Car insurance query please...

rachelleigh73

I wrote off my car in October 2019 by misjudging the depth of standing water in the dark and driving through it too quickly. Because I felt I was at fault I didn't think to claim on my car insurance which has since lapsed. I simply bought a replacement car. Somebody suggested yesterday that I should have claimed on my car insurance. I still have the vehicle so the damage can be independently verified. My question to the forum is whether they think I might have a valid claim - both for the incident itself and allowing for the time past and the lapsing of the car insurance policy in the meantime. Many thanks!

Rachel

BoGoF

How much was the car worth?
Policy excess?

If not worth much maybe not worth having an at fault claim on your record?

Your insurer may well have questions given the delay.

foxy-stoat

As long as you told your new insurers of the loss you had in October last year, and give your previous insurers a very good reason for not reporting the accident nearer the time, I do not see any issues at all.

Where has the old vehicle been since October, off the road and SORN'd?

alan_d

As post #2 above, it all depends on the value.
If a low value car, the increased premiums over the next 3 years are likely to outweigh the potential pay-out.

phill99

Most insurers have a time limit on the reporting of claims - typically 30 or 60 days from the date of the incident. You will need to look at the policy to determine this.

jimbo6977

Depends on whether this kind of incident is covered under the policy - it might well be excluded.
Check your policy booklet.

Car_54

phill99 wrote: »

Most insurers have a time limit on the reporting of claims - typically 30 or 60 days from the date of the incident. You will need to look at the policy to determine this.

Are you sure? I can't see any such condition in my policies. Would it even be legal?

rachelleigh73

With thanks to everyone who took the trouble to reply. The car wasn't high value so I suspect that not claiming is the right call - posting here has helped to confirm my thinking - thanks again!