still, some insurers will load premiums for those with a number of even non-fault claims against their name

arcon5

So basically two lanes was merging and you either failed to anticipate this or never had the courtesy to work together so everybody can merge safely. It's my understanding that once the white lane divider line disappears the vehicle in front has right of way, I could be wrong, but if i'm not then this could see you being at fault if you crashed in to the side of him.

arcon5

Whether excess is payable is really down to who's at fault and how you process the claim(s). If the 3rd party was at fault for the accident then you claim against their insurance and no excess to pay.

InsideInsurance wrote: »

No, an excess is always payable. Depending on whos at fault it may be possible to recover some or all of the excess from the third party insurers.

Some insurers as a gesture of goodwill do waive the excess in the case of a non-fault accident with an identified and confirmed third party insurer but you can never rely on this.

To the original question, yes, these are two separate incidents and therefore it is two claims, two excess, two impacts on premiums unless your insurer makes full recovery of their outlay on both claims from the third party or their insurers. Even still, some insurers will load premiums for those with a number of even non-fault claims against their name

I've added back the bit you removed from the quote before you went and took it out of context.

If as said a person is claiming against a third parties insurance because they are at fault, then since no contract exists between the two parties no excess can possibly be charged. The third party insurer would be liable to restore the claimants position.

victor2

clarky_cat wrote: »

Any idea how much premiums go up when you claim but have no claims protection?

Not as much as they go up if your NCD is not protected!
Little help I know, but at least you appear to have accepted it will go up.
My brother had his car keyed. Claimed on his insurance, which had NCD protection. Come renewal, his premium increased something in the region of 50%. When he questioned why, as he thought his NCD was protected, the reply was that it was and he should see the quote without NCD!

forgotmyname

2 totally separate incidents so yes 2 claims.

People have posted that they clipped one car then in a flutter / panic reversed and bumped another, Again that was 2 claims.

Whose fault was the initial impact? If it was yours then the excess will be down to you. If it goes 50/50 then you will pay half i think.

The vandalism case, You could claim the excess from him but will he actually pay up?

One of those stupid systems where someone owes you money and refuses to pay, You take them to court and win and they still refuse to pay.

As mentioned, What maybe worse is declaring 2 claims or incidents for the next 5 years.

neilmcl

arcon5 wrote: »

I've added back the bit you removed from the quote before you went out took it out of context.

Thanks mate.

Don't you just hate it when posters do that to make themselves sound clever.

clarky_cat

OK I've been thinking, as the initial impact will be difficult to prove either way, could I ask the insurers just to fix the damage caused by the vandalism? This is by far the worst, I think a new door will be required and the insurer have confirmed this one won't effect my no claims.

In contrast the damage from the initial bang is nothing more than scratches on the front bumper. I could probably get it fixed for less than the excess which is £300.

The work hasn't started yet by the way.