Cancelling a claim

mickburkejnr

I had an accident in October 2014 when a girl drove in to the back of my car in traffic. I had joined her lane with plenty of space, however she started beeping the horn and had sped up (more than certain she was on her phone because of the gap left in front of her). The bumper was scratched and the bracket holding it was smashed, and the lower part of the split folding boot was pushed in slightly. I also had some degree of whiplash although I have never claimed for this, nor do I intend to, as I still worked even though it hurt to move.

Anyway, photos were taken and I informed Elephant who insure me about it. Submitted everything, they sent out car repair people to examine the damage and it was arranged to have the car fixed. The day before they took the car in the insurance said my claim was being disputed as she was implying that I had moved over dangerously - Which I hadn't. I refused to foot the repair bill myself until Elephant fought my corner etc.

A month later I called them asking for news, they didn't have any. Basically LV, the girls insurers, don't pick up the phone to them amazingly. Another month went past, Elephant said they were going for 50/50 but nothing had been confirmed.

On Friday I had an email from elephant asking if I was continuing with the claim, and this was the first communication I had with them since being told about the 50/50 thing. I'm so annoyed, but the lack of faith I have in the company has made me think I should cancel the claim, as I'll be out of pocket regardless.

However, my insurance is due for renewal on the 26th, and I don't know whether to include this accident or not. If I cancel the claim, and as far as I know she isn't making a claim against me, do I need to include this when looking for a while quote? At the moment I should have 6 years NCB but my insurance from elephant has gone up by £300, which is ridiculous so I won't be renewing. However I don't know where I stand with cancelling the claim.

dacouch

If the claim is settled as 50/50 this means your Insurer can recover 50% of their costs from the other party and the other party can recover 50% of their costs from your Insurer.

So to cancel a claim that's 50/50 would mean you'll end up paying your own repair costs and 50% of her costs if you want to preserve your no claims bonus

mickburkejnr

Yeah Elephant explained that, they would ask us to cover our own costs and if either refused then that's when my NCB would be affected, and on top of this it shouldn't be 50/50 in the first place as I wasn't in the wrong but that's by the by. If I chose to cancel the claim and fix it myself, without involving the insurer do I still need to put the accident down in future even though I cancelled it before a decision was made officially?

Quentin

mickburkejnr wrote: »

..... If I chose to cancel the claim and fix it myself, without involving the insurer do I still need to put the accident down in future even though I cancelled it before a decision was made officially?

You have reported this so it will go on your record - nothing you can do to "undo" or "unreport" this (all reported incidents/losses/claims etc get put on your record and shared with other insurers)


So yes you will have to disclose it in future whatever the outcome.


(And be sure you are correct regarding your NCD - it may have been dropped pending the outcome of any claim - don't tell other insurers you have more than will be shown on your renewal as that will cause problems when they discover the truth)

mickburkejnr

I have spoken to Elephant and while I was on the phone they told my my NCB was only 3 years (not 6 like it should be), and this was down to the claim being open. So I was put through to the claims department and they essentially said nothing has happened with the claim in the last 6 months. They said the 3rd party hasn't provided them with anything that's been requested, but I'll be honest I don't think Elephant have been chasing it for 6 months either.

I spoke to him about the options, he said I could carry on and see where it goes or settle the claim. I've opted to settle the claim, which then means my 6 years NCB is reinstated.

Moral of the story for me: Don't go with the cheapest insurance. Go with the one that's been rated highly by consumers.