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I was stationary in traffic when another driver scraped down side of my car causing over £2k of damage. His whole story was rubbish, littered with errors and obvious lies. Immediately after the accident happened my insurers whacked up my policy by 50%, which equated to £200 even though I had Protected No Claims Discount. They also did this for the 2nd year so I am out of pocket by £400. I had to fight them every step of way to get them to defend me even though their accident investigator reported that I had a strong case and should go to court. I think that if they had done their job properly and pointed out to other side all the inconsistencies in its case, that this would never have gone so far. My insurer wanted to go 50/50 when the other side threatened to take me to court but I had a really strong case so I refused. Eventually they agreed to court and I won my case with the judge saying how obvious it was who was at fault. I have saved my insurer at least £2,750 by going to court (they can now reclaim all costs and repairs, etc.) and yet they are saying they won't pay me back the £400 by which they have increased my premiums. I think that given I was found innocent and they are recovering costs and the grief they have caused me over past 18 months that they should also pay me compensation. What do you think?

Asked on 15 May 2010 by L.H., via e-mail

Answered by Honest John
Well done. But there is no case for compensation. You did the right thing and what I would have done, with or without my insurers help. But you can't put a price on the stress the episode caught you. And even if you did, I don't think a court would award it to you. I hope your story, will inspire other readers to the sort of positive action you forced your lazy, incompetent insurer to take.
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