Insurance question

[Singh]

I've been a named driver on my parents policy for nearly three years now. But I've decided its time I got my own insurance and started building my NCB!

I also used to drive a car under my parents policy three years ago but at this point I wasn't a named driver. I was covered by Norwich Union under an 'Open Driver' policy. It entitled anyone to drive the car with the policy holders permission for up to 10 hours a week.
When I was on this 'Open Driver' policy I had two non fault accidents.

The first accident someone smashed into the back of me and wrote of his Punto, badly. His insurance fixed up the A6 and gave me a brand new A6 courtesy car for a month. I doubt this was cheap but the other driver admitted all fault and I didn't make any personal injury claims.

The second one is a little more complicated. An elderly gentleman had just picked up a new car that had been adapted for him. (He was disabled) He wasn't used to the controls and went into the back of me as I waited at the lights. The damage wasn't much. His two numberplate screw bolt caps indented the back of the newly repainted A6. So I told him not to worry about it, but he took my details anyway admitting fault.

A few months later I got a call from his insurance company asking me how much the damage was. I told them not to worry about it and I had already sold the car on. But the person on the phone was adamant they gave me something so when they asked how much it would have cost to repaint/fix the bumper I said about £140. They told me if I accepted £140 as full and final settlement then they would send me a cheque for that amount first class post. Ermm, okay. I can only imagine they wanted to do this to stop me making any whiplash claims in the future, which I wasn't going to do anyway.

So, do I declare these incidents? Because I can't for the life of me remember when this all happened, and how could I find out? I'm sure the insurance company would be quick to bring these two non fault incidents up to refuse a payout but I would rather they did at the time I start my policy.

[Oli18]

Hi Amar,

I am afraid you do have to mention them...even if they're not your fault. If you don't your insurance could be invalidated.

Annoyingly, i also had someone go into the back of my old rover 600 about 5 years ago.

Even though they admitted liability and their insurance paid out £1.4k for the Rover, it still affected my premiums...people often don't think it will but it does.

Without wishing to sound condescending but how old are you again? I remember you were the youngest 8 driver i knew when you first joined (i believe 18) but this given that you've got 2 claims and you're driving the S/A8, it may be worth staying on as a named driver but getting yourself on as a primary driver on a small hatch if you've got another vehicle in the family?!

...hate to ask what they'll quote you for your premium

Oli

[Singh]

Hi Oli, thanks for the advice. I'm 20 now but am in the process of doing a deal on a fairly good Polo for myself. Then I'm taking myself of the '8s policy and once the cambelt/waterpump/thermostat has been done the new buyer should collect in Feb. I'm defiantly going to declare the above but just wandered if they had actually been recorded seeing as I wasn't a named driver at the time? I wonder if there is a way to find out...

[Dezzy]

I think the questions they now ask are "Have you had any accidents, claims or losses in the last 12 months" so if you're honest then the answer would be yes i've been involved in a non fault accident, and tell them the details if your required to.

It must depend on the insurer but I had a accident similar to yours Amar although I was at fault, at a round-about pulled up looking right it was clear so I pulled off only to find when I looked forward that the car in front was waiting for no one, I jumped on the brakes and rubbed the back bumper. No damage to my 9000 and light scratches to the Neon. I admitted fault and 2 years later the Neon owner had not supplied a repair bill and the case was closed. Although I had admitted fault there was no claim actually made so my insurance company had no losses, because of this my no claims haven’t been affected and my premium has stayed the same.

[Trophy885]

HI Amar,
Oli is right, I'm afraid insurance companies are real quick to pull the rug to avoid paying out, that would then leave you potentially exposed to legal action.
Sadly the insurers have us all by the short and curlys! I feel it's best to avoid giving them cause to squeeze said short and curlys!
Be level with them, and avoid unnecessary pitfalls bud!!
Best Regards,
Steve