Claim that I hit parked car months ago

Aylesbury_Duck

brineybay wrote: »

If you personally think I did it or that my posts seem 'dodgy' or whatever then that's honestly okay. I didn't come on here to claim that I'm a superhuman driver who has never made a mistake. I just don't find the length of time involved (seven months before I received this claim) or the 'proof' (photographs of two different cars in two different places) to be very convincing.

But I would genuinely like to know, for the sake of argument, what will happen if my ex-insurer decides I am liable for this claim? Presumably this outcome would increase my future car insurance premiums? I also presume I would have to contact my new insurance company to declare this?

Your advice appreciated. Thanks

Don't get me wrong, I don't think your posts are dodgy, it's just they weren't the total denial you'd expect from someone who knew for certain they weren't to blame. I think your version of events is more believable than the other party's, but whilst you aren't entirely sure you didn't have an accident there is little point reporting it as a fraudulent claim. All you can do is reject the claim as strongly as you can, disputing that the evidence presented does not show you were involved.

Unfortunately, if the insurer does decide you were liable, then it will be an at-fault claim which may cost you some of your NCB and will probably raise your premiums for 3-5 years. The good news is that if your NCB is protected, your premiums won't rise by much and some shopping around will negate the rise anyway.

Car_54

m0bov wrote: »

Did the other party go onto your property to take a photo?

What possible difference would that make?

brineybay

Aylesbury_Duck wrote: »

Don't get me wrong, I don't think your posts are dodgy, it's just they weren't the total denial you'd expect from someone who knew for certain they weren't to blame. I think your version of events is more believable than the other party's, but whilst you aren't entirely sure you didn't have an accident there is little point reporting it as a fraudulent claim. All you can do is reject the claim as strongly as you can, disputing that the evidence presented does not show you were involved.

Unfortunately, if the insurer does decide you were liable, then it will be an at-fault claim which may cost you some of your NCB and will probably raise your premiums for 3-5 years. The good news is that if your NCB is protected, your premiums won't rise by much and some shopping around will negate the rise anyway.

I'm glad you understand where I'm coming from, and I appreciate your input. I agree that I would not consider this a fraudulent claim. Either I really did damage the other car, in which case I'll accept my responsibility, or I didn't. I will firmly appeal to my ex-car insurer, but ultimately it's their decision now based on the third party's claim vs my claim.



The reason for my lack of "total denial" regarding this claim is that I would like to think of myself as a reasonable person who will consider the evidence presented to me. In this case, I don't find the evidence presented to be very convincing, nor do I have any recollection or knowledge of this happening. However, there is at least an element of plausibility to it, in that the road where the alleged incident happened is near to my house and I pass by there on rare occasions. I also accept that I'm fallible and that there is a possibility that I could have scraped / dented someone's car without realising, even if it's unlikely.



As you've said, it seems the worst case scenario is that I lose my NCB and my premiums could rise for a few years. Obviously not ideal but if that's all then I can live with it. I appreciate your comments and at least this has put my mind at ease over the matter. I was just quite surprised as this came out of the blue.

foxy-stoat

Best call your existing insurers and tell them there is a pending claim - give them all the circumstances and dont tell them you may of hit the car but cant remember - just give them the facts that you have. You dont want this to cause you another issue if you were to have an accident.

Takmon

brineybay wrote: »

Although it is difficult to remember exactly my movements on the day in question (it being 7 months ago) I was out a few times that day seeing family and friends, as it was a weekend.

Have you got an Android phone?, if so you may be able to look back on Google Maps to see where you traveled that day.

missile

Takmon wrote: »

Have you got an Android phone?, if so you may be able to look back on Google Maps to see where you traveled that day.

After 7 months?

longwalks1

I wasnt having a go at you or your posts OP, was just a comment on you didnt deny it, or say it definately wasnt you that was all. You'd need to reword your emails/leteers to the insurance company/whoever otherwise it could be viewed as you saying 'you wasnt sure if you done it or not'


Theres a huge difference in how the 2 are read, especially by insurance companies

Takmon

missile wrote: »

After 7 months?

Mine shows my phones movements everyday since early 2014 and i didn't specifically enable it either. Most people don't realise that by having location on it builds up a history of where you have been.

born_again

missile wrote: »

After 7 months?

Yep.. Mine starts 1 Sept 2013
As long as you have a android phone... Might even work on other phones so long as you have a gmail account and tracking is enabled.

Really handy or scary depending on how you look at it.

How to view your location history in Google Maps
Launch Google Maps.
Tap the more button (three horizontal lines) on the top left corner.
Tap your timeline.
Tap the calendar icon to view a particular day.
Swipe left or right to switch months.

Tap a date to view your location history.

brineybay

britishboy wrote: »

I wasnt having a go at you or your posts OP, was just a comment on you didnt deny it, or say it definately wasnt you that was all. You'd need to reword your emails/leteers to the insurance company/whoever otherwise it could be viewed as you saying 'you wasnt sure if you done it or not'


Theres a huge difference in how the 2 are read, especially by insurance companies

Thanks for your advice, it's appreciated! I'll be firm in my email to the car insurance company.