Can my Car Insurance company reverse the fault decision after paying out?

SD_666

Hi there,
First post on the forums :-)
So after being told repeatedly by my insurers that the 3rd party involved in a collision with me in January had accepted full liability, that there would be no effects on my insurance and I having been paid out. 2 months later when I thought it was all settled, Privilege (my insurers) have contacted me to say that the 3rd party's insurance are now saying it was a 50/50 fault and that the case will be settled as such.

Can my insurers go back on what they have told me, having settled the matter with me previously?

The details: I was involved in a collision in January where a driver cut a corner on two "Turn right" filter lanes, entering my lane and hitting the front nearside corner of my car. We stopped, I took her details, which she was hesitant to give, and images of the damage to both cars, but there were no witnesses who stopped and no camera footage. I also went online and noticed that her car tax was due at the beginning of the month (a week earlier).
I informed Privilege Insurance (my insurers), sent pictures of the road layout, photos of the junction and of the damage etc. in Turn they gave me a hire car while my car was assessed and despite it only being a slight dent in the wing and paint scuffs to the bumper, wrote off my 2007 civic. They informed me with the words "its good news the 3rd party's insurance have admitted 100% liability so there will be no effects to your insurance" (or very similar) and it was confirmed on several later phone calls. They paid out for the value of the car and I bought it back.
Fast forward just over 2 months and my company rang me yesterday stating that the 3rd party's insurance are now refuting the blame and that while the case had been settled with me, privilege was still waiting to be paid by the 3rd Party's insurance and unless I can bring witnesses or camera footage to them, the case will be settled as 50/50.

1) Can they do this, having stated on their phone records to me that it was a none fault claim? could this not be seen as a breach of contract?
2) is there any way I can find out when the 3rd party bought their road tax (I have a sneaky feeling it hadn't been renewed as she was acting cagey)?
3) I have comprehensive & protected no claims, but obviously as a fault accident it will still affect my future insurance quotes. Will the change in fault effect anything else like the hire car charges etc with regards to me personally?

Many thanks. 

AdrianC

1. They've paid. They will pay whatever happens. This is now about whether they are reimbursed by the other insurer. If they aren't, then that goes on your record as "fault", simply because having your policy has cost them money.

2. Whether her car was taxed or not is irrelevant. Forget about it.

3. No, everything will still be settled as it was - with the possible exception of your excess, and your future premiums.

DaveF327

Moral of the story: ALWAYS have a dashcam running.