Scratch on door

sarahTT

I've somehow managed to scratch the left back door of my car by touching a concrete post next to our garage, the post is also ours and showed no sign of my attack. The scratch is long but not deep and barely visible from say, 10ft or so. Hubby's bought some touch-up paint and it looks almost as new.

Yet I've heard that even such small incidents should be reported to the insurance co. Hubby says nah, and I'm not keen to do that as the main effect could well be a rise in premium upon renewal. The T&Cs don't explicitly say anything about what sort of accident/incident has to be reported. So what to do?

GrumpyDil

Unless you are worried that your concrete post is likely to put a claim in then this is one of those situations where I wouldn't notify my insurance company.

MyRealNameToo

sarahTT said:

I've somehow managed to scratch the left back door of my car by touching a concrete post next to our garage, the post is also ours and showed no sign of my attack. The scratch is long but not deep and barely visible from say, 10ft or so. Hubby's bought some touch-up paint and it looks almost as new.

Yet I've heard that even such small incidents should be reported to the insurance co. Hubby says nah, and I'm not keen to do that as the main effect could well be a rise in premium upon renewal. The T&Cs don't explicitly say anything about what sort of accident/incident has to be reported. So what to do?

Ultimately its your choice, your policy will normally state you have to inform them of all incidents as soon as practicably possible and even if not at renewal you will be instructed to check all details are correct which will include a list of losses irrespective of if you claimed or not. 

Many people won't admit it, most will get away with it, a small number will be caught and have their insurance void. A policyholder of a former insurance firm was still paying back the circa £60,000 he owned for not declaring a prior accident and then having a fairly serious accident with a motorcyclist... that doesnt include whatever the cost was to repair their own car. 

sarahTT

Many thanks for answering!

Well, the post won't complain... or else! And I am not sure that this was/is an "accident". It's certainly an "incident" but as I said the T&Cs of my insurer don't say anything about reporting these (they mention the word "incident" once WRT vandalism but that's it). So does it all boil down to the definition (if there's one) of "accident"?

MyRealNameToo

sarahTT said:

Many thanks for answering!

Well, the post won't complain... or else! And I am not sure that this was/is an "accident". It's certainly an "incident" but as I said the T&Cs of my insurer don't say anything about reporting these (they mention the word "incident" once WRT vandalism but that's it). So does it all boil down to the definition (if there's one) of "accident"?

An incident can be intentional or accidental - if you are saying you deliberately hit the post thats a different matter but it appears the damage was the result of an accident and you are just trying to split hairs. 

The answer stands, at renewal you are obliged to report it if not before, up to you if you do or dont, just dont come here looking for sympathy if you are in the minority who's fraudulent actions get caught. 

WellKnownSid

MyRealNameToo said:

sarahTT said:

I've somehow managed to scratch the left back door of my car by touching a concrete post next to our garage, the post is also ours and showed no sign of my attack. The scratch is long but not deep and barely visible from say, 10ft or so. Hubby's bought some touch-up paint and it looks almost as new.

Yet I've heard that even such small incidents should be reported to the insurance co. Hubby says nah, and I'm not keen to do that as the main effect could well be a rise in premium upon renewal. The T&Cs don't explicitly say anything about what sort of accident/incident has to be reported. So what to do?

Ultimately its your choice, your policy will normally state you have to inform them of all incidents as soon as practicably possible and even if not at renewal you will be instructed to check all details are correct which will include a list of losses irrespective of if you claimed or not. 

Many people won't admit it, most will get away with it, a small number will be caught and have their insurance void. A policyholder of a former insurance firm was still paying back the circa £60,000 he owned for not declaring a prior accident and then having a fairly serious accident with a motorcyclist... that doesnt include whatever the cost was to repair their own car. 

What was the nature of the 'forgotten' accident that the policyholder failed to declare?

MyRealNameToo

WellKnownSid said:

MyRealNameToo said:

sarahTT said:

I've somehow managed to scratch the left back door of my car by touching a concrete post next to our garage, the post is also ours and showed no sign of my attack. The scratch is long but not deep and barely visible from say, 10ft or so. Hubby's bought some touch-up paint and it looks almost as new.

Yet I've heard that even such small incidents should be reported to the insurance co. Hubby says nah, and I'm not keen to do that as the main effect could well be a rise in premium upon renewal. The T&Cs don't explicitly say anything about what sort of accident/incident has to be reported. So what to do?

Ultimately its your choice, your policy will normally state you have to inform them of all incidents as soon as practicably possible and even if not at renewal you will be instructed to check all details are correct which will include a list of losses irrespective of if you claimed or not. 

Many people won't admit it, most will get away with it, a small number will be caught and have their insurance void. A policyholder of a former insurance firm was still paying back the circa £60,000 he owned for not declaring a prior accident and then having a fairly serious accident with a motorcyclist... that doesnt include whatever the cost was to repair their own car. 

What was the nature of the 'forgotten' accident that the policyholder failed to declare?

Can't remember off hand now, it was moderate damage they'd caused to another vehicle and settled the claim privately. When the vehicle was taken in for inspection for the AD there were signs of recent bodywork repairs. When questioned why they hadn't declared it they straight away confessed rather than claiming it hadn't been in an accident or such. They said the bloke down the pub said he'd be a moron to mention it as an insurer would never be able to find out about it. 

Of all the policyholder non-disclosure and void insurance cases I dealt with the vast majority the policyholder ultimately just tells us either being totally up front from the outset or through fairly basic questioning techniques. My personal favourite one though was the guy who included in his description of the accident that he'd had 3-4 joints just before going for a drive but that he was totally fine as he won't drive after 6 joints. 

WellKnownSid

MyRealNameToo said:

WellKnownSid said:

MyRealNameToo said:

sarahTT said:

I've somehow managed to scratch the left back door of my car by touching a concrete post next to our garage, the post is also ours and showed no sign of my attack. The scratch is long but not deep and barely visible from say, 10ft or so. Hubby's bought some touch-up paint and it looks almost as new.

Yet I've heard that even such small incidents should be reported to the insurance co. Hubby says nah, and I'm not keen to do that as the main effect could well be a rise in premium upon renewal. The T&Cs don't explicitly say anything about what sort of accident/incident has to be reported. So what to do?

Ultimately its your choice, your policy will normally state you have to inform them of all incidents as soon as practicably possible and even if not at renewal you will be instructed to check all details are correct which will include a list of losses irrespective of if you claimed or not. 

Many people won't admit it, most will get away with it, a small number will be caught and have their insurance void. A policyholder of a former insurance firm was still paying back the circa £60,000 he owned for not declaring a prior accident and then having a fairly serious accident with a motorcyclist... that doesnt include whatever the cost was to repair their own car. 

What was the nature of the 'forgotten' accident that the policyholder failed to declare?

Can't remember off hand now, it was moderate damage they'd caused to another vehicle and settled the claim privately. When the vehicle was taken in for inspection for the AD there were signs of recent bodywork repairs. When questioned why they hadn't declared it they straight away confessed rather than claiming it hadn't been in an accident or such. They said the bloke down the pub said he'd be a moron to mention it as an insurer would never be able to find out about it. 

Of all the policyholder non-disclosure and void insurance cases I dealt with the vast majority the policyholder ultimately just tells us either being totally up front from the outset or through fairly basic questioning techniques. My personal favourite one though was the guy who included in his description of the accident that he'd had 3-4 joints just before going for a drive but that he was totally fine as he won't drive after 6 joints. 

Last time someone drove into me, my insurer’s repairer told me “oh I can see you’ve picked up some scratches here here and here - are there any other things you’d like us to look at, we’ll get them all done for you at the same time” 😀

How things have changed!

35har1old

sarahTT said:

I've somehow managed to scratch the left back door of my car by touching a concrete post next to our garage, the post is also ours and showed no sign of my attack. The scratch is long but not deep and barely visible from say, 10ft or so. Hubby's bought some touch-up paint and it looks almost as new.

Yet I've heard that even such small incidents should be reported to the insurance co. Hubby says nah, and I'm not keen to do that as the main effect could well be a rise in premium upon renewal. The T&Cs don't explicitly say anything about what sort of accident/incident has to be reported. So what to do?

How do you no the post caused the scratch it could have been there already and touching the post drew you attention to it.
In the past red cars had a tendency to fade in parts and if you where to respray the vehicle would you have to report this to the insurance given the car wasn’t involved in a accident?
Every time you get a puncture would this be reported to the insurance given this is a accidental occurrence?

WellKnownSid

35har1old said:

sarahTT said:

I've somehow managed to scratch the left back door of my car by touching a concrete post next to our garage, the post is also ours and showed no sign of my attack. The scratch is long but not deep and barely visible from say, 10ft or so. Hubby's bought some touch-up paint and it looks almost as new.

Yet I've heard that even such small incidents should be reported to the insurance co. Hubby says nah, and I'm not keen to do that as the main effect could well be a rise in premium upon renewal. The T&Cs don't explicitly say anything about what sort of accident/incident has to be reported. So what to do?

How do you no the post caused the scratch it could have been there already and touching the post drew you attention to it.
In the past red cars had a tendency to fade in parts and if you where to respray the vehicle would you have to report this to the insurance given the car wasn’t involved in a accident?
Every time you get a puncture would this be reported to the insurance given this is a accidental occurrence?

"Yeah, is that my insurance company?  Great - my seven year old got into a rage this morning and has damaged the car.  Again, yes, yes this is the 796th time I've called you - yes it's autism and permanent brain trauma through neglect as a baby, yes he does it at least six times a day, I know, I know, I get that but someone on a forum told me I needed to let you know".

MyRealNameToo

WellKnownSid said:

MyRealNameToo said:

WellKnownSid said:

MyRealNameToo said:

sarahTT said:

I've somehow managed to scratch the left back door of my car by touching a concrete post next to our garage, the post is also ours and showed no sign of my attack. The scratch is long but not deep and barely visible from say, 10ft or so. Hubby's bought some touch-up paint and it looks almost as new.

Yet I've heard that even such small incidents should be reported to the insurance co. Hubby says nah, and I'm not keen to do that as the main effect could well be a rise in premium upon renewal. The T&Cs don't explicitly say anything about what sort of accident/incident has to be reported. So what to do?

Ultimately its your choice, your policy will normally state you have to inform them of all incidents as soon as practicably possible and even if not at renewal you will be instructed to check all details are correct which will include a list of losses irrespective of if you claimed or not. 

Many people won't admit it, most will get away with it, a small number will be caught and have their insurance void. A policyholder of a former insurance firm was still paying back the circa £60,000 he owned for not declaring a prior accident and then having a fairly serious accident with a motorcyclist... that doesnt include whatever the cost was to repair their own car. 

What was the nature of the 'forgotten' accident that the policyholder failed to declare?

Can't remember off hand now, it was moderate damage they'd caused to another vehicle and settled the claim privately. When the vehicle was taken in for inspection for the AD there were signs of recent bodywork repairs. When questioned why they hadn't declared it they straight away confessed rather than claiming it hadn't been in an accident or such. They said the bloke down the pub said he'd be a moron to mention it as an insurer would never be able to find out about it. 

Of all the policyholder non-disclosure and void insurance cases I dealt with the vast majority the policyholder ultimately just tells us either being totally up front from the outset or through fairly basic questioning techniques. My personal favourite one though was the guy who included in his description of the accident that he'd had 3-4 joints just before going for a drive but that he was totally fine as he won't drive after 6 joints. 

Last time someone drove into me, my insurer’s repairer told me “oh I can see you’ve picked up some scratches here here and here - are there any other things you’d like us to look at, we’ll get them all done for you at the same time” 😀

How things have changed!

We're going back a fair time here... haven't personally managed claims in nearly two decades however have done plenty of work in the claims space if not personally managing the claims. 

In principle in your case had we been the insurer of the guy that drove into you then we would have looked at the repair invoice when the third party insurer tried to recover their outlay from us. Assuming you were rear ended and we spotted that the invoice covered respraying the front wing we'd ask for an explanation of how that was accident related. Assuming they admitted it wasnt and they were just doing you a favour then we'd pay what we considered was a reasonable sum for the work that was accident related leaving your insurer with an outstanding outlay. In principle that would mean the claim on your policy remains a fault claim because they've been unable to recover the outlay. 

Things are different if there are just minor scratches on the damaged panel or close to it on the neighbouring panels. In most cases the damaged panel will be resprayed in full and blended into the neighbouring panel so minor scratches will just be covered anyway. 

There is always an element of you get what you pay for, bottom of the barrel firms will do exactly what is required by the policy, middle market may go a bit beyond and top tier insurers often will go way beyond but your premiums are vastly higher to start with. For example when a Hiscox policyholder lost their Rolex overboard whilst sailing the insurer hired divers to try and retrieve it because it was an heirloom from his father. A mid tier insurer would have checked new and secondhand prices and paid the higher (which would have been the new one in this case). A bottom of the barrel would have wanted much more evidence and probably settled on secondhand price factoring in likely wear given the insured was unable to provide any recent images to show the condition.