Car accident - NCB Question

JJ22

Hi All, I'm new here so bear with.

On Thursday 26/5, I was involved in a minor accident (Which I won't go into details of unless necessary) where the third party was at fault but denied all liability at the roadside and to their insurance company.

I've phoned my insurance company and now have a courtesy vehicle while mine is in repairs. The damage to my car (2015 Corsa) is Minor and I would've chosen to get it privately repaired and not claimed for had the third party admitted it was their fault.

The Third party has told me that they're claming (or trying to) from my insurance, but I don't think they will go ahead with this as their car is 20 years old and worth about £300 so I suspect that it will become written off by the insurance company as the damage will probably me more to repair than that.

My Questions are... If I pull out of my claim at what point can I do this? I now have a courtesy vehicle from the repair garage?
If the cost of repairs is less than my excess (so in effect I'm paying 100% for repairs), is this still considered a "claim" even though the insurance company wont be paying anything?

And most importantly.. I REALLY don't want to lose my No claims. I've done research and ( I think) I've found that sometimes you can reimburse your insurance company for all costs of the claim to keep your NCB. Is this true?

Thanks for reading my essay and any help is appreciated. I'm really mind boggled with the whole thing and concerned.

JJ22

Can anyone offer any advise on this please?

Quentin

You are too late to pull out of the claim.


You can reimburse your insurer all their costs over your claim (including any payout they make to the third party) to get any lost NCD reinstated


This claim is now on your record and will have to be disclosed to future insurers

daveyjp

For minor damage it is better to get the liability sorted before getting the car repaired. Once this is sorted you can deal with the claim as you see fit. In our case I used a local bodyshop that invoiced the third party insurance company.

However the car you are driving needs to be paid for. That will be from either your insurance or theirs so a claim is now live.

forgotmyname

Just because the 3rd party;s car is a cheap one doesnt mean they wont claim.

I know people have had a decent sum of money for cars they have picked up for a few hundred £.

jobdone1

On dear new car against your view banger they are at fault. What warrants you to legally determine fault ????

keith1950

If this goes against you or your insurance cannot recover the uninsured losses....you will be responsible for those costs.

Are you 100% sure that you have been given a courtesy car and not a hire car.

If it is a hire car you could end up having to pay for it.

Unless you have good independent witnesses this will probably go 50/50 in which case you will lose your ncd.

JJ22

Thanks for your replies guys

I've since spoken to my insurance company and as of yet they've not heard anything from the third party.
The courtesy car I've been given has been provided by the bodyshop, not my insurance company, so I'd of got this from them whether I was paying privately or not.
I've been advised that the repairs will be costing me less than my excess anyway so essentially I won't be claiming the costs for my damage, and unless the third party tries to put liability on me I'll withdraw my claim as in the long run I'll be financially better off If I pay the costs of repair than lose my no claims.
I've spoken to my insurance company and they've advised that this won't be an issue, however I do understand that I'll still have to declare the accident to future insurers.

So it's just a waiting game now I guess

Quentin

You can still pursue a claim directly against the third party insurer for the costs you incur

undaunted

Was it the other parties fault or wasn't it? The fact that they may deny liability is neither here nor there. CCTV? Witnesses? Your insurers view of what you say?


If you're sure it was not your fault then why would you pay for repairing your car, withdraw your claim or lose your NCB? If you have comprehensive cover your insurer will pay to fix the car & pursue the other parties insurer for all costs. If that claim is successful your NCB should not be affected


If you acknowledge the accident to future insurers and have not claimed against the third party it seems to me that they will consider that you were at fault

Quentin

undaunted wrote: »

If you acknowledge the accident to future insurers and have not claimed against the third party it seems to me that they will consider that you were at fault

The op has no option. This incident is now on his record and will have to be disclosed to future insurers.

But it will only be a fault claim in the event of his insurer not recouping any outlay they have over this.