Car Insurance Claim

Anagran

Looking for a bit of advice as I do not really understand insurance.

I had a minor accident where I bumped a parked car. Both cars have what looks to be a little minor cosmetic damage.

I was not going to bother getting it fixed as it is not bad and I didn't want to lose no claims etc, but the other car owner has asked for my details to pass onto his insurance.

Am I right in thinking that their insurance will get in touch with mine? Will I then have to pay my excess?

If so, am I as well claiming for the damage to my car if I am losing my no claims and excess anyway? Or would it be in my favour in any way to keep driving round with the damage?

Also should I inform my insurance? I wasn't going to as I was not going to claim for my car, but do I need to inform them about the other car? Is that my responsibility? What if the other person never bothers going through the insurance?

But if I am thinking of claiming for my car I obviously will need to tell them. What I don't want to happen is for me to claim for my damage because I might as well get it fixed, but then the other person does not bother and I end up paying my excess just to get my car fixed, as I doubt the repair will even be as much as the excess.

Is it okay to wait until the insurance gets in touch with me about the other car to let them know my car was also damaged, or is that wrong?

I don't want to do anything that is wrong, not allowed or possibly dishonest, but just not sure of the rules.

Sorry if these are silly questions. I am clueless!!

EdGasket

You are supposed to report all incidents to your insurer.

Having said that you could leave it and see what happens. Then if your insurer contacts you you can just say that as the damage was insignificant you didn't think the other person was making a claim.

If you have the other person's details, why not contact them and see if they are claiming or not? If they are then tell your insurer

Quentin

If repairs to your car will come to the same price as your excess then you obviously shouldn't make.a claim!

(Check your policy wording but it's likely you will have no excess to pay for the repairs to the third-partys car)

If you were to blame it's unlikely the third party will put up with the cosmetic damage you caused so work on the assumption that they will be putting in a claim either directly or with their own insurance

Car_54

You should tell your insurer, but make it clear that you will not be claiming for your own car.

Then you will have fulfilled your obligations, but saved your excess.

EdGasket

You only pay the excess if you have your own car repaired through the insurance. You would however lose your NCB if the other party makes a claim and then you'd have to declare the incident when getting insurance for up to the next five years (only 3 years with some insurers).

Quentin

EdGasket wrote: »

You only pay the excess if you have your own car repaired through the insurance. ......

As already posted this isn't always the case, and the OP does need to check his policy ( unless of course he already knows his policy has an excess to be paid for any claim)

EdGasket

True there are a few measly insurers that make you always pay an excess but generally you don't pay an excess on TP claims.

Anagran

Thanks for taking the time to reply, your comments are very helpful. I will have a closer look at my policy about the excess. I just assumed I would have to pay it in the event of any accident that was my fault. If that may not be the case then that would great. Will see what it says and then will contact insurer tomorrow.