Note on windscreen

8elarus

Hi all,
Need advice and reassurance please as never claimed on insurance or been involved in any kind of accident previously. Don't judge if I sound a bit naive.

Went shopping with husband- named driver on my policy and driving at the time- my kid and my mum.

Came back to a note on windscreen saying I smashed car door into somebody's car, left a dent and they took pictures, best to settle without involving insurances, mobile number, name and many thanks. As I personally didn't recall even touching a car next to us ( or what car it was) when we parked, I googled it, found out it was a scam and I need to inform insurance company and the police.

Called insurance and then mum confessed she did open the door too wide and slammed it into a white car parked next to us. Had to ring the insurance back and change the story :mad:

As there's NO damage to our car , we don't need to pay any excess and NCB is protected this time. So at the mo, financially, even if the other person does get in touch, this isn't costing me.

I just got thinking.... Was it wise calling insurance? What if that other person has high excess to pay and they decide against claiming since they haven't heard from me? Insurance will definitely hike my premium next year now....

On the other hand, wanted to tell insurance that we barely touched the other car and there can't possibly be any 'dent' on their door, as there's no damage to our door so they're clearly exaggerating!


Anyone been in a similar situation? How did it all end?

Thanks!

Billy_Bullocks

They other party won't have any excess to pay if they claim off your policy.

forgotmyname

NCB maybe protected but your premium isnt.

You will need to declare it for upto 5 years. Do you actually have protected NCB? If not when the other party claim you may lose some of your no claims.

You could have ignored it and not told your insurer, but if the 3rd party stuck a claim in then your insurer will want to know why you failed to declare the incident.

motorguy

8elarus wrote: »

then mum confessed she did open the door too wide and slammed it into a white car parked next to us.

And its people like your mum who remind me why i avoid supermarkets and shopping centres if i can and if i really have to, i park way over at the far side of the car park.

Fantastic approach she has - whack someone elses pride and joy and then keep your head down and say nothing.

Great example to your kids too about taking responsibility for their actions.

I hope shes ashamed of herself.

dacouch

The chances of the other party not claiming from your policy in the circumstances you describe are very low.

They will be annoyed you damaged their vehicle and did not leave a note.

Make sure you declare this accident / claim to your other car Insurers.

motorguy

8elarus wrote: »

On the other hand, wanted to tell insurance that we barely touched the other car and there can't possibly be any 'dent' on their door, as there's no damage to our door so they're clearly exaggerating!

The sharp end of a door can do quite a bit of damage to another car door skin and can quite easily cause a dent.

Denial that any damage could have been done? The apple hasnt fallen far from the tree there has it?

System

8elarus wrote: »

As there's NO damage to our car , we don't need to pay any excess and NCB is protected this time. So at the mo, financially, even if the other person does get in touch, this isn't costing me.

Yes it is. The protected NCB only preserves the discount, not the quote it applies to. Just because you have protected NCB it doesn't mean your insurance won't go up if you have a claim,

Say you have protected NCB of 50%. Without the accident a quote with no NCB would be £1000, your NCB is applied so its £500 you pay. With the accident a quote with no NCB applied would be £1500. Your protected 50% NCB is applied, your insurance quote is £750.

8elarus

Thank you all for the input.

This confirms I did the right thing informing the insurance company and getting the NCB protection in the first place.

They other party won't have any excess to pay if they claim off your policy.

, thanks, I didn't realise this was the case, thanks!

Denial that any damage could have been done? The apple hasnt fallen far from the tree there has it?

So much for not judging. I'll ask my 70 year old mother (with a long list of mobility issues) why she had to open the door so wide to get out that she ended up

whacking someone elses pride and joy and then keept her head down and say nothing and if she's ashamed of herself yet

. Keep parking

way over at the far side of the car park

in the meantime, Paul.

Thanks all!

gilbert_and_sullivan

Oh good, at least one of those anonymous people who negligently (or not so) damage our cars in car parks is about to get their come-uppance.
Fortunately the insurer has already been informed making like easier for the victim here.

8elarus

Tarambor, [QUOTEYes it is. The protected NCB only preserves the discount, not the quote it applies to. Just because you have protected NCB it doesn't mean your insurance won't go up if you have a claim,

Say you have protected NCB of 50%. Without the accident a quote with no NCB would be £1000, your NCB is applied so its £500 you pay. With the accident a quote with no NCB applied would be £1500. Your protected 50% NCB is applied, your insurance quote is £750.][/QUOTE]

I meant it's not costing me anything immediately, as it would have done if I were to try and settle privately, as the note suggested. I do realise the premium will go up next year. It does regardless of any claims, that's why I shop around.

dacouch

8elarus wrote: »

Tarambor, [QUOTEYes it is. The protected NCB only preserves the discount, not the quote it applies to. Just because you have protected NCB it doesn't mean your insurance won't go up if you have a claim,

Say you have protected NCB of 50%. Without the accident a quote with no NCB would be £1000, your NCB is applied so its £500 you pay. With the accident a quote with no NCB applied would be £1500. Your protected 50% NCB is applied, your insurance quote is £750.]

I meant it's not costing me anything immediately, as it would have done if I were to try and settle privately, as the note suggested. I do realise the premium will go up next year. It does regardless of any claims, that's why I shop around.[/QUOTE]

Your or your husbands car Insurance is due for renewal on the 28th of this month.

The accident / claim is likely to make an immediate impact on that renewal.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5569541