Car insurance question I can’t answer!! Help!

A claim is a claim wether it is your fault or not, moreover you have to include any accidents that do not result in a claim.

Be careful about medical conditions if you have a claim the company can check your medical history, that includes every time you go to your GP. If you forgot to declare something they may not pay out for vehicle damage.

Previous claims, there is a central register of claims some companies even check before they accept your proposal, others will check later if there is a claim, again they may not pay out.

My insurance quote had increased so I went on 'go compare' and everything that came up was more expensive, and most were companies I'd never heard of! My increase was about 25% so it seems I got off lightly! I had to make a small change, undoing a change made last year which had saved me about £15. I thought my quote might go up more than that but phoned in some trepidation. It went up £2.50! Happy days!

For Tanith - you've had lots of good advice, but here's a link to Money Saving Expert. www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/car-insurance/

Oh, and their general weekly free newsletter is great, many topics covered, so worthwhile for everyone (in UK).

We renewed with LV again this year despite a premium hike. I used the comparison websites and they were all there or thereabouts on price. They are a brilliant company to deal with if you have an issue and that counts for a lot.

Sadly not, Lemontart. You are obliged by law to notify your insurance company if you have been involved in an accident. I have had this happen twice, with two different companies. Three years ago a vehicle ran into the back of my car, and the driver wanted to pay for the repair himself. He did so, very promptly. I notified my insurer, and up popped a 'no fault claim' . I argued with them, but evidently this is part of insurance broker's calculations for premium costs. I was so annoyed at having to pay slightly more on my next year's policy that I wrote to my M.P. My insurance company had paid out nothing to either party, but I had a legal obligation to notify them. My M.P. didn't reply, and the Insurance Ombudsman, when I rang to attempt to clarify the legality of insurance companies charging the customer in such circumstances, said 'That's what they do'.

Surely it doesn't count as a claim if the fault was on the other side and the repairs made through their insurance. It's only a claim if it came off your policy.

Last year a woman hit my car and drove off. I managed to catch up with her and get insurance details, and reported it to my insurers. I found when completing an online application for insurance this year that the accident flagged up as a 'No fault claim, third party emerging from side road'. You may find the same - everything seems to be logged and you may not need to remember when it was.

I have been with Sheila's Wheels for ages. Every year I do my due diligence and every year their offer is the best for what I want. Their customer service is lovely, a couple of years ago I phoned to report that a van had passed me too close on a narrow road and ripped off my wing mirror. I didn't want to claim, just report it. The first comment made was "goodness are you alright?" then really helpful information about what I could do if I needed to claim after I had got a repair quote.

Auntieflo

*Deedeedum*, I tried the NFU last year, and were told that we were too old! 80 and 83 at the time.
This year we are with Sainsbury's.

We tried to go for NFU but due to a query over eyesight despite passing DVLA tests were refused. Using a comparison site we chose Sainsbury's. The quote was far cheaper for comprehensive than others though they had restrictions on mileage and usage. Getting in touch with customer service is impossible if you need it. Other comprenhensive policies we've had in the past have allowed us third party cover on other vehicles but this cover is not given on many policies now.

It will be interesting to see what the renewal quote is when it comes next year!! I'm 79 and my wife 67 with maximum non claims bonus, the car is 17 years old Vauxhall Meriva.

Phone your current insurer they have all the details and is usually on your quote if it’s in the last 5 years. Also check what you put for mileage as if lower it can make a difference.

Deedeedum, I tried the NFU last year, and were told that we were too old! 80 and 83 at the time.
This year we are with Sainsbury's.

My M&S car insurance was about to increase this year and they refused to negotiate any reduction. I searched Comparethemarket.com and I’m now paying £276 a year with LV. Fully comp, legal protection, courtesy car if in for repair etc.

As an added bonus I now have free membership for Meerkat Meals where many restaurants participate Sun-Thurs with 2 for 1 meals. Well worth a look.

Try the National Farmers Union.

Same here. Direct Line quoted me £1800 for renewal (no claims) so I shopped around and got it for £850 with Prima. I had an accident but no claims. I was honest

My car insurance has doubled and I've shopped around but all about the same. Friends confirm the same for theirs.

tanith

Well I’m flabbergasted! I did try ringing my company but after 20 mins in a queue I went back to online comparisons and WOW!! I made a guess at the date of the accident and there wasn’t one company anywhere near the quote from my own company. They were at least £100 more some £100s more. Tried my own bank that £1403, double the quote I already have. Unbelievable!
So I’ll ring mine and see if I can persuade them down but I don’t hold out much hope.
Thanks all.

Just renewed my car insurance too - premium had increased by 79% despite no changes since last year (except car now worth less!)
All quotes were coming in around the same price until I checked out Saga and saved about £220.

Well I’m flabbergasted! I did try ringing my company but after 20 mins in a queue I went back to online comparisons and WOW!! I made a guess at the date of the accident and there wasn’t one company anywhere near the quote from my own company. They were at least £100 more some £100s more. Tried my own bank that £1403, double the quote I already have. Unbelievable!
So I’ll ring mine and see if I can persuade them down but I don’t hold out much hope.
Thanks all.

Your insurance company should have a record. If you ring them to ask, tell them why you are 'shopping around' and see what deal they'll come up with!

Thanks all I think most of them are online now. A good idea seadragon I’ll give that a try.

Could you ask your existing Insurance company whether they have a record of your contact about the no fault accident?..... and then mention you are having to leave them because of their quote. They may adjust the quote in your favour...

Go and talk to an insurance broker. There are usually some with a shop front in most towns.

I have had the same problem and managed to narrow down the year by thinking about the season of the year that it happened and what other things had happened around the same time. This won't help with an exact date but will get you closer. You could also simply ask your insurer at the time, they will have made a record of it.

I had a similar issue with house insurance, a claim I couldn’t remember the details of. I just put in an approx date and that was accepted.

I would just hazard a guess, and that shouldn’t be a problem.