Rear ended - will my premiums increase?

Deastons

I was giving way at a roundabout yesterday when a car hit me from behind. The visible damage is minimal, so it's tempting to not bother claiming, but the damage to their car was significant, making me wonder if there could be underlying problems with my car that are not yet apparent.

If I do claim, will my premiums increase? Although it wasn't my fault, I'm aware that when renewing, there's always the "have you been in an accident, even if it wasn't your fault" question.

And what if problems do occur later? Is there a limit to how long after an accident you can claim?

DUTR

It's a no claim discount not a no blame discount, you should notify the insurance whether you are making a claim, there maybe underlying damage eg number plate holder broken which the lights may fail in turn failing an mot test, you can try an accident management company to deal with your claim, you still notify your insurance and the policy should state notification only or similar, your premium varies on the risk the underwriter assumes.

marlot

Bumper covers can deform in the smash and bounce back - and there can be considerable damage to the boot floor. So definately worth a check.

If the other party is going to be claiming on their insurance anyway then your accident will appear on the CUE database, so it would be unwise not to tell your insurer.

MilduraS

Unfortunately insurers are a law unto themselves. I know people who have been injured in accidents and had the other driver's insurers accept full liability yet their own insurance premiums have gone up. Insurers try to argue that if you've been in an accident then your chances of having another accident have increased. Personally I think that if you've been in one accident caused by someone else's inability to drive then you're less likely to be in another (would a lottery winner be statistically more likely to win if they played again?). That's probably why I'm not running the insurance industry though. If I was they wouldn't have posted the massive profit increases they have for last year- Aviva, £200m and Allianz £120m.

Despite the above, I would definitely take the car to your normal garage for a quick once over. If there's nothing wrong you can pay the garage for the inspection yourself. If there is a problem, send the report to your insurers and claim the repairs on insurance. The threat of increased premiums seems to make people reluctant to use insurance despite the fact that it's there for this exact scenario. Your premiums might go up in the short term but they will soon come down again. If the work is more than a few hundred pounds chances are the increased premiums will cost you less.

Sole exception to the rule- young or very old drivers who could see their already excessive premiums increased to an unaffordable level.

DUTR

MilduraS wrote: »

Unfortunately insurers are a law unto themselves. I know people who have been injured in accidents and had the other driver's insurers accept full liability yet their own insurance premiums have gone up. Insurers try to argue that if you've been in an accident then your chances of having another accident have increased. Personally I think that if you've been in one accident caused by someone else's inability to drive then you're less likely to be in another (would a lottery winner be statistically more likely to win if they played again?). That's probably why I'm not running the insurance industry though. If I was they wouldn't have posted the massive profit increases they have for last year- Aviva, £200m and Allianz £120m.

Despite the above, I would definitely take the car to your normal garage for a quick once over. If there's nothing wrong you can pay the garage for the inspection yourself. If there is a problem, send the report to your insurers and claim the repairs on insurance. The threat of increased premiums seems to make people reluctant to use insurance despite the fact that it's there for this exact scenario. Your premiums might go up in the short term but they will soon come down again. If the work is more than a few hundred pounds chances are the increased premiums will cost you less.

Sole exception to the rule- young or very old drivers who could see their already excessive premiums increased to an unaffordable level.

Actually big winners do win again if they continue to play.

barnaclebill

I was hit from behind at a roundabout in November, we exchanged details, their car looked ok but my bumper was cracked.
By the time I got home I had a text from their insurance where to take my car to be checked, a week later it was in and repaired and I had a car provided for the two days, I do not even know how much it all cost.
I called my insurer for notification only and it now shows on my renewal quote as a no fault accident, my premium has increased but my insurer said it's because of a general rise in premiums.
I have looked on comparison sites but my quote is still cheaper so I would tell your insurer and get your car checked.

Nasqueron

MilduraS wrote: »

Unfortunately insurers are a law unto themselves. I know people who have been injured in accidents and had the other driver's insurers accept full liability yet their own insurance premiums have gone up. Insurers try to argue that if you've been in an accident then your chances of having another accident have increased. Personally I think that if you've been in one accident caused by someone else's inability to drive then you're less likely to be in another (would a lottery winner be statistically more likely to win if they played again?). That's probably why I'm not running the insurance industry though. If I was they wouldn't have posted the massive profit increases they have for last year- Aviva, £200m and Allianz £120m.

Despite the above, I would definitely take the car to your normal garage for a quick once over. If there's nothing wrong you can pay the garage for the inspection yourself. If there is a problem, send the report to your insurers and claim the repairs on insurance. The threat of increased premiums seems to make people reluctant to use insurance despite the fact that it's there for this exact scenario. Your premiums might go up in the short term but they will soon come down again. If the work is more than a few hundred pounds chances are the increased premiums will cost you less.

Sole exception to the rule- young or very old drivers who could see their already excessive premiums increased to an unaffordable level.

I do agree with your view but the logic is that someone who has been in an accident is driving in an area where there are bad drivers and thus is at more of a risk of future accidents - the counter argument I guess is whether that was a one off drive (e.g. hit on holiday) vs when you were commuting or doing your regular shopping run

Marvel1

Yes it will increase.

Deastons

cjdavies wrote: »

Yes it will increase.

So should I consider suing the driver for the additional cost to me? I wasn't even moving when she hit me.

Warwick_Hunt

Deastons wrote: »

So should I consider suing the driver for the additional cost to me? I wasn't even moving when she hit me.

You can consider it but the rise you may incur will be a fraction of your alleged salary.

Deastons

barnaclebill wrote: »

By the time I got home I had a text from their insurance where to take my car to be checked, a week later it was in and repaired and I had a car provided for the two days, I do not even know how much it all cost.

I've heard nothing from their insurer (I checked on MiD and they are insured) so I guess I'll have to contact mine and have them deal with it.