Excess payment

gaylelkirk

I had a drunk driver crash into my house a month ago which has caused damage to the side of my property replacing render etc. A Crime reference number and her insurance details given to my insurer, but they are stating now that I need to pay the £250 excess and I am not Guaranteed to get this money back. Is this correct if she has admitted the damage and statements given to the police who saw the crash as I am clearly not at fault. Thanks

sebloak

Yes it is correct that you have to pay the excess on your policy, but as you're not at fault I would think your insurer should refund it back to you after they've recovered their costs from the other persons insurer. I had a drunk uninsured driver plough through my bay window 10 years ago, total nightmare but got excess refunded

Sandtree

If you claim off of your policy then your insurers are entitled to apply the policy terms including the application of an excess. In a clear non-fault incident where the third party have confirmed insurance in place etc some insurers will waive your excess as a gesture of goodwill however this is much more common for car insurers where "non-fault" claims are more common than Home insurers.

Assuming you haven't proceeded too far with your insurance there is also potentially the option of claiming directly off of the drivers insurance however be aware your rights are lower (eg you cannot complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service if it goes wrong) but you won't have to pay your excess. If its buildings only then its probably 50/50 which path to take however if you have contents damage too then be aware the TP insurers would only cover items value at the time of the crash (ie 2nd hand) whereas your own policy is likely to be on a "new for old" basis.

If all is above board then recovery of your excess is simple, your Home insurers may do it for you if not then you just write a letter with a photocopy of proof that the excess was paid to her insurers quoting their claims reference number (your insurers should provide) and await a cheque/bacs transfer a bit later if liability and indemnity aren't issues.