Insurance claim + quotes, please help

EMRider

Hi, I was involved in an Road Traffic Collision in May last year and the claim is almost finished, it is being settled as a 80/20 split in my favor meaning that I am only 20% at blame for the incident, I am now trying to insure vehicles but I am not sure what to say with regards to the claim because when trying to get quotes on gocompare it has 2 main options, 1 option being I am at fault and the other stating I was not at fault.

Since the other driver is majority to blame do I say I was not at fault? If I say I am at fault my insurance rises by another £2000+ , if I use compare the market then there is a split liability option but it makes it sound as though it is 50/50 which my case is not and it still adds £1000+ to my premiums.

For clarification I am 18 and about to get my first car on the road, I have ridden bikes on the road since 16.

Long story short, in the collision I was riding my 125cc motorbike, I was pulled out on by the 3rd party causing me to go over the bonnet of the car.


Any questions then feel free to ask as anything is appreciated

paddyandstumpy

20% fault still means fault.

EMRider

I got that far matey, but I cannot understand why when making an insurance quote why they will not let you state the percentage. Thus reducing the pricing... Insurance really does my head in and it frustrates the hell out of me because it is actually cheaper at this rate to get caught without insurance... I understand that this is a VERY bad idea.

If anyone has tips to lower my premiums let me know.

paddyandstumpy

I empathise with you to a degree, but you're 18, so the highest risk from an insurance perspective, and you already have a fault (albeit partial) claim against you.

Not the prettiest insurance picture to be painting...?

EMRider

I understand where your coming from but the fact that I was going 15mph at the time, taking caution e.t.c. I think it wasnt my fault at all but I am not a legal Representative at the end of the day... But I shoudnt have to pay well over £4000 to insure a car surely? I am a sensible person, have a secure job at an engineering firm it just seems unfair but it isnt a perfect world.

Quentin

To answer your original question you must disclose this as a fault claim.

"Fault" does not mean blame in this context. Insurers use "fault" to mean that your insurer had to pay out because of the claim.

You can turn this into a no fault claim by reimbursing your insurer what they had to pay (which will be 20℅ of all of the third party's costs as well as 20℅ of your costs.)

You can get 80% of all your uninsured losses (eg your excess) back now off the third party if you haven't already.

(How secure your job is makes no difference to your risk profile )

ThinkingOutLoud_2

OK so you have had a claim.

But as I understand you, the real issue here is not how new insurers are quoting if you had an at fault or partially at fault accident (that is their prerogative). The question seems to be whether you were in some way / partially to blame or not.

Take look at scenario 2 in the following. http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/publications/technical_notes/motor-insurance-fault-claims-case-studies.html

If you can win the argument that you were not at fault (as you state) then in theory...

I think that starts with challenging your insurer with why they consider you at fault. If that seems wrong and they won't change it; then you can follow their formal complaints process (see your policy). If that fails, then you can refer it to the FOS (as their complaints process will also outline).

This may take time but as the premium impact may be significant for you, it may be worthwhile.

TBagpuss

youare at fault, so you can't declare it as a no-fault claim.

You can try callin the insurers direct and explaining the situation to see ifthat changes the quote at all, or it may be worth you speaking to a broker rhatehr thanusing the online services - they will have a claerer understanding f how the situation may be seen. If you know what the alue ofthe claim was that will laso make a difference.