Untraced driver hit my car while it was parked - can I claim from MIB

TC77

Hi, I found out that my car while parked in my street was hit by another car, and they left their plastic wheel arch and some glass so definitely another car. I'd called out my break down people as made a noise when I moved it a few inches, and only when they came did we see the arch etc under my car and some scratched to my car and wheel, and damage underneath to steering arm so hit it quite hard. I doubt there is any CCTV. I am reporting to the police, but insurers say unless they can find a registration number won't do anything.

 I contacted the MIB but they said they also have to have the registration no although I thought they were meant to cover untraced drivers but apparently this is only for personal injury if no reg.
Does this sound right? 

I wasn't going to claim from my insurers but until in a garage I won't know the extent of damage and been quoted could be £500 and I have £100 excess. I heard something about a no fault claim but I understand only if insurer claims all money back... is this the case for all insurers, and is it worth me making a claim direct to the MIB, but does claiming from my insurer invalidate this . I do need to get the work done as my car is undriveable as it is.
Many thanks for all advice, 

bluelad1927

MiB is to cover uninsured losses. If you have insurance that covers the loss ie fully comprehensive  then you cannot claim from MIB

TC77

Thanks  for clarifying.

cw8825

it also needs to be confirmed as uninsured. unfortunately the car that hit you may have been insured
without a reg your basically just asking them to hand out cash

Aretnap

cw8825 said:

it also needs to be confirmed as uninsured. unfortunately the car that hit you may have been insured
without a reg your basically just asking them to hand out cash

MIB will cover accidents involving unidentified vehicles to an extent - the untraced drivers agreement and the uninsured drivers agreement are two different things. However if the vehicle is unidentified then they will only cover property damage if the accident also involved serious injury (defined IIRC as a hospital stay of at least several nights).

Presumably the logic is that otherwise everybody who damaged their car by reversing into a tree would just claim that it been hit by an untraceable car that vanished into the night. Whereas not many people are going to put themselves in hospital for a week just to claim for a cracked bumper...

As above another condition is that they will not pay for any damage which is covered by your own policy, so if the OP has comprehensive cover he will need to either claim on that, or take it on the chin and paying for repairs himself if it's fairly minor damage.

TC77

Thank you makes total sense and hadn't thought of people claiming when they've caused damage themselves but can see a potential problem!

DullGreyGuy

TC77 said:

Thank you makes total sense and hadn't thought of people claiming when they've caused damage themselves but can see a potential problem!

Unfortunately many think of insurance fraud as a victimless crime in reality the MIB is paid for by insurance companies that sell motor and so in reality we all pay the price for it