Non fault accident causing my premiums to increase because I informed the insurance company
Hi, Someone bumped onto my car at a roundabout during heavy snow days. I found that there is a light crack on the rear bumper. I informed my insurers about this and given the other drivers car registration. When I received the renewal letter for the insurance, to my shock I found my insurance increased 5 fold. When I checked with the insurer they told me there is a claim on my insurance and it is not settled. When I told, it was not my fault and I raised the claim, I was told unless it is settled it is your fault. I have asked them (Asda insurance) to close the claim, I have to call two different subsidiaries many many times to close the claim. When I apply for a new insurance there is a question which asks : "Are you involved in any accident no matter it is your fault or not,made a claim or not" and when I put yes to this question, my insurance is still substantially more. Do I need to say yes for this question and pay a huge amount as insurance for none of my fault?
7 Replies
Different companies use different ways of underwriting car insurance quotes which means that you will see different quotes as different insurers have different ways of assessing the risks associated with a car insurance application.
You will notice that when filling the application form for a car insurance quote, you will be asked if you had any accidents within the last 5 years whether it is your fault or not. Some insurers will still use a non-fault accident as a negative sign and consequently quote you higher.
This should not be the case if the accident was not your fault but the problem is that most insurers want people with a good driving record, that is, an unblemished history. The moment you have something worth mentioning on your car insurance application form, you need to expect higher premiums unfortunately.
[Migrated from previous post 549 dated 09 Sep 2009]
Non-fault accident increasing premiums
Hi,
I'm 18 years old have just bought an Audi A3 1.8 Turbo Sport, with modifications. I've put my mum as a named driver to lower my premium and managed to get £2,600 but she was involved in a nasty accident a few years ago (wasn't her fault and the courts have proven it) but my premium has risen a lot since her non-fault accident to £3,300. Does anyone know why? Or does anyone know how to get the money difference back?
Thank you,
Owen.
[Migrated from previous topic 10391 dated 02 Apr 2009]
Non fault accident but third party run away, insurer now wants me to pay excess for car repair
I had a non fault car accident but the third party run away!! I didn't manage to write his registration number. Now my insurer is saying that they will put it as a fault claim and I need to pay the excess to get my car repaired. Is this normal? I have a comprehensive cover. Thanks for your help.
[Migrated from previous topic 11723 dated 08 Dec 2010]
Well unfortunately if you don't have any proof that the accident was not your fault, the insurer will process it as a fault accident and you will be liable for the damages. This means that you will have to pay the excess under your comprehensive car insurance policy and the insurance company will pay the rest if the repair costs are more than your current excess. You will also lose all or part of your no claims bonus (depending on how much NCB you've got) and your renewal quote may very well go up next year.
If you have called the police on scene when you had the accident, that may help in proving you're not at fault or if you have any independent witnesses, then you could use that as proof as well.
[Migrated from previous post 1423 dated 08 Dec 2010]
RE non fault car accident;while at a junction a woman drove her car right into my car and it has been written off by her insurance company
she admitted fault and her insurance co.made a reasonable offer which we have accepted,(over the phone).We were then asked to send in the v5 and the mot document.i have not owned the car long and still only have the v5 slip and no mot certificate as yet.(in order confirm it has an mot and to then get a duplicate i need to have the full v5,as i need an number that appears on it.)I am insured and i had to show my insurance doc when i collected the hire car they have given me.what should i do now?i feel i have been very reasonable with them,(no medical claim was put in despite the force of the crash,my sons head was battered off the side window etc,and the impact caused the woman to break her wrist)can they refuse payment if these 2 items are not sent to them?Thank you in advance for any help you can give,this is worrying the life out me.
[Migrated from previous topic 12501 dated 11 Nov 2012]
If I understand the problem correctly, the two documents you need are V5 (Registration Certificate) and the MOT certificate, right? Why don't you complete the V5 slip that you have and send it off to DVLA? You'll get the registration certificate in your name then which would enable you to retrieve the MOT.
As far as I know, insurers are able to find the MOT status of a vehicle through DVLA. Just tell them you've just bought the car and it wasn't you who did the MOT for the vehicle and they'll be able to do the necessary.
I wouldn't worry about them not paying up because from what you've said, you haven't done anything illegal. You haven't got the right documents at the moment but those can be acquired easily.
[Migrated from previous post 1951 dated 14 Nov 2012]
thanks for taking the time to answer,turns out they just sent me the cheque and i have to send the v5c slip to them with a note.
[Migrated from previous post 1952 dated 24 Nov 2012]
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