Can a non-existent accident (Scam) still cost me?

Honest John Back Room » Legal matters
View Threaded
Wed 29 Apr 2015 15:38
Can a non-existent accident (Scam) still cost me? - ElsBels
Someone claimed I drove into her car - but it was not true (her passenger just pulled up alongside my car and tapped on the window to make a noise). There was no damage to either car as photos show at the time. She said she would check when she had better light, then texted to say the whole of the side was dented! She never sent me photos nor replied to my texts. However, she reported to my insurer, alleged her passenger was also injured, but more than three months later nothing from her or her company. My insurer has agreed that there are no marks, scuffs or anything to my car.

As it was my husband's car and policy, they have increased his premium by £156. They have also charged me an additional £120 on my insurance with them as I also have a car and policy. They have now classified it as 'no fault' and refunded 1/3 of the charges, but we are still out of pocket and it will cost us on both policies going forward. I want it reclassified as opened in error as no accident took place.

They have made money out of us but have done nothing to follow up this scam; Can we get this off our policies and the money back? Thank you.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 29 Apr 2015 16:14
Can a non-existent accident (Scam) still cost me? - thunderbird

Contact the Financial Ombudsman. Present them with the information i.e. there was no damage and no claim and you will get your monies and clean record back.

They sorted out a banking dispute for me.

Edited by thunderbird on 29/04/2015 at 16:17

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 29 Apr 2015 16:42
Can a non-existent accident (Scam) still cost me? - FP

I'm not sure if you can escalate a case to the Ombudsman unless you have given the insurance company ample opportunity to set things right.

It's not clear from the OP whether this has in fact happened.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 29 Apr 2015 16:47
Can a non-existent accident (Scam) still cost me? - thunderbird

I'm not sure if you can escalate a case to the Ombudsman unless you have given the insurance company ample opportunity to set things right.

It's not clear from the OP whether this has in fact happened.

In the case of my banking dispute although I had not officially written to the bank and received a reply the ombudsman started a case. It did add a little time but it still got sorted.

But since the OP has already had some kind of offer from the insurance company I would suggest that they have given them the opportunity to put things right.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 1 May 2015 12:49
Can a non-existent accident (Scam) still cost me? - Andrew-T

I'm not sure if you can escalate a case to the Ombudsman unless you have given the insurance company ample opportunity to set things right.

I had a dispute over building insurance in 2007 which was eventually settled to my satisfaction after about a year. I threatened involving the ombudsman once or twice without actually taking it that far, so maybe the threat would work.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 30 Apr 2015 12:09
Can a non-existent accident (Scam) still cost me? - ElsBels

Thanks. Will probably need to put a complaint on the insurer's handling in writing to insurer and escalate if no joy.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 29 Apr 2015 22:36
Can a non-existent accident (Scam) still cost me? - galileo

If this was a fraudulent scam, why was it not reported to the police as such as well as your insurer?

Probably too late now but bear in mind if you are targeted again in future.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 30 Apr 2015 12:07
Can a non-existent accident (Scam) still cost me? - ElsBels

Yes, you are probably right; I was a bit naive and should have notified the police, or pushed for my insurer to do so. My husband was out of the country at the time, and I thought she seemed genuine. And since we had both seen that neither vehicle had touched that would be the end of it.

I can't understand why my insurer hasn't inspected her car or asked for evidence; but while they can just get more money out of their own policy holders without any work, where is the incentive to bother?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 1 May 2015 12:51
Can a non-existent accident (Scam) still cost me? - Andrew-T

If this was a fraudulent scam, why was it not reported to the police as such as well as your insurer?

I wonder whether the police would be bothered if nothing had really happened ?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 1 May 2015 22:48
Can a non-existent accident (Scam) still cost me? - galileo

If this was a fraudulent scam, why was it not reported to the police as such as well as your insurer?

I wonder whether the police would be bothered if nothing had really happened ?

I'm sure there have been convictions for 'attempted theft' so why not 'attempted fraud' ?

The OP has suffered financially so something has happened.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

We give you the low down on how to save on insurance, little-known tricks and tips, what insurance groups mean and how to use insurance aggregators to beat insurers.

Insurance group finder and how to save on insurance

Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.

The Good Garage Guide