Car damaged by leaking car park - small claims?

maninthestreet

That was quick!

Quentin

chrishill16 wrote: »

Because my renewal happened in March and the damage happened in Feb, so they were kind enough to backdate it for me! They said had I claimed in Feb that is what the new premuim would have been.

Had you claimed in Feb your NCD would have been reduced by two years and none awarded for last year - the new premium would have been much higher!


You look to have been well and truly caught out by not reading your ts + cs!


Had you read up on them you would have known you are bound to disclose any losses you experience that could lead to a claim.


(And had you read up on "legal expenses" you would have known they cannot be used to pursue anything but uninsured losses)


You should have told them about this prior to renewing if you had any intention of pursuing a claim. When you didn't you should have not subsequently informed your insurer and then
expected them not to revise your premium following your breach!


With regard to your previous query on whether or not this needs disclosing in future to other insurers should you not make a claim, then do realise that this loss has been recorded by your insurer, and will be on the database for other insurance companies to see.


Complain bitterly to the bodyshop who tried to get you to pay a fortune for lying about the paint having been stripped away when it apparently hasn't!!

dacouch

chrishill16 wrote: »

Thank you so much! This did the trick! Bit of warm water and juice from a whole lemon, all sorted. :j

Can't believe Audi told me the paint was corroded!

Massive thank you to everyone for your advice, I really appreciate it. :T

It's a simple chemical reaction, remember your acids and Alkalines.

If you've used lemon juice give it a really good rinse to remove the lemon juice and have a read of the excellent link from maninthestreet.

Minrich

chrishill16 wrote: »

Thank you so much! This did the trick! Bit of warm water and juice from a whole lemon, all sorted. :j

Can't believe Audi told me the paint was corroded!

Massive thank you to everyone for your advice, I really appreciate it. :T

It would have come off with an aggressive compound too and a rotary polisher - Glad to hear good news

chrishill16

Quentin wrote: »

Had you claimed in Feb your NCD would have been reduced by two years and none awarded for last year - the new premium would have been much higher!


You look to have been well and truly caught out by not reading your ts + cs!


Had you read up on them you would have known you are bound to disclose any losses you experience that could lead to a claim.


(And had you read up on "legal expenses" you would have known they cannot be used to pursue anything but uninsured losses)


You should have told them about this prior to renewing if you had any intention of pursuing a claim. When you didn't you should have not subsequently informed your insurer and then
expected them not to revise your premium following your breach!


With regard to your previous query on whether or not this needs disclosing in future to other insurers should you not make a claim, then do realise that this loss has been recorded by your insurer, and will be on the database for other insurance companies to see.


Complain bitterly to the bodyshop who tried to get you to pay a fortune for lying about the paint having been stripped away when it apparently hasn't!!

So when I call them tomorrow and explain that there were no losses and I was misinformed by the bodyshop, what do you think their response will be? Are my premiums going to revert back to where they were before I told them about the damage?

When I called them about it initially I was very clear that I wasn't claiming and I just wanted to find out what my options were regarding legal protection. They put plenty of pressure on me to make a claim but I kept telling them that I was trying to get the management company to accept liability. At which point Esure advised that no claim would go through without my agreement. Next thing I know, they're writing to me to say my premiums have gone up.

rs65

chrishill16 wrote: »

Took it to Audi and they quoted me £1,500 to have it repaired.

dacouch wrote: »

Have you tried diluted lemon juice on it?

Expensive lemons !!

Quentin

chrishill16 wrote: »

So when I call them tomorrow and explain that there were no losses and I was misinformed by the bodyshop, what do you think their response will be? Are my premiums going to revert back to where they were before I told them about the damage?

When I called them about it initially I was very clear that I wasn't claiming and I just wanted to find out what my options were regarding legal protection. They put plenty of pressure on me to make a claim but I kept telling them that I was trying to get the management company to accept liability. At which point Esure advised that no claim would go through without my agreement. Next thing I know, they're writing to me to say my premiums have gone up.

As previously explained, your legal expenses cannot help in the way you wanted it to. Never contact your insurer unless you intend making a claim - otherwise you end up with your record being adversely affected like this.


Your insurer was trying to help you by advising you to make a claim (bearing in mind the enormous quote you had been given).


Your premium went up because of the reason already advised - you hadn't disclosed your loss prior to renewal, thus the renewal price was based on the wrong info. You will also probably have had an admin fee to pay on top of the premium increase because of the mid term adjustment you caused.


You can try for a premium reduction, but don't hold your breath!

chrishill16

Quentin wrote: »

As previously explained, your legal expenses cannot help in the way you wanted it to. Never contact your insurer unless you intend making a claim - otherwise you end up with your record being adversely affected like this.


Your insurer was trying to help you by advising you to make a claim (bearing in mind the enormous quote you had been given).


Your premium went up because of the reason already advised - you hadn't disclosed your loss prior to renewal, thus the renewal price was based on the wrong info. You will also probably have had an admin fee to pay on top of the premium increase because of the mid term adjustment you caused.


You can try for a premium reduction, but don't hold your breath!

Thanks. I understand about the legal protection.

I'll call them tomorrow and see what they say. I'm sorry to sound a bit dim, but I don't understand how they can increase my premium. They're not out of pocket. There's no damage and they haven't done anything for me.

Quentin

chrishill16 wrote: »

Thanks. I understand about the legal protection.

I'll call them tomorrow and see what they say. I'm sorry to sound a bit dim, but I don't understand how they can increase my premium. They're not out of pocket. There's no damage and they haven't done anything for me.

You chose not to report the £1500 loss you suffered (contrary to the policy conditions), and so they didn't rate you on your correct "profile" at your renewal time.


They subsequently caught up with you when you eventually reported the loss when trying to use your "legal expenses" to pursue the third party for you.


5 Months later you are now wanting to tell them you had no damage and want the damage you reported to them "wiped" from your record as it was all a mistake and you want the premium reducing!.


Which is why you shouldn't hold your breath!