I had an accident in the work van

aaron125

Hello,

new to this forum, but have always stumbled across it for information.

Basically my bosses told me that the accident i had in May 2012 which involved me pulling out on a motorcyclist ( complete 100% liable on my part) had been payed out to the motorcyclist. This is the first we've heard from the business insurance to say that the claim had gone through and they had payed out.

Being that this is 2 years on nearly, it was an honest mistake i hadn't reported it to my personal car insurance so i was told i must report it to them immediately, so i had a phone call with my insurers yesterday to be told that its been written down and my insurance may or may not go up next renewal which is fine, the only thing im worried about is i never told them it was just under two years ago. He asked when it was and i told him i had forgotten and it was in the last Year or so, as i panicked weather or not i would be in trouble for not declaring during one years insurance.

Can anyone please tell me if i have anything to be worried about or weather or not all i needed to do was declare it? if it will get me into trouble, is it best to just ring up and declare the date it originally happened to be on the safe side?

Thank You
Aaron

wongataa

You do need to declare it properly. When applying for insurance you are asked if you have been involved in any accidents whether you made a claim or not within a specified time span (3-5 years usually, the length is dependant on the company). As you have had an accident in the last two years it needs to be declared, especially as it is logged on an insurance database somewhere as there has been a claim against you.

InsideInsurance

They are likely to be able to find it if they search for it so lying about when it was etc is likely to mean you end up with two separate claims about you in the system as the new date you give them will also make its way out there.

As long as they dont believe you intentionally tried to defraud them then the worst that will happen is you will have back premium to pay

Quentin

aaron125 wrote: »

...... is it best to just ring up and declare the date it originally happened to be on the safe side?

Yes.


Do this and remember to disclose it whenever you apply for quotes in future.


Insurers usually want your claim history over the last 3/5 years

aaron125

Okay guys, thanks for you help, ill make a phone call as rather be honest. So they could potentially ask for some money back from the previous year of insurance?

Thanks

Quentin

It's not just about you being "honest" - you need to correct this to be sure you have cover in the event of a claim.


If they don't check you out before, they will certainly do so if there is a claim.


If they then decide you lied deliberately to get a lower premium then they can decide to void your policy over the breach.


If you have been with the same insurer throughout then they may want any difference in premium paid up since inception, though as they didn't ask for any for the current year that looks unlikely.

aaron125

Hello Quentin,

I got told yesterday i had to report it to my insurance, i never knew that you had to report it to my personal insurance, im only 22 and have only been driving 4 years nearly, first time ive ever had to report this.

But yes its not about me being "honest" im just trying not to get stitched up in future, hence why ive come to the forum for advice.

I would never delibratly lie to insurers to get a lower quote, thats just not me. i take pride in my car and keeping everything up to date and honest and im upset and worried that ive done this.

I will ring this afternoon on my lunch.

Thank you
Aaron

Quentin

Don't get worried/upset.

There will be no issues.

(As posted there could have been in the future were this to come to light following a claim and the insurer took a certain view)

However as you know, claiming ignorance of a contract's ts and cs won't wash if push comes to shove.

And you will have agreed you told the truth regarding your claims history and accepted the policy conditions when taking out the policy.

Boring, but take the time now to read up the policy and understand your responsibilities under it on what has to be disclosed and when etc.

aaron125

Just an update:

Spoke to my insurance and declared everything i could to the best of knowledge and with the help of my bosses and fortunately i only went from £43/month insurance up to £54/month which is better than i expected and they know all the details of the incident.

feel much better.

Thanks everybody!
Aaron