Retrospectively Claiming on Car Insurance for Repair Work

Matthewskeew

Hi all, I'll explain my situation, summarised in the title. I couldn't find any relevant advice or precedents elsewhere.

Last week I noticed a (serious) fault with my car's steering and took it to my local, reputable garage. They started work and realised that the damage must have been caused by a collision with my vehicle while it was parked. This was not immediately obvious as there's no visible damage to the bodywork - the damaging impact must have been applied solely through the wheel. While undertaking the work, the cost of the repair has increased to £1400.

The nature of the damage is such that it could not have happened while I was driving - I would have noticed immediately - but I was parked, unfortunately, where there is no CCTV coverage and no chance of people's 'door cams' catching it. Clearly I am unable / highly unlikely to trace the third party.

I would like to, if possible, claim the cost of the repair on my car insurance, which is fully comprehensive, but doesn't describe a situation similar to mind in the terms and conditions or FAQs.

Normally, of course, the correct route would be to notify my insurer ASAP after the damage occurred, allow them to specify their preferred garage, get quotes for the repair ,etc., but due to the explained circumstances I was not aware and could not do this at the time, and I of course intend to pay my garage for the cost of the repair work that they have already started.

Does anyone have comparable experience of anything similar? Could I claim retrospectively and could I expect my insurer to cover the cost, or to refuse payment point blank?

The cost of the repair would not make the car a write off, as a reasonable valuation of the car in its prior and/or repaired state is £3000. This is probably on the low side following the increase in second hand car prices over the past couple of years.

If my insurer does refuse to pay, do I have a good chance at resolution with the ombudsman? I really have no idea myself due to lack of experience.

I realise my insurance premium will increase if I claim, but this is a no fault incident even if the third party can't be traced. I have almost 4 years of no claims (I have never made an insurance claim) and my excess is £550 total, so I believe claiming would be financially beneficial both short and long term.

Thanks very much to anyone taking the time to read through this and perhaps offer some advice.

Matthewskeew

I meant to add; I realise I should inform my insurance provider whether or not I claim, but I believe I have a solid case to say I did not know there was an incident, and put the repair work down simply to wear and tear. 

This is, of course, the genuine explanation of why I didn't report it in the first place and had the garage start repair work prior to any thoughts of insurance claims.

If the consensus is that I won't be able to claim back the cost, I'd rather have the small consolation of not having my insurance premium increase.

CliveOfIndia

Hmm, a tricky one.  The obvious sticking point is going to be proving that the damage was indeed caused by a collision.  It seems a little odd that an impact heavy enough to cause serious damage would not leave any trace of damage on the surrounding bodywork.  Be that as it may, I would anticipate that, at the very least, the insurance company would require a report from a mechanic to confirm that the damage was caused by a collision, rather than wear & tear.

As for claiming retrospectively, I'm afraid I can't offer any advice on that.

For what it's worth, though - is it really worth claiming?  £1400 bill, less the £550 excess means you'll have to pay £850.  Then add in the loss of no-claims bonus, plus the increased premiums for the next few years as you've made a claim ... (and the fact that it's a "no-fault" claim is pretty much irrelevant - the bottom line is that you've made a claim).

It's your call, of course - but I suspect that overall it's borderline as to whether it's worth trying to claim anyway?

photome

CliveOfIndia said:

Hmm, a tricky one.  The obvious sticking point is going to be proving that the damage was indeed caused by a collision.  It seems a little odd that an impact heavy enough to cause serious damage would not leave any trace of damage on the surrounding bodywork.  Be that as it may, I would anticipate that, at the very least, the insurance company would require a report from a mechanic to confirm that the damage was caused by a collision, rather than wear & tear.

As for claiming retrospectively, I'm afraid I can't offer any advice on that.

For what it's worth, though - is it really worth claiming?  £1400 bill, less the £550 excess means you'll have to pay £850.  Then add in the loss of no-claims bonus, plus the increased premiums for the next few years as you've made a claim ... (and the fact that it's a "no-fault" claim is pretty much irrelevant - the bottom line is that you've made a claim).

It's your call, of course - but I suspect that overall it's borderline as to whether it's worth trying to claim anyway?

OP would have to pay £550 not £850

I would say its worth trying to claim, one claim isnt going to mage a huge difference to the renewal premium

wether or not the insurance will believe the story and pay out is another matter but only one way to find out

CliveOfIndia

photome said:

CliveOfIndia said:

Hmm, a tricky one.  The obvious sticking point is going to be proving that the damage was indeed caused by a collision.  It seems a little odd that an impact heavy enough to cause serious damage would not leave any trace of damage on the surrounding bodywork.  Be that as it may, I would anticipate that, at the very least, the insurance company would require a report from a mechanic to confirm that the damage was caused by a collision, rather than wear & tear.

As for claiming retrospectively, I'm afraid I can't offer any advice on that.

For what it's worth, though - is it really worth claiming?  £1400 bill, less the £550 excess means you'll have to pay £850.  Then add in the loss of no-claims bonus, plus the increased premiums for the next few years as you've made a claim ... (and the fact that it's a "no-fault" claim is pretty much irrelevant - the bottom line is that you've made a claim).

It's your call, of course - but I suspect that overall it's borderline as to whether it's worth trying to claim anyway?

OP would have to pay £550 not £850

Whoops, sorry, yes of course!  My mistake.

Matthewskeew

Thanks your your response Clive,

The nature of the damage was surprising. Given the location at a crossroads on a steep hill, it's easier to imagine a presumably heavy vehicle turning or reversing at low speed and applying one hell of a force directly through the wheel, to the steering system.

I did some calculations based on the initial repair estimate of £1000 and it was borderline - after estimated (average) premium increases over 3 years I reckoned myself ~£200 better off if I did claim - hardly worth the potential effort.

Now that the car's been up on the ramp, fully diagnosed, and repairs costed at £1400, the potential £600 saving (positively weighted towards the short-term) it seems a bit more worthwhile, although either way it's a cost I could really do without.

Also, I understood the excess as the amount I have to pay, not the amount of discount - I could be mistaken but I believe this is the case, so my initial cost with a successful claim would be £550 rather than £850 (or the full £1400).

As you also point out, the unclear factor is the retrospective nature of the claim. Obviously I can explain, honestly, why I didn't immediately report it and go through my insurer, but whether the insurer accepts that is anyone's guess, unless someone here happens to have been in a similar situation before.

Matthewskeew

photome said:

OP would have to pay £550 not £850

I would say its worth trying to claim, one claim isnt going to mage a huge difference to the renewal premium

wether or not the insurance will believe the story and pay out is another matter but only one way to find out

Thanks for your input, photome. I fear you're correct that there may only be one way to find out, and hope that the premium increase isn't too drastic.

I'm doing my best to quantify the chance of success because if the insurer are certain to refuse (and Ombudsman take their side too) I can avoid even this - and planned to, if the repair cost £1000. Of course there's also a chance the insurer goes out of their way to declare my car is worth less than my estimate and declare it a write off, which clearly I'd like to avoid.

I do reckon the garage may be happy to communicate their findings, which should support my case, but again asking them to go out of their way to do this makes more sense if it's a reasonable claim.

lincroft1710

Without any apparent external damage to your car, I would be very vary of trying to claim as the insurance co. may well cry "fraud". And that you do not want!

Ganga

Is it possible that you have hit a pot hole and caused the damage and whilst not asking you to try anything fraudulent that scenario is believable.

Car_54

Matthewskeew said:

photome said:

OP would have to pay £550 not £850

I would say its worth trying to claim, one claim isnt going to mage a huge difference to the renewal premium

wether or not the insurance will believe the story and pay out is another matter but only one way to find out

I do reckon the garage may be happy to communicate their findings, which should support my case, but again asking them to go out of their way to do this makes more sense if it's a reasonable claim.

If the garage is indeed reputable, writing a report is not ‘out of their way’. But you should expect to pay them a reasonable charge for it.

Matthewskeew

Thanks Lincroft and Ganga - I've had similar thoughts to both your comments over the past hour. I know it was a collision because it couldn't have happened while I was driving, without me noticing, but the insurance company no evidence of this besides my claim.

I think it's a case of accepting my misfortune and paying for the repair, as there are several reasons for the insurer to refuse payment. The only way it could go otherwise is to somehow find CCTV footage of a vehicle approaching the area without damage and leaving with damage, which is unlikely even if it was worth the police time to check said footage over a 36+ hour period (which of course it isn't).

Oh well - thanks everyone, it's good to get some other opinions rather than just sitting here overthinking everything on my own.