More damage advice on the roadcar

[Blatman]

So she will lose out whether or not the guy is insured and whether or not she claims on her insurance.

Not quite true, I don't think... If she pays for it herself and the insurance remains "unused" (IE she formally withdraws her claim), then she can decalre no accidents and no claims with a clear conscience. Insurers will only penalise if you are found to be at fault, which is why you *never* admit liability...

Worth exploring is, if the insurance pay out, is there an option to re-imburse them their costs in return for a restoration of the NCD. I did this once some years ago on a knock for knock accident. Total refund, £75, in exchange for 5 years NCD. Well worth the paperwork...

[JonnyBoy]

a wealth of knowledge as always sir!

[DavidR]

So she will lose out whether or not the guy is insured and whether or not she claims on her insurance.

Not quite true, I don't think... If she pays for it herself and the insurance remains "unused" (IE she formally withdraws her claim), then she can decalre no accidents and no claims with a clear conscience. Insurers will only penalise if you are found to be at fault, which is why you *never* admit liability...

I hate to disagree with such an esteemed source but my policies have been loaded for having accidents declared not for being at fault.  

And as the insurance company seem to know about Johnny's GF accident she can hardly now withdraw it and say it never happened.

When I appealed my policy ruling I was told that the insurance company was entitled to load my policy if I had been involved in someone claiming on their insurance even if it wasn't my policy that was claimed on or my fault.

Maybe there's a rule for me and a rule for other people .. .  I have often thought that...

DAvid.

[Blatman]

Disagree to your hearts content. I won't be offended. We all have different experiences of these sorts of things, and Jonnyboy would welcome the input I'm sure. Knowledge is power...

I'm sure different underwriters have different rules. I had a no fault claim on my Sierra 3 or 4 years ago. Neighbour hit my car whilst it was parked. The *first* letter I wrote explained that I expected to not be penalised for a no fault accident as the other insurers would be covering all costs, including my out of pocket expenses. IMO, these include any policy loadings that may result.

If you are found to be not at fault, you should NOT be penalised. If the insurers have not actually been caused a loss, then equally you should not be penalised. With no admission of liability, how can they justify penalising anybody. They have to decide against you before punishing you. I'd be talking to the Ombudsman if I were in your shoes. And of course as my claim was 3 or 4 years ago, things may have changed since. However I still have a difficulty with a customer being penalised for a no fault, no cost to your insurer, accident...

[adhawkins]

Just as an aside to this, I've had companies decline to quote me on the basis that I had 3 not fault accidents to declare. 1 of them was when Luned's car was parked outside the house and someone ran into it!

Bunch of cowboys some of them.

Andy

[Mrs Westy]

should probably add that the car was parked and unattended when driven into.. so was she still involved in an accident?

Yes because they ask about "accidents, claims or losses".  

Have you thought about approaching a third party recovery agent such as helphire?  It's a bit like a no-win-no-fee solicitor type scenario which I disagree with in principle but it might be worth it for you.  They only take on accidents which they feel they can win, but the deal is that it doesn't go through the insurer - they approach the third party directly, you don't pay your excess and they hire you a similar car while yours is being repaired (they make their money on the hire car part which of course is added to their bill to the 3rd party).  You pay a £10 insurance policy against them being unable to claim from the 3rd party.  Ordinarily it's not the sort of thing I'd suggest but may be worth investigating for you?

Edit: our premiums have always gone up even after non-fault accidents.  Apparently it's because statistics show that you are more likely to be involved in another incident if you have had an incident within 3 years, even if the first one wasn't your fault...lies damn lies and statistics - but it gives them something to hang their hat on and wring more money out of you.