Third party claim against me but no damage to either vehicles 20 April 2022 at 10:08AM in Insurance & life assurance 12 replies 286 views

Benzo27

Few weeks ago I was driving when a vehicle suddenly emerged from the front. I had to reverse back as they wouldn’t budge, although they should have because it would have been safer.

Well, I was reversing in the narrow street. Extremely slow speed. Probably 1 or 2 mph. 

Unfortunately I accidentally bumped into a parked car on the side. I found a spot and parked my car immediately and the car owner came out. 

He was furious, and I don’t blame him. I stayed there, I didn’t run off. He inspected his car properly and even touched all areas. I also inspected his as well as my own car.

There was no damage, no scratch no dent. Nothing at all! I apologised and he said ‘you nearly hit my car!’ Again I acknowledged and I apologised. 

The car owner just left the spot and went back into his property. I waited for a while he didn’t come out so I thought it must be fine. (Stupid of me, not to take pictures immediately though). 

As, now my insurer got in touch saying a claim has been made and it is that place. Although the claimant has provided the wrong date. 

I’m now extremely worried. I’ve been up feeling anxious all night. I’m always extra cautious when I drive, but this had to happen. 

What could the consequences be? As again I believe there was no damage at all, but knowing my area quite well. False car claims have always been the norm. 

Of course as I hit his car he had the right to get it checked, but I’m stressed it might end up worse. 

[Deleted User]

Did you inform your insurance about this at the time? Did you provide the owner with your insurance details?

Did you take photos at the scene showing no damage etc?

If you don't have any evidence, it could well be a try it on from them for some more work to be covered, the question would be whether the insurer will accept the cost of an investigation e.g. into your car (lack of) damage and if they match up with the claim the other guys is making. For a small sum e.g. a respray, I imagine they will pay out

Sandtree

Ultimately you hit their parked car and would be liable for any damage that has been caused. Without photographic evidence its all going to be hard... on the basis you say the area was checked and was undamaged that means any damage they are claiming for was caused in the incident and just wasnt spotted at the time or happened more recently and they are pinning it on you if the other case was a hit and run.

There is little you can really do other than inform the insurers of your version of events, including that the date is wrong, provide photos of the area of impact on your vehicle and offer to allow them to inspect it.

Generally its easier to defend against pre-existing damage because it shows signs of aging than subsequent damage. Your insurers ultimately will make a commercial decision on if its worth defending a claim without significant evidence or is cheaper to just settle a low value third party claim. 

Assuming they pay out it would count as a fault claim and would impact your NCD if you 1) have any and 2) dont have it protected. Ultimately this is why we buy insurance and so nothing to worry about unless you knowingly were fraudulent on your application. 

Benzo27

Sandtree said:

Ultimately you hit their parked car and would be liable for any damage that has been caused. Without photographic evidence its all going to be hard... on the basis you say the area was checked and was undamaged that means any damage they are claiming for was caused in the incident and just wasnt spotted at the time or happened more recently and they are pinning it on you if the other case was a hit and run.

There is little you can really do other than inform the insurers of your version of events, including that the date is wrong, provide photos of the area of impact on your vehicle and offer to allow them to inspect it.

Generally its easier to defend against pre-existing damage because it shows signs of aging than subsequent damage. Your insurers ultimately will make a commercial decision on if its worth defending a claim without significant evidence or is cheaper to just settle a low value third party claim. 

Assuming they pay out it would count as a fault claim and would impact your NCD if you 1) have any and 2) dont have it protected. Ultimately this is why we buy insurance and so nothing to worry about unless you knowingly were fraudulent on your application. 

I have no photographic evidence. My car did have a few old marks and scratches. But just a day after my car did get damaged. It had nothing to do with this incident as it wasn’t there and in the morning when I checked nothing was there.

It looked like a damage was done by a vehicle reversing into my car. 

But either way, I got it repaired as well as most of the old damage, and I do not plan to make any claim. 

Benzo27

Deleted_User said:

Did you inform your insurance about this at the time? Did you provide the owner with your insurance details?

Did you take photos at the scene showing no damage etc?

If you don't have any evidence, it could well be a try it on from them for some more work to be covered, the question would be whether the insurer will accept the cost of an investigation e.g. into your car (lack of) damage and if they match up with the claim the other guys is making. For a small sum e.g. a respray, I imagine they will pay out

No I didn’t. I honestly wasn’t aware I had to as no damage was caused. I wish I did now reading stuff online. 

Also, wish I took photographs straight away. 

I do not aim to make any claims. So no idea what’ll happen. 

frederick1950

You keep repeating ' no damage was caused ' but for all you know there could have been damage behind the panel/bumper , depending what  was hit .
He may have had the vehicle inspected and because you have no evidence you will probably just have to accept whatever you are presented with .
If you didn't inform your insurer within a reasonable time it also doesn't reflect well on you.
Just let your insurer deal with it , you can expect to lose two years no claims bonus and be considered a higher risk for the next few years.

Benzo27

frederick1950 said:

You keep repeating ' no damage was caused ' but for all you know there could have been damage behind the panel/bumper , depending what  was hit .
He may have had the vehicle inspected and because you have no evidence you will probably just have to accept whatever you are presented with .
If you didn't inform your insurer within a reasonable time it also doesn't reflect well on you.
Just let your insurer deal with it , you can expect to lose two years no claims bonus and be considered a higher risk for the next few years.

It didn't hit the bumper areas, just one side. They have claimed damage and I'm surprised they gave the wrong date and couldn't provide a time for the incident (which I could). I've let them know and they've said it'll be passed through, they will most likely get someone to inspect the vehicles to which I agreed (although my car does have some old marks, I'm sure they can pick out any old or new damage). 

I was told it wouldn't affect my no claims, but my premium would be affected.

frederick1950

At the end of the day you admit you hit them .
 I was only pointing out that lack of an external dent or lack of any paint damage doesn't mean there isn't any damage behind the panel. 
At one time I once worked for a bodyshop and regularly encountered damage once things were dismantled.
As you aren't making a claim on your car they don't really need to inspect yours if you acknowledge that you actually hit him as it just pushes up costs even more .
 

lisyloo

Do ŷou have an alibi for the date he said it happened?
e.g. train ticket or credit card purchases elsewhere?

Benzo27

lisyloo said:

Do ŷou have an alibi for the date he said it happened?
e.g. train ticket or credit card purchases elsewhere?

No I don’t. But the claimant gave the wrong date. I enquired about the time they must have put on, the claimant hadn’t mentioned the timer either, nor did they mention what exact damage was caused in the claim. 

I provided my insurer with the correct date, and time (not exact) but in between the incident had happened. 

Benzo27

frederick1950 said:

At the end of the day you admit you hit them .
 I was only pointing out that lack of an external dent or lack of any paint damage doesn't mean there isn't any damage behind the panel. 
At one time I once worked for a bodyshop and regularly encountered damage once things were dismantled.
As you aren't making a claim on your car they don't really need to inspect yours if you acknowledge that you actually hit him as it just pushes up costs even more .
 

Well maybe. The claimant hasn’t provided the insurers any details about the damage. Just made a claim. 

Oh right, no idea why but my insurance providers want to get my car inspected too.