What happens if car hit by unknown driver?

C_Mababejive

If a vehicle is parked on a public road and it is damaged by another vehicle who has made off from the scene and there is no evidence, presumably the driver of the damaged car simply contacts his or her insurers as the vehicle is insured for such eventualities?

Inevitably if they make a claim it will affect their renewal claim unless they have some kind of protected NCD product?

If the damage was of such a degree that the quoted repair cost exceeded the value of the car, what would be the possible outcome?

Thanks..

Aretnap

Yes, assuming you have comprehensive cover you can claim on your own policy, as you can for any other accidental damage, theft or vandalism the car suffers. If the car is beyond economic repair your policy will pay out its value, less your excess.

If you don't have comprehensive cover them you're largely on your own... The MIB will pay for damage caused by untraceable drivers in some circumstances, but from memory in the case where neither the driver not the car can be identified they will only pay for property damage if you also suffer serious injury (defined as a hospital.stay of several days).

C_Mababejive

Thanks,thats what i thought. It isnt me,its more by way of research ..!

Nebulous2

Some insurers will cover this type of accident without impacting your no claims. I'm pretty sure directline does.

Aretnap

Nebulous2 wrote: »

Some insurers will cover this type of accident without impacting your no claims. I'm pretty sure directline does.

The precise terms of the uninsured driver promise vary from insurer to insurer, but by and large they require the other car, at least, to be identified, and sufficient evidence that the other driver was at fault, in order for the excess to be waived and the NCD to be unaffected. Direct Line, for example, say "once we confirm that the accident was the fault of the uninsured driver" and "registration number, make and model of the other car is needed". (Linky)

If they didn't have such caveats it would open the door for people who damage their cars by reversing into walls or whatever to avoid paying their excess etc by claiming that it had been hit while parked in the middle of the night by some unknown vehicle - and it would be extremely difficult for the insurer to prove otherwise.

Nebulous2

Aretnap wrote: »

The precise terms of the uninsured driver promise vary from insurer to insurer, but by and large they require the other car, at least, to be identified, and sufficient evidence that the other driver was at fault, in order for the excess to be waived and the NCD to be unaffected. Direct Line, for example, say "once we confirm that the accident was the fault of the uninsured driver" and "registration number, make and model of the other car is needed". (Linky)

If they didn't have such caveats it would open the door for people who damage their cars by reversing into walls or whatever to avoid paying their excess etc by claiming that it had been hit while parked in the middle of the night by some unknown vehicle - and it would be extremely difficult for the insurer to prove otherwise.

That's something different - it is assuming you were there - describing it as an accident. That doesn't match the scenario posed by the OP.

The bit you need is above that - described as fair claim commitment where it says:-

" Unlike other insurers you can claim and your No Claim Discount is safe if the damage is caused by; potholes or poor road maintenance, theft from or of your car, being hit while parked, flood damage, if you hit or are hit by an animal, or hit by an object or debris (excluding vehicles)."

You still need to pay your excess,

Aretnap

Nebulous2 wrote: »

That's something different - it is assuming you were there - describing it as an accident. That doesn't match the scenario posed by the OP.

The bit you need is above that - described as fair claim commitment where it says:-

" Unlike other insurers you can claim and your No Claim Discount is safe if the damage is caused by; potholes or poor road maintenance, theft from or of your car, being hit while parked, flood damage, if you hit or are hit by an animal, or hit by an object or debris (excluding vehicles)."

You still need to pay your excess,

Fair enough, I missed that bit. That's quite an unusual feature from Direct Line - most insurers just have the uninsured driver promise of they have anything along those lines at all.

Craig1981

My car was hit whilst parked last year - 9 years no claims, reduced to 3 years (as anything over 5 years is not recognised) - fought hard over this but to no avail. was insured with Directline at the time - 3 months later, they brought out their "hit whilst parked campaign, so frustrating!

MiB wont be of any assistance, as they need to identify the other car.