Reporting accident to insurer

hmp191

Hi everyone,

 I had a minor accident which was my fault. Other vehicle was a van which drove away after the accident so I couldn’t exchange details. There is only minor damage to my car so I would imagine the van was fine but the police have been notified just in case.

I have read that I have to report this to my insurer even if I’m not making a claim, is that true? And also will it affect my premium if I report it but don’t make a claim? 

neilmcl

hmp191 said:

Hi everyone,

 I had a minor accident which was my fault. Other vehicle was a van which drove away after the accident so I couldn’t exchange details. There is only minor damage to my car so I would imagine the van was fine but the police have been notified just in case.

I have read that I have to report this to my insurer even if I’m not making a claim, is that true? And also will it affect my premium if I report it but don’t make a claim? 

Yes, and yes, although the latter can of course be somewhat negated by shopping around.

Sandtree

hmp191 said:

I have read that I have to report this to my insurer even if I’m not making a claim, is that true? And also will it affect my premium if I report it but don’t make a claim? 

Yes, though many will "forget" to

Depends... if no claim is made by either party the insurer will close the file as a non-fault claim. Some insurers don't raise premiums for a single non-fault claim is your record is otherwise spotless, others make small to modest uplifts. If you've a string of non-fault claims the impact tends to be exponential - similarly if you've a host of other black marks on your record.

Shopping around at renewal will give you the best price possible in the circumstances... there is little point pondering over if without the claim it would have been cheaper.

[Deleted User]

Was there any CCTV in the area? Might be able to get the number plate from that.

Worth getting a dashcam too. They are very cheap now, fit it yourself.

Car_54

[Deleted User] said:

Was there any CCTV in the area? Might be able to get the number plate from that.

True. But not much point since the OP said " I had a minor accident which was my fault.".

hmp191

Thanks for the replies! Like I said the accident was my fault but since the people in the van drove away when I stopped I doubt they’d try to find my details to make a claim.

This is the first accident I’ve had so was just unsure on what I had to do, I was just worried if I don’t report it to my insurance that it’ll affect me further down the line. 

neilmcl

hmp191 said:

Thanks for the replies! Like I said the accident was my fault but since the people in the van drove away when I stopped I doubt they’d try to find my details to make a claim.

This is the first accident I’ve had so was just unsure on what I had to do, I was just worried if I don’t report it to my insurance that it’ll affect me further down the line. 

We can't advise you as to whether you should stay quiet or not but clearly not doing so goes against the insurer's T&Cs and if they found out they are within their right to cancel your policy, and trust me you don't want a cancelled insurance policy on your record. The choice is yours.

nana6

 I am about to renew my insurance. Couple of years ago I scratched the side of my car and today decided to notify my insurers somewhat belatedly I know. I didn’t think that as no other vehicles were involved and I wasn’t going to have  damage repaired  it mattered.  Decided that I would have the scratches re-sprayed and also finally took  note of the advice that all accidents should be declared. So I rang insurers.  1 1/2 hours, five advisers and being cut off three times later I seem to have caused a problem since I don’t have date of the accident.  
 Before I was cut off the last time I said my only option is to cancel insurance.   So I need to start elsewhere of course I would mention the scratching up front this time any advice would be gratefully accepted. How can I be honest about an accident I can’t remember  the date of that happened two years ago

Ectophile

If the police have been notified, then you can't pretend it didn't happen. There is a risk that the other party will put in a claim, and the insurance company won't be happy if that's the first they hear of it.

hmp191

Appreciate everyone’s advice, I have now reported the accident to my insurance. Also ran the details through Compare the Market and it doesn’t seem like it’ll affect my premiums that much so that’s a big relief!