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The Claim Game
I write to express my disappointment regarding the 'Customer Care' provided by my recent insurers in the hope that it may prevent others from making the same naive mistake.
My car received a nasty dent in the upper right wing whilst parked, unattended, in the car park of the local sports club. Extensive enquiries were made but I was unable to ascertain how or by whom the damage was caused. The local dealership quoted £457 for repair. Having 9 years Protected NCD and an excess of £200 I wondered whether it would be worthwhile lodging a claim for the outstanding amount.
I telephoned my insurer’s help desk, gave all the details, and was assured that it would not affect my No Claims Discount. I was given the address of their local repairer and the repair was completed satisfactorily. At the end of the policy year I received a quotation for the following year and was amazed to find that the premium had increased by £358 (£763 against the previous £405). On querying this I was informed that, because I had an 'Accident' the premium was automatically increased.
Perhaps I was naive and asked the wrong question regarding the Protected No Claims Discount that I have been paying for many years, but I am now being charged an additional £358, plus whatever increase is applied in forthcoming years, to cover a £250 claim for an incident that was clearly not my fault. (With the help of a local broker, I found a much lower quotation from a reputable company and saved £217.)
After over sixty years of motoring without cost to an insurance company, this is a lesson well learned.
My car received a nasty dent in the upper right wing whilst parked, unattended, in the car park of the local sports club. Extensive enquiries were made but I was unable to ascertain how or by whom the damage was caused. The local dealership quoted £457 for repair. Having 9 years Protected NCD and an excess of £200 I wondered whether it would be worthwhile lodging a claim for the outstanding amount.
I telephoned my insurer’s help desk, gave all the details, and was assured that it would not affect my No Claims Discount. I was given the address of their local repairer and the repair was completed satisfactorily. At the end of the policy year I received a quotation for the following year and was amazed to find that the premium had increased by £358 (£763 against the previous £405). On querying this I was informed that, because I had an 'Accident' the premium was automatically increased.
Perhaps I was naive and asked the wrong question regarding the Protected No Claims Discount that I have been paying for many years, but I am now being charged an additional £358, plus whatever increase is applied in forthcoming years, to cover a £250 claim for an incident that was clearly not my fault. (With the help of a local broker, I found a much lower quotation from a reputable company and saved £217.)
After over sixty years of motoring without cost to an insurance company, this is a lesson well learned.
Asked on 25 January 2010 by MW, Nottingham
Answered by
Honest John
I'm afraid almost all insurers increase premiums if policyholders have been involved in a claim whether it was their fault or not, and NCD protections does not ‘protect‘ you from these increases. Generally, if the damage is less than £500, it is cheaper not to inform the insurer at all and to pay for your own repair. You were asked for £358 more the first year, but, of course, you will be asked for similar amounts in subsequent years and they will probably amount to more than £1,000.
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