Minor bump

[Phaeton]

Originally Posted by john.wigley

My own insurance, 'AB-UK', stipulates that I should notify them immediately of any "event" for information purposes. I personally would not want to risk jeopardising any future claim by not doing so.

Car insurance is Government backed legalised theft I wouldn't be advising them until the other driver refused to settle.

[MaDProFF]

John.wigley just because there is a stipulation in the policy, it does not mean it is a fair one, or one that they can enforce in a court of law as it may be unreasonable.

The OP has gone out of his way to prove the car is safe and just a damaged rim, which could be repaired by an approved rim repairer or replaced. any feature issues in a crash he has proof that it can not related any way to this small bump.

If you or anyone did inform the insure company, you instantly become a statistic, it will result in a premium increase as you are now more likely to have another bump. It also means you have to inform any future insurance companies etc. (AND I do not care if they tell you that your premium will not be effected)

So in my books the least you tell an Insurace company the better. As last posted posted they are thieves that over charge you for no reason at all.

[pagan8c]

I appreciate that Insurance companies demand you inform them of every little thing that occurs but if there is no official report of the incident from either side how would the insurance company become aware of this and how are they going to prove anything occurred. I too would deal with this between both parties if it is acceptable to both.

[techwatcher]

Originally Posted by john.wigley

My own insurance, 'AB-UK', stipulates that I should notify them immediately of any "event" for information purposes. I personally would not want to risk jeopardising any future claim by not doing so.

Regards, John.

Hi John,

Is that the actual wording used? If they use the word "should" rather than "shall" or "must" then it is not mandatory for you to inform them.

Many would resolve this privately without informing insurance companies. The only risk is jeopardising a future claim but as you've had the car inspected for further damage then that risk is small.

Its your call but as others have said if you inform them then it is likely that your next premium will increase.

[john.wigley]

Oh dear, I do appear to have opened a can of worms!

I'm not 100% sure of the precise wording without reference to my policy, which I do not have immediately to hand. My understanding is that I am required to notify my insurers of anything relating to my use of the car that may result in a claim. I can only reiterate that, were I in the OP's position, I would notify my insurers for information only for my own protection. Whether or not anyone else does otherwise is of course entirely up to them, but I do not think that it is at all helpful to refer to insurance as "legalised theft".

Regards, John.

[Phaeton]

Originally Posted by john.wigley

I would notify my insurers for information only for my own protection.

Then you will get screwed over by them on the next renewal for being honest, they are not interested in honest, they are interested in profit.

Originally Posted by john.wigley

but I do not think that it is at all helpful to refer to insurance as "legalised theft".

The problem is though it is, you have a legal obligation to have insurance & they run a cartel to fix pricing & how the industry runs. £25 to amend a policy, the banks got taken to court over this & it was decided it had to be inline with the actual cost, it doesn't cost £25 to answer a phone & press a few keys. Only allowed to take a car to an 'authorised repair centre' cars written off as uneconomical to repair because of a dented bumper.

[MichaelDH]

Don't get me started on insurance companies!

I once hit some tyre debris on a motorway which damaged the front of my car. I called the insurance company (a major player in the industry) as I had comprehensive cover with no-claims protection and the lady said "I see your renewal is due soon. You'll notice the price will go up as you're making a claim". I explained that I had no-claims protection etc. so she must be mistaken. "It makes no difference" she said "we have to recoup our costs on the repair".

Needless to say I paid for the repair myself and didn't take up the renewal with them!

My advice - even if you have to pay for the cost of the new wheel yourself it will cost you less in the long run as your premiums will rise, even if it's not your fault.

[john.wigley]

The assumption seems to be that it is the OP's insurance provider that will be footing the bill in this case. That is not necessarily so. The OP states that his car was hit by a Ford Ka, the implication being that the accident was the fault of the Ka driver.

The Ka driver may have admitted responsibility for the accident and agreed to pay for the damage to the OP's vehicle. All well and good if they are an honourable person, but what if they later default? It is their insurance company that should pay, not the OP. The OP's insurance company will chase their's for payment, but only if they know about it!

I would strongly advise the OP to notify his insurance company for information purposes only for his own protection. Otherwise, what is the point of having insurance in the first place?

Regards, John.

[Phaeton]

Originally Posted by john.wigley

I would strongly advise the OP to notify his insurance company for information purposes only for his own protection.

If he notifies his insurance company his premium will increase on his next renewal date. There is no such thing as 'for information only' they will assess it as a no blame claim, but a claim nether the less.

Originally Posted by john.wigley

Otherwise, what is the point of having insurance in the first place?

That is a whole different subject, might be worth asking the 1 million plus drivers who don't bother.

[Bendolfc]

What Phaeton said. As soon as you tell your insurance you have had a bump, they will increase your risk loading even if you don't claim so you will pay for it regardless. A non fault claim will see an increase too.