Insurance claim on non-fault

Miss165

My vehicle was recently damaged whilst parked in my work car park. 

The vehicle drove away without reporting this, however an independent witness reported this to the police who are now dealing with it. 

I suffered damage to my door, near the hinge. It's more than a scratch - the metal around the door hinge is bent & the door won't open. I reported this to my insurance and initiated a claim, however I've since been advised by friends that I shouldn't have done this as my premiums will go up. 

I understand this is likely the case unfortunately, however surely this is the correct thing to do particularly since the offender drove away so I don't have any of their details to claim from their insurance? 

My insurer has also advised I need to pay my excess which "may" be recovered from the other party. 

I am looking for any advice or assurance that I've gone the correct route. Thank you!

sheramber

Whether you claim from your insurance company or pay the costs yourself your policy will contain a requirement to notify them of  any accident.

You can tell them you do not wish to claim and but pay the repair costs yourself , if you wish. that probably depends on the costs of the repair required.

daveyjp

If you need your car fixing you have done the right thing.

Once you know the details of the other party let your insurance know and they will then sort out liability.  Premiums may go up whether you are at fault or not.

macman

What is the cost of repair vs your excess?

[Deleted User]

Any increase can be claimed back from the 3rd party. You may need to contact their insurer directly once you know who it is.

If they drove off they might be getting their insurance cancelled, but you can still claim from their insurer. Their insurer will then claim it back from them.

sheramber

Assuming the police are able to trace the driver. 

if the car is not taxed or insured it may not be possible.

Aretnap

sheramber said:

Assuming the police are able to trace the driver. 

if the car is not taxed or insured it may not be possible.

What would whether it was taxed have to do with anything?

facade

Aretnap said:

sheramber said:

Assuming the police are able to trace the driver. 

if the car is not taxed or insured it may not be possible.

What would whether it was taxed have to do with anything?

In itself, nothing.

Round here though no tax or insurance would be a 99.99% indicator that the registered keeper isn't correct, and the Police will never trace the driver.

DullGreyGuy

The impact on your premiums will be heavily dependent on if the third party is identified or not. On the basis of it being a staff car park hopefully the prospects are higher than if it were a normal public car park.

If the vehicle cannot be identified or has no insurance then a claim against your insurance would be considered a fault claim and likely to have a reasonable impact and your excess will be unrecoverable.

If the vehicle is identified and is insured then your insurers recover their outlay and it's a non-fault claim. A single non-fault claim on an otherwise good driver is likely to have a minimal to no impact but if you've had a string of claims or are a young driver etc then its likely to be more material.  In this scenario your excess would be recoverable which your insurers would assist with if you have legal expenses cover or you can self serve if you dont have it. 

sheramber

Aretnap said:

sheramber said:

Assuming the police are able to trace the driver. 

if the car is not taxed or insured it may not be possible.

What would whether it was taxed have to do with anything?

it would be one way for the police to trace the registered keeper of the car.

Similarly using insurance  details.

How would you expect them to trace them?

DullGreyGuy

sheramber said:

Aretnap said:

sheramber said:

Assuming the police are able to trace the driver. 

if the car is not taxed or insured it may not be possible.

What would whether it was taxed have to do with anything?

it would be one way for the police to trace the registered keeper of the car.

Similarly using insurance  details.

How would you expect them to trace them?

DVLA will hold who the registered keeper is for the police (or the OP's insurers) to access irrespective if the vehicle is taxed, insured or MOTed or not