Own insurer or Third Party for non fault accident?

cjv

Just looking for some advice from anyone with experience of insurance claims.

Unfortunately I had my first accident on Friday, being hit and thrown off of my scooter by a car. My insurer has told me it is a non fault claim, they introduced me to an injury claim solicitor and I am awaiting a credit hire company to contact me (hopefully Monday) to arrange a courtesy bike while mine is repaired/replaced.

With no experience of insurance claims, It has been suggested by a friend that I go through the third party's insurer to protect my no claims/excess cost. (assuming they also see it as a non fault in my favour).

Is this the case? or is it better to do everything through your own insurer (i.e. the credit hire company)

Tom99

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Do it through your insurer, it won't affect your NCD if the other party admit liability and you will still be able to claim your excess back from the 3rd party, your insurer might do that for you.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Your renewal premium may well be a bit higher even though you were not at fault because statistically the insurance co think because you have been involved in an accident you are more likely to be involved in another.[/FONT]

cjv

Thanks Tom.

I was unaware it would not affect my no claims duration, but now it makes sense as the claim is against a third party. Shame that drivers are essentially punished financially for an accident through no fault of their own, but I guess that is how the cookie crumbles.

Tom99

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]You may find your renewal premium is not much affected but you must declare the accident whether you go through your insurer, claim directly from the 3rd party, or just fix the damage yourself.[/FONT]

cjv

I wish I could fix the damage myself, but I am expecting it may be written off which will be a shame. I bought it new about 9 months ago

Hopefully the insurance claim goes smoothly, but the most important thing is to of walked away with only moderate injuries.

I will be sure to declare it, thanks again.

FutureGirl

You might find that if your insurer pays out it will impact your no claims until they are able to recovery the money from the third party insurers, as you are still making a claim on your policy, and it's likely the excess will be payable.

Not all insurers work the same way.

cjv

Thank you FutureGirl.

My insurer has given me the option to instruct another company to handle my claim, which I have accepted. They should be calling soon to arrange recovery of my bike and also hopefully provide a hire bike until it is sorted.

I have had to get a taxi to work today and will have to do the same tomorrow, which I believe I can claim back through my injury expenses along with my 2 days of lost income from the shifts I missed, as my doctor advised no driving until I see how i react to the strong painkillers they gave me. (plus my bike is off the road)

Without going into too much detail, the card driver was doing an illegal turn across oncoming traffic, without looking to the direction I was approaching from, he drove straight into the side of me as I was passing. I am comfortable that I did nothing wrong and my insurer has said it is a clear non fault claim.

Is it normal to feel quite anxious that the third party could try to fabricate the truth to deny blame? I was thrown off the bike and hit my head pretty hard, so I was in no state to think clearly and thus did not get the details of any witnesses just the details of the other driver.

It was a very busy road and several people came to my aid at the time, an ambulance was called but not the police. I am hoping an admission of full liability will come sooner rather than later so I can stop worrying about it and just let the insurer's and solicitors deal with everything.