Accident where not claiming and NCB

IvyFlood

Hoping for some advice please.

My husband went into the back of someone this morning. No one was injured and very minimal damage to both cars - it was just a bump. My husband and the driver exchanged details and he has reported it to our insurance provider - Admiral. He said it was just for information purposes as we aren't planning to make a claim but they have said that due to the Highway Code, we automatically lose 2 years off our NCB whether we claim or not. Is this correct? I thought it was only affected if you make a claim?

Username03725

Highway Code? Where does that touch on the administration of motor insurance policies?

The non-glib answer that your insurers now know that your husband has had an accident, which will increase his premiums as he's gone from being a driver who doesn't have accidents to one who does. That shouldn't affect the NCB; I'd be on the phone back to them to ask exactly how not making a claim affects the NCB as opposed to the premium, and can they point to which paragraph in the HC stipulates this.

Car_54

The call centre person to whom your husband spoke seems to have been especially ill-informed.

IvyFlood

So I just spoke to them and obviously they cant say too much but the chap said if someone has been 'rear ended' they will make a claim and so that is why it would reduce. It sounded as if they've already started the process except he can't confirm so wouldn't give me a straight answer when I said if the other party doesn't claim and we don't claim it wont be reduced. Expecting some bad post... :-(

facade

I suspect that what has happened is that the person who has been run into the back of is claiming from your husband's insurance. 

So there will be a claim against your husband, although he didn't make it. (He has made it technically, as the third party claims against your husband, and his insurer deals with it, as they are paid to do.)

IvyFlood

facade said:

I suspect that what has happened is that the person who has been run into the back of is claiming from your husband's insurance. 

So there will be a claim against your husband, although he didn't make it. (He has made it technically, as the third party claims against your husband, and his insurer deals with it, as they are paid to do.)

Yes you are correct, I understand it now. My husband did say he'd pay for any damage but I suspect the other party wants to go through insurance... surely he'll still have to pay his excess? Or would that be recoverable as we were at fault? 5 years ago a van went into the back of me at 60mph and my car was a write off. Obviously I claimed but I recall still having to pay my excess!

Sandtree

IvyFlood said:

Hoping for some advice please.

My husband went into the back of someone this morning. No one was injured and very minimal damage to both cars - it was just a bump. My husband and the driver exchanged details and he has reported it to our insurance provider - Admiral. He said it was just for information purposes as we aren't planning to make a claim but they have said that due to the Highway Code, we automatically lose 2 years off our NCB whether we claim or not. Is this correct? I thought it was only affected if you make a claim?

Admiral call centre staff used to be fairly reasonable...

The NCD will be lost if either party make a claim against your policy not just you. Most insurers in these types of scenario will open a claim to record the details and then leave the file open for 3-6 months to see if there is any approach from the third party at all. If there is they have to deal with it, if there isn't then they will close the file (but would have to reopen it should a claim appear at a later date).

Whilst the file is open it will impact the NCD theoretically but it only becomes practical if your policy renews between now and when the file is closed for non-activity. 

Highway Code is certainly some urban myth they've heard flying around the call centre.

IvyFlood

Sandtree said:

IvyFlood said:

Hoping for some advice please.

My husband went into the back of someone this morning. No one was injured and very minimal damage to both cars - it was just a bump. My husband and the driver exchanged details and he has reported it to our insurance provider - Admiral. He said it was just for information purposes as we aren't planning to make a claim but they have said that due to the Highway Code, we automatically lose 2 years off our NCB whether we claim or not. Is this correct? I thought it was only affected if you make a claim?

Admiral call centre staff used to be fairly reasonable...

The NCD will be lost if either party make a claim against your policy not just you. Most insurers in these types of scenario will open a claim to record the details and then leave the file open for 3-6 months to see if there is any approach from the third party at all. If there is they have to deal with it, if there isn't then they will close the file (but would have to reopen it should a claim appear at a later date).

Whilst the file is open it will impact the NCD theoretically but it only becomes practical if your policy renews between now and when the file is closed for non-activity. 

Highway Code is certainly some urban myth they've heard flying around the call centre.

Our renewal is due 29th April 2023 so lets hope that file gets closed! Not looking forward to the increased premium however...