The modern approach by some (most?) insurance companies/brokers is to get you to chase the other party's insurance company and miss out the middle-man (the one you paid, remember?). Again....short and curlies!!
It 'shouldn't' effect your premiums, but many insurances will put it in as a 'claim' ... try to get something in writing as you wish to have 'no loss' over this ...
I'm no insurance boffin, but always thought that the idea behind insurance companies increasing the premium after a "no fault claim" would be from this kind of backward, but logical, logic.
Same car, mileage , same person driving, same house in the same area, the only differing factor being where the car is driven. Driver A regularly travels left from the house and drives into an area that is full of boy racers, drunk drivers, and OAPs'. Driver B travels right into an area of middle aged drivers. Driver A is obviously a much riskier proposition, and more likely to have to make a claim or require insurers services in the future. Sadly it does make sense.
Still a massive PITA, shame all these "no win, no fee" companies are around as it offers an easy way for people to try and make a claim for something that happened years ago. For this reason alone I would inform my insurance of any incidents that happen, no matter how big or small.
Same car, mileage , same person driving, same house in the same area, the only differing factor being where the car is driven. Driver A regularly travels left from the house and drives into an area that is full of boy racers, drunk drivers, and OAPs'. Driver B travels right into an area of middle aged drivers. Driver A is obviously a much riskier proposition, and more likely to have to make a claim or require insurers services in the future. Sadly it does make sense.
Still a massive PITA, shame all these "no win, no fee" companies are around as it offers an easy way for people to try and make a claim for something that happened years ago. For this reason alone I would inform my insurance of any incidents that happen, no matter how big or small.
discomania
Well-Known Member
Bloody hell, there is still one of them on the road, thought all of that shape had all fallen apart, hate those cars with a passion.
nobber
Well-Known Member
A mystery shopping exercise by the AA found that drivers who declared they had previously made one no-fault claim on their cover were quoted 30% higher premiums by a small number of insurers, while those with two no-fault claims to declare were typically charged between 10% and 50% more than those with none.
The motoring group posed as a driver and used price comparison website Compare the Market to get quotes.
So, only a small number of insurers on a price comparison website? Any time I've use a price comparison web site the quotes ranged from extortionate to very expensive anyway, I would never use one to buy insurance, I've always talked to people, you would be surprised how little you pay if you ask for a reduction or better price.
I don't know about you guys but my premiums go up or down every year anyway, usually up but its not due to none fault claims.
nobber
Well-Known Member
The idea of getting your own insurance company involved is to have someone watching your back and a legal team fighting your corner, not to mention things like hire cars while your vehicle is off the road, cover for children's car seats (which have to be disposed of after a knock) etc etc..
My last none fault claim had me a hire car , storage costs for my written off car, recovery costs, legal costs and a whole host of other unforeseen problems that arose through the other party changing their story when they thought they had a leg to stand on, they didn't and after a long battle ended up accepting responsibility, but you have to keep driving it forward and stand firm.
wattfield
AKA Dirk Diggler
First thing I would say is do not hand your pride & joy over to a repairer chosen by the insurance company, some of them wouldn't recognise a proper chassis never mind worked on one. I would take it to a Land Rover specialist and ask for an estimate, but don't send the estimate to your insurer. If they can fix it for £500, go back to the insurer and say you'll settle for £750. If they can fix it for £750, go for £1000. If they won't go for that, go the whole insurance route, involve your own insurer, demand a hire car etc etc.
nobber
Well-Known Member
The second option will require caution as well, the more loss to them the more chance of the vehicle being written off so apply common sense , they might threaten write off to scare you into dropping the case.
wattfield
AKA Dirk Diggler
True, but I'd remind them of the value of a good Defender these days, and what it would cost to write it off!
My previous Defender was written off due to chassis damage, and the original settlement was ridiculously low - bottom book price for a 90, despite the professional rebuild, galvanised chassis, Disco 200tdi etc. I found a few ads for similar vehicles, emailed the assessor, then phoned them and spoke to someone who knew Landys. They matched my estimate on the spot.
LUKBENPHI
Well-Known Member
Once they receive the estimate from where ever you take it and depending on the insurer they may offer you a cash in lieu deal instead of writing it off or repairing it.
From experience when a lady knocked my motorbike over it was more than the repair cost once I had submitted the estimates for the repair and new helmet. But this is a bit of a grey area and once you've accepted it its considered binding even if its arranged over the phone.
From experience when a lady knocked my motorbike over it was more than the repair cost once I had submitted the estimates for the repair and new helmet. But this is a bit of a grey area and once you've accepted it its considered binding even if its arranged over the phone.
Tim4x4
Well-Known Member
As said previously you do not have to accept that the vehicle is uneconomical to repair and settle for a cash payment.
As the third party you have the right to demand that the vehicle is repaired what ever the cost, some discretion is needed on your part where the cost may be disproportionate to the true vale of the vehicle.
The company you want to make the repair is up to you and not the insurance company, again some discretion is required. An example where it would be out of order to demand the repair would be: Lets say your friend has a body shop and you want it repaired by that company because you know they will do a proper job, they estimate the cost to be £2000.00 but having achieved three estimates (usual for an insurance company to ask for three estimates) the other two are around £500.00 then be prepared for a fight to be able to get the repair completed at you friends company.
As the third party you have the right to demand that the vehicle is repaired what ever the cost, some discretion is needed on your part where the cost may be disproportionate to the true vale of the vehicle.
The company you want to make the repair is up to you and not the insurance company, again some discretion is required. An example where it would be out of order to demand the repair would be: Lets say your friend has a body shop and you want it repaired by that company because you know they will do a proper job, they estimate the cost to be £2000.00 but having achieved three estimates (usual for an insurance company to ask for three estimates) the other two are around £500.00 then be prepared for a fight to be able to get the repair completed at you friends company.
