Dented My Car - My Fault

[muchlovex]

I have been very silly by driving my car into a buses bumper and dented the side of my car. No damage was made at all to the bus, as I stopped and the driver checked his bumper and checked damage on my car. He said as there was no damage to his vehicle, I didn't need to exchange details.

We both did not exchange each others details.

I have Fully Comprehensive Insurance with Directline, but I was wondering whether it would invalidate my insurance that I did not take his details. I did not need to take them as there was no damage to his vehicle and it was my fault.

Any advice on what the Insurance Co' will say. I don't have any Excess to pay as it's zero.

[flip_flop]

No, it will not invalidate your insurance.

[ChuckFickens]

It will put your premium up next year (and for years after) if you claim on your own insurance though. you'd probably be better off in the long run paying to get it done yourself and not involving your insurance company at all.

[muchlovex]

What if I change insurance company when I come to renew?

[ChuckFickens]

Then when they ask on your application "have you had any claims in the last 5 years" you'd have to answer yes and start with 0 no claims discount.

[The-HouseHusband]

you have to declare any accidents or claims within the last five years if they are your fault or not so either way your insurance will rise unless you "forget" to mention it, if you claim on the insurance you will have no choice but to inform the new insurer as they can check your details on the database.

[muchlovex]

Ok. What is Protected No Claims Bonus about?

I am sure I pay extra to protect this.

[redcrx]

it means that you have protected the discount that you get for driving without claims.

so if you have 70% discount from your insurance and youve protected it, it wont drop with a claim.

you do have to remember though that its the discount thats protected though, not the policy premium. So your premium would still increase with a claim though youd still have same percentage discount.

[ChuckFickens]

Yep, protected no claims is a bit of a con. for example

this year your premium is £1000 with 70% no claims so you pay £300

You make a Claim and you don't lose your 70% no claims but next year your premium will be £2000 with 70% NCB so you pay £600

[redcrx]

not a con as such, just not explained to people properly most of time. I used to think that it meant my premium would not rise, like many other people do.
still its still better than a £2000 premium with only a 50% discount as the NCB has dropped rather than be protected.

[ChuckFickens]

True I guess.

Regardless, if muchlovex can afford to get it sorted without involving their insurance company then they would almost certainly end up better off in the long run.

what is the car and what sort of damage has been done to it?

[The-HouseHusband]

As red mentioned protected no claims discount is just that, it protects the discount not the premium. Usually you are allowed three claims in a two year period and you will keep all your discount. However the premium will increase every year regardless, and will rise considerably more if you have made a claim as you are classed as a higher risk.

[muchlovex]

it's a Peugeot 206 '53 reg, 3 door. It has a large dent on the rear passenger side.

[The-HouseHusband]

Will you two stop typing so quick, my answers seem daft because of your speedy replies. Give us two finger typers a chance!! :)

[The-HouseHusband]

If it is dented without a crease mark then it should be easy and fairly cheap for a body shop to put right. Small dents can actually be harder to fix as they tend to get crease marks that can not be removed.

If the paint is not to badly marked then a bit of colour restoration polish should bring it up looking like the rest of the car.

[gsr600]

if you have NOT told your insurance company then they wont find out unless you claim for a repair, which will probably cost you more on the next renewal,
Its an older car so leave it or stump up to get it fixed yourself -
it will have to be mentioned for the next 5 years when applying for insurance cover, which is always gonna cost more, so either way it will cost you £££