1 claim or several claims?

building

can you help. we have had 3 occasions where the car has been either scratched or bumped into over several months without us seeing the culprits and of course they never leave their details. do you know if this counts as one claim or several claims where we have to keep paying 3 times the excess on this? we are with norwich union. any tips?

telly-addict

.....that these will be counted as 3 separate claims, as the damage has been caused by separate incidents on different dates. And this will mean 3 separate policy excesses and 3 claims on your claims record, should you choose to make the claims.

This would affect your no claims discount, even if it is protected. If you have the same NU Direct policy as me, you are allowed 2 fault claims in a 5-year period. If you have a further claim during that period, your NCD is reduced.

Unless the damage is substantial, you're probably better off not making the claims. Unlikely to be worthwhile bearing in mind the excesses and impact on your NCD.

I can't recommend making out that the damage has all been caused in once incident. It will probably be pretty obvious to a motor engineer or repairing garage that the damage has been caused in separate incidents. You'll then be jeopardising the claim and your policy cover!