Which way to turn.

[diadem01]

I have an excellent driving record and a low cost fully comprehensive insurance policy (covered by a extra protection insurance on my NCB).

But … the other day in a moment of madness I found myself brushing against a car park pillar which caused damage to my rear wheel arch and a few scratches on the body work.

In the way of these things, the damage is on a body part that will be expensive to replace (casual quote some £1500) and I am trying to work out if I should try to live with the damage (it's not too noticeable now I've polished it up) or claim because of the lowering of the value of my car if I should need to sell it.

Very much a classic calculation to have to make … but does anyone have some advice. The car, a Toyota Yaris, is worth about £6000. And double insured or not, can I expect the insurance company to raise my payments substantially?

[Hymie]

Assuming that you have 65% NCD, claiming will result in this being reduced to 55% next year and 60% the following – before returning to 65% (assuming no claims).

As an example, if you are paying £350 for you insurance at 65% NCD – you will pay £450 next year and £400 the year after that. So in the above example, the cost to you of the claim would be £150 plus the applicable excess.

You need to do the calculation with your actual insurance costs – but it would appear worth claiming based on the repair costs.

[diadem01]

Thank you, Hymie.

I actually pay only £250 PA which includes my wife driving too. And it also includes a premium to insure for the protection of my NCD, supposedly allowing one accident without affecting the NCD.

As I see things, one accident (albeit entirely my own fault) should mean little change to next years payment.

The worry in checking this out with the insurer is that they will make notes anyway and possibly try to raise the cost whether I claim or not. After all, I
could not then go on to an alternate insurer as these people seem to pass the word around. Or am I imagining too much?

[boxtops]

My OH reported an accident where he thought the third party would claim - but in the end he and the TP just agreed a figure without involving the insurance company. He just rang them and said there would be no claim - he was not penalised at renewal.

[MrIncredible]

I recently found myself in a simialr situation, My car was hit whilst parked in our local supermaket carpark, the person responsible kindly left without leaving there details! I was left with a crumpled front wheel arch (car was drivable)
I decided to get it repaired via my insurance, I had to pay £175 ecxess, my insurance (with direct line) was £287 full comp. (this all happended last christmas)
Just had my renewal from directline and they wanted an eyewatering £650!

i shopped around and changed my insurance to Aviva who did it for £308.

What I found was when i shopped around was some insurers when asked if you have had a claim in the last 5years left it at that and made there quote where others went further and asked who's fault the accident was and then made there quote.

if you cant live with the damage, then personnally I would get it done via my insurance then shop around when your renewal comes, the difference should be less than the £1500 to repare your car.

[Hymie]

With protected NCD, in theory the only cost to you should be the excess.

But the rip-off insurance industry has a trick up its sleeve (where your NCD is protected) and that is to increase the base premium, because you have made a claim.

So next year’s insurance costs become something of an unknown when you have made a claim, but there is nothing to stop you shopping around (with your full no claims discount – because you have paid for it).

My OH is with Directline and had a similar prang to yours (NCD not protected). Her increased premiums over the following 2 years were very much in line with my example calculations.

But I’ve heard of others with Directline who experienced increases similar to MrIncredible when they have made a claim. Although in my experience, Directline offer very competitive insurance cover – they appear to favour those with good no claims history.

[diadem01]

Hymie, Boxtops, Mr Incredible;

Thanks for your thoughtful advice. After negotiations with Toyota, I find the cost will be much less than originally thought … £600 Inc. It still hurts but weighing up the pros and cons I have decided not to involve my insurance because of the unknown factors … though I have to say, I'm not at all happy that I have had to blackmail myself into taking this decision.

Thanks again.

[R1Geezer]

If you claim, even with NCBP, they will recoup the money via premiums in the future. I would only even claim in a total write off.fire etc scenario. Just wait to someone hits you there then claim of them!