Starting a car insurance claim but didn't complete it

phorner1983

Hello,
Last year my wife took our car to a concert. The car was parked in the official event car park but someone managed to break a rear passenger window and steal a bag off the back seat. 

The next day I went on my car insurance website and wanted to see what my claim options were in the event the window replacement was expensive. I started a quote, realised there wasn't anything for me and just closed the browser window. I then just paid a local company myself to fix the window. 

A few weeks later I got an email saying that the insurance company had seen I started a quote but didn't complete or submit it so they had closed it down for information.

This year whilst renewing my insurance they have now stated it as a claim, said it was my fault and impacted my no claims discount bonus. How on earth does that happen? How can they penalize me for making a claim that I never actually made. I'm now told I have to state this 'claim' on all future quotes?? It just doesn't sit right with me at all. The question you are asked is 'have you made any claims in the past 5 years'. It doesn't say 'have you made or started any claims in the past 5 years'.

Has anyone else had this?

mgfvvc

The normal wording is something like any claims or incidents, so you normally have to declare an incident, even if you don't claim. Having said that, for most insurers a glass claim doesn't affect your NCD, so unless the "claim" included the stolen items (I'm not sure the car policy would even cover that?), then it shouldn't normally affect your NCD. I think you need check your policy, then discuss with them that it was a "glass claim" and, if they won't budge, pursue a formal complaint.

FWIW, I have never declared glass claims and my renewal shows "no accidents claims or losses in the last 3 years" although I had the windscreen replaced a few months ago.

facade

The question is more like "have you had any accidents, made any claims or suffered any losses in connection with a motor vehicle?"

Unfortunately, you have suffered a loss, and alerted your insurance company to it.

This has changed your risk profile, and alerted them that the vehicle is likely to be parked where it will be broken into. (Concerts with known timings are easy pickings for thieves, they also watch gym car parks, and break into your car after you walk in, as you won't be back until you have had your money's worth at the gym.)

452

mgfvvc said:

The normal wording is something like any claims or incidents, so you normally have to declare an incident, even if you don't claim. Having said that, for most insurers a glass claim doesn't affect your NCD, so unless the "claim" included the stolen items (I'm not sure the car policy would even cover that?), then it shouldn't normally affect your NCD. I think you need check your policy, then discuss with them that it was a "glass claim" and, if they won't budge, pursue a formal complaint.

FWIW, I have never declared glass claims and my renewal shows "no accidents claims or losses in the last 3 years" although I had the windscreen replaced a few months ago.

It's not a glass claim though is it? The incident is a theft from motor vehicle and it looks like the OP is stuck with declaring it for the next five years. 

Scrapit

phorner1983 said:

Hello,
Last year my wife took our car to a concert. The car was parked in the official event car park but someone managed to break a rear passenger window and steal a bag off the back seat. 

The next day I went on my car insurance website and wanted to see what my claim options were in the event the window replacement was expensive. I started a quote, realised there wasn't anything for me and just closed the browser window. I then just paid a local company myself to fix the window. 

A few weeks later I got an email saying that the insurance company had seen I started a quote but didn't complete or submit it so they had closed it down for information.

This year whilst renewing my insurance they have now stated it as a claim, said it was my fault and impacted my no claims discount bonus. How on earth does that happen? How can they penalize me for making a claim that I never actually made. I'm now told I have to state this 'claim' on all future quotes?? It just doesn't sit right with me at all. The question you are asked is 'have you made any claims in the past 5 years'. It doesn't say 'have you made or started any claims in the past 5 years'.

Has anyone else had this?

Yep, had this. It's like getting robbed twice. I wouldn't have told them if I was not claiming.

Car_54

facade said:

This has changed your risk profile, and alerted them that the vehicle is likely to be parked where it will be broken into.

  ... and with tempting items in view on the back seat.

phorner1983

Thank you for the responses. I think a chat with the insurer is what is needed to see what I can do. 

Scrapit

phorner1983 said:

Thank you for the responses. I think a chat with the insurer is what is needed to see what I can do. 

Very luttle is suspect. If you renew with them you will pay. If you jump ship they will put it on the database and everyone else will know. And then you will pay.