Had minor accident didn't make a claim but informed insurer (doh!). Paid for repair £300. Renewal arrives today only about 10% more but loss of no claims bonus because of "reported incident"(damn!). Also new premium based on voluntary excess £250 (previously was £0) and compulsory excess £250 (previously covered by policy). Does this mean I now pay first £500? HonestJohn tells us not to inform insurance company if damage is less than £500, so I'm inclined to accept quote.

I suggest you read the small print on your own policy before accepting a generalisation by Honest (??) John's column.

HonestJohn tells us not to inform insurance company if damage is less than £500, so I'm inclined to accept quote.

Honest john is mis-informing you then because your T&C of your policy state you must report all incidents whether you wish to claim or not....

He knows certain things about the motor industry and very little about other aspects. Insurance is an area he knows very little about. He should stick to rating 'hat room' in cars in my opinion.

Also if you have a 250 vol and 250 comp excess the total you pay in the event of a claim is £500. Voluntary excesses can be changed, comp ones cant (they're imposed by the insurer). You shouldn't lose your NCD if you just report an accident and no one claims (as nothing has been paid out by your insurer), from the sounds of a third party involved has claimed against you?

Edited 18 July, 201114 yr by adamc260

Had minor accident didn't make a claim but informed insurer (doh!). Paid for repair £300. Renewal arrives today only about 10% more but loss of no claims bonus because of "reported incident"(damn!). Also new premium based on voluntary excess £250 (previously was £0) and compulsory excess £250 (previously covered by policy). Does this mean I now pay first £500? HonestJohn tells us not to inform insurance company if damage is less than £500, so I'm inclined to accept quote.

Anyone else involved in the claim? If not and you didn't make a claim then you should ask for your NCB to be reinstated.

I'm confused about your loss of NCB.

You lose NCB if you make a claim or if somebody else claims on your policy.

If you had an accident and didn't make a claim (simply reported the accident as required) and the other person didn't make a claim, then as already said ask for your NCB to be reinstated, it should never have been lost.

Many insurance T&C's state that they should be informed of any accident - you don't have to actually make a claim if you report it.

Reporting but not claiming on an accident should not on it's own increase your premium.

If you change insurance companies, then an accident where no claims were made do not have to be mentioned.

As also said, £250 compulsory and £250 voluntary means that you will pay the first £500 of any claim you make.

In this situation the insurance company knows that you are not going to be claiming for any relatively small accident - even up to £750 you probably won't claim as you'd still have to pay the first £500 and you'd also lose NCB.

Personally I shop around for £0 or £50 voluntary.

Yes it does increase my premiums slightly, but it means I'm only paying around the first £200 - £250 in the case of an at-fault accident, which is a lot easier to stomach.

If I'm not at fault I'll claim my excess back from the person at fault.

Thanks for information. Third party was off before I could get to him (white van man so probably in hurry) therefore I'm pretty sure he didn't report my car details to his insurer. I take the point about HonestJohn's advice re not informing insurer if damage is less than £500, perhaps he means prangs where there is no third party. I shall quiz insurer about loss on NCB.

I now know that compulsory excess means exactly what it says on the tin. Insurer did offer an additional insurance to cover the compulsory element for £30. In previous years this was wrapped up in the premium now they charge separately.

Reporting but not claiming on an accident should not on it's own increase your premium.

If you change insurance companies, then an accident where no claims were made do not have to be mentioned.

Both points there are wrong i'm afraid.

Reporting an accident regardless of claiming with some insurers is considered a rating factor and therefore is subject to increase the premium due to the increased risk of having an accident. Any incident you report is loaded onto CUE (Claims Underwriting Exchange) and details can be checked at any point during the policy. Failure to disclosure previous claims could void policy from inception and mean you struggle to get insurance elswhere when you answer the question 'Have you ever had insurance cancelled'

Edited 21 July, 201114 yr by adamc260

Both points there are wrong i'm afraid.

Reporting an accident regardless of claiming with some insurers is considered a rating factor and therefore is subject to increase the premium due to the increased risk of having an accident. Any incident you report is loaded onto CUE (Claims Underwriting Exchange) and details can be checked at any point during the policy. Failure to disclosure previous claims could void policy from inception and mean you struggle to get insurance elswhere when you answer the question 'Have you ever had insurance cancelled'

I did say, and you did quote:

If you change insurance companies, then an accident where NO CLAIMS were made do not have to be mentioned.

If I'm involved in an accident and we both pay for our own damages then there is absolutely no need at all to ever mention that to an insurance company.

I did say, and you did quote:

If you change insurance companies, then an accident where NO CLAIMS were made do not have to be mentioned.

If I'm involved in an accident and we both pay for our own damages then there is absolutely no need at all to ever mention that to an insurance company.

You need to read the T&Cs of your policy then as it asks you to report all incidents whether you claim or not.

Had minor accident didn't make a claim but informed insurer (doh!). Paid for repair £300. Renewal arrives today only about 10% more but loss of no claims bonus because of "reported incident"(damn!). Also new premium based on voluntary excess £250 (previously was £0) and compulsory excess £250 (previously covered by policy). Does this mean I now pay first £500? HonestJohn tells us not to inform insurance company if damage is less than £500, so I'm inclined to accept quote.

Why have you lost your NCB when you didn't make a claim? I can understand them raising the premium slightly to reflect the perceived risk, but NCB should have stayed the same???

Plus, the only reason you don't tell the insurance company about damage less then £500 is because it'll save you raised premiums. Not sure of legality of this though, but what they don't know, can't hurt them

OK all sorted. Had word with broker and the NCB is reinstated. BUT she told me that I am right to report accident (or as they call it incident). It is a requirement under their t&c that all accidents no matter how small, no matter if there is no third party, are reported. They also wanted to know cost of repair even if no actual claim is made. And yes, the premium henceforth will be higher, the increase depends on the accident particulars.

Presumably when the idiot in supermarket carpark dents your pride and joy with fully loaded trolley this should be reported!

Presumably when the idiot in supermarket carpark dents your pride and joy with fully loaded trolley this should be reported!

Yes, unfortunately =/