No Claims Bonus unaffected if not happy with insurance offer

Liamo_mu

Has anyone started a claim but not been happy with the offer from their insurance?

Right now my insurance is offering to cover half the cost. This isn't worth it to me and I think I'd rather pay out of pocket now.

I'm still arguing with them on this so haven't asked yet but I assume if I do not take their offer I can withdraw my claim and my No Claims Bonus would be unaffected?

It was only worth claiming to me if they covered all the repair costs.

Sono

More to this story, why are they only covering half of the costs of repairs? Is there a third party claim going against you?

Liamo_mu

Sono wrote: »

More to this story, why are they only covering half of the costs of repairs? Is there a third party claim going against you?

No. There was no crash or anything.

Debris on road broke my sump. Oil leaked from engine and engine seized.

Whole engine needs replacing and they said they'd only cover half the replacement costs. I have fully comp insurance. I am fighting it at the minute but if they will only cover half id rather keep my No Claims Bonus

Sono

What is their reason for covering half?

Was the debris as a result of works being carried out on the road? Is anyone else potentially liable here?

Liamo_mu

Sono wrote: »

What is their reason for covering half?

Was the debris as a result of works being carried out on the road? Is anyone else potentially liable here?

No one else involved.

Bad weather caused a few branches in road.

Wasn't a huge branch. Should have went under car no problem but whatever way it bounced up it somehow cracked the sump. Mechanic says it's rare but happens.


Basically they told me today they might pay for half or none. They want me to pay to take the engine apart to show the motor assessor. This seems insane to me.

Then if he is happy with what he see they'll pay half.

Didn't really give a reason for covering half. Just that my type of engine is prone to going at the mileage my car is at.

So right now I'm thinking of just being done with the insurance and keeping my No Claims.

Sono

Sounds to me like they are thinking this could be a wear and tear issue and ultimately the assessor will need to be satisfied that this is in fact accident related, if this is the case then I could see them covering the claim, if not then I would expect them to decline the claim in full. Offering to cover half is a new one on me.

Liamo_mu

Sono wrote: »

Sounds to me like they are thinking this could be a wear and tear issue and ultimately the assessor will need to be satisfied that this is in fact accident related, if this is the case then I could see them covering the claim, if not then I would expect them to decline the claim in full. Offering to cover half is a new one on me.

I mean it's certainly not a wear and tear issue. Car was perfect before. Sump cracked and engine seized. It's not rocket science.

But obviously they'll do anything not to pay.

Am I right in thinking my No claims is unaffected if I stop the claim here and now? Because as it stands they have laid for nothing. I had the sump fixed put of my own pocket.

diceyreilly

Legally they don’t have pay anything.
You can’t claim against your own insurance.

There is no such thing as fully comp.
its just comprehensive. Which means if you are involved in an accident and its deemed your fault they will pay to repair your car once your driving within the rules of your licence, eg not pissed or driving alone on learner permit.

diceyreilly

You keep your no claims bonus if they don’t pay anything, or end claim now.

Liamo_mu

diceyreilly wrote: »

You keep your no claims bonus if they don’t pay anything, or end claim now.

Ok that's good to know. I'm going to fight it for a while because the mechanic thought they should pay but if I get nowhere I'll just withdraw and keep my no claims.

One of those things where is just got unlucky I guess.

diceyreilly

Liamo_mu wrote: »

Ok that's good to know. I'm going to fight it for a while because the mechanic thought they should pay but if I get nowhere I'll just keep withdraw and keep my no claims.

One of those things where is just got unlucky I guess.

Worked in AXA for years. They don’t have to pay it. They might do cos but dont have to.
Like if you put diesel in a petrol, some people come in with a claim. If a customer is with us years and never claimed they will pay it.
If they do pay it. You can pay them back monthly before your next renewal and you’ll also keep your bonus.

Liamo_mu

diceyreilly wrote: »

Worked in AXA for years. They don’t have to pay it. They might do cos but dont have to.
Like if you put diesel in a petrol, some people come in with a claim. If a customer is with us years and never claimed they will pay it.
If they do pay it. You can pay them back monthly before your next renewal and you’ll also keep your bonus.

Thanks for the info. Was told that because the car was broken due to weather conditions/debris on road it was likely to be covered.

I guess not since they are saying they may cover half

diceyreilly

Liamo_mu wrote: »

Thanks for the info. Was told that because the car was broken due to weather conditions/debris on road it was likely to be covered.

I guess not since they are saying they may cover half

Yeah id say if you pushed it, got the mechanic to say it was deffo that they would probably pay the whole claim.
See how much it is. If its expensive go for it. Usually a formal complaint will do the trick and they will pay it, cos it kinda is an accident but usually to claim on your comp side of insurance there has to be a 3rd party involved.

diceyreilly

diceyreilly wrote: »

Yeah id say if you pushed it, got the mechanic to say it was deffo that they would probably pay the whole claim.
See how much it is. If its expensive go for it. Usually a formal complaint will do the trick and they will pay it, cos it kinda is an accident but usually to claim on your comp side of insurance there has to be a 3rd party involved.

Also bear in mind you have to pay the first part of the claim yourself. The excess. Usually between €250-€500 and lose your bonus so might not even be worth claiming if you lose out in the long run.

Liamo_mu

diceyreilly wrote: »

Yeah id say if you pushed it, got the mechanic to say it was deffo that they would probably pay the whole claim.
See how much it is. If its expensive go for it. Usually a formal complaint will do the trick and they will pay it, cos it kinda is an accident but usually to claim on your comp side of insurance there has to be a 3rd party involved.

Ok interesting. Is the complaint filed through the insurance company itself? Or through a third party like the ombudsman?

It's all very complicated. So many scenarios to consider. Nealry a full time job at this stage haha.

diceyreilly

Liamo_mu wrote: »

Ok interesting. Is the complaint filed through the insurance company itself? Or through a third party like the ombudsman?

It's all very complicated. So many scenarios to consider. Nealry a full time job at this stage haha.

Put the complaint in with the insurance company. But don’t bother unless you are 100 percent sure you want to claim.

Liamo_mu

diceyreilly wrote: »

Put the complaint in with the insurance company. But don’t bother unless you are 100 percent sure you want to claim.

Yeah fair. I'm 100% I want to claim if they'll cover it all with me just paying excess.

If not then I will withdraw the claim

diceyreilly

Liamo_mu wrote: »

Yeah fair. I'm 100% I want to claim if they'll cover it all with me just paying excess.

If not then I will withdraw the claim

Yeah put in a complaint so. If at the end of it they still will only pay half you can withdraw the claim or pay them back to keep your bonus.
Tell them it was an accident and you were not at fault. Make sure its an official complaint. They have to be answered and closed off fairly rapid.

Good luck with it.

Liamo_mu

diceyreilly wrote: »

Yeah put in a complaint so. If at the end of it they still will only pay half you can withdraw the claim or pay them back to keep your bonus.
Tell them it was an accident and you were not at fault. Make sure its an official complaint. They have to be answered and closed off fairly rapid.

Good luck with it.

Thanks so much for all the help. Feel a lot more prepared now.

Eggs For Dinner

diceyreilly wrote: »

Worked in AXA for years. They don’t have to pay it. They might do cos but dont have to.
Like if you put diesel in a petrol, some people come in with a claim. If a customer is with us years and never claimed they will pay it.
If they do pay it. You can pay them back monthly before your next renewal and you’ll also keep your bonus.

Total nonsense. If you have Comprehensive and suffer an accidental damage, such as this, you have a valid claim

OP, is it possible you are looking for a new engine, when your existing one had a good few miles on it? That would be known as betterment and insurers would be entitled to make a deduction.

Darc19

Maybe their argument is that you could have taken more care in your driving and it was your driving that caused the debris to cause problems.

They have an arguable case just like you have.

Maybe they pay half but don't penalise you on NCB?

Eggs For Dinner

Darc19 wrote: »

Maybe their argument is that you could have taken more care in your driving and it was your driving that caused the debris to cause problems.

They have an arguable case just like you have.

Maybe they pay half but don't penalise you on NCB?

That's not an argument any insurer would use.

Liamo_mu

Eggs For Dinner wrote: »

Total nonsense. If you have Comprehensive and suffer an accidental damage, such as this, you have a valid claim

OP, is it possible you are looking for a new engine, when your existing one had a good few miles on it? That would be
known as betterment and insurers would be entitled to make a deduction.

My car had had show zero signs of any problems. Only 68000 km so not massive mileage .

At the end of the day it was the cracked Sump that caused the loss of oil and subsequent engine failure. It was quite unlucky but something I and the mechanic thought they should cover

I'd be fine with a second hand engine but I don't think a Ford Garage would put one in.

Eggs For Dinner

Liamo_mu wrote: »

My car had had show zero signs of any problems. Only 68000 km so not massive mileage .

At the end of the day it was the cracked Sump that caused the loss of oil and subsequent engine failure. It was quite unlucky but something I and the mechanic thought they should cover

It is an accidental damage, my point is are you holding out for a new engine with 0 miles on it?

Liamo_mu

Eggs For Dinner wrote: »

It is an accidental damage, my point is are you holding out for a new engine with 0 miles on it?

I didn't ask for a new engine no. That's just what my garage Ford quoted me and the Insurance company. I don't think they will put in a second hand Engine but I would be fine with that.

I'm not trying to benefit in any way just wanted my car fixed if possible

Eggs For Dinner

I think that's the issue. Your garage have quoted for a new engine which would enhance the pre-accident value of the vehicle and that can't happen

Sono

Eggs For Dinner wrote: »

Total nonsense. If you have Comprehensive and suffer an accidental damage, such as this, you have a valid claim

OP, is it possible you are looking for a new engine, when your existing one had a good few miles on it? That would be known as betterment and insurers would be entitled to make a deduction.

Came on to post this, Axa were lucky to have that poster working for them for years!!

Eggs For Dinner

Sono wrote: »

Came on to post this, Axa were lucky to have that poster working for them for years!!

Perhaps the poster worked in AXA's accounts department

diceyreilly

Eggs For Dinner wrote: »

Total nonsense. If you have Comprehensive and suffer an accidental damage, such as this, you have a valid claim

OP, is it possible you are looking for a new engine, when your existing one had a good few miles on it? That would be known as betterment and insurers would be entitled to make a deduction.

No, you’re talking nonsense. I know exactly what comprehensive cover it. Maybe read up on it.
The OP rang the claims already. Maybe everyone else is wrong apart from you.

Sono

Why in gods name would an insurance company decline a claim which was genuine and someone had valid cover for? Seriously now, this is complete and utter nonsense. If they were in the business of doing this they’d be named and shamed fairly quickly that’s for sure.

What area in insurance did you work in Dicey?

diceyreilly

Sono wrote: »

Why in gods name would an insurance company decline a claim which was genuine and someone had valid cover for? Seriously now, this is complete and utter nonsense. If they were in the business of doing this they’d be named and shamed fairly quickly that’s for sure.

What area in insurance did you work in Dicey?

He rang the claims department and they aren’t paying for it. What part of that are you not getting.
The reason they say they are not paying is they don’t have to pay.

I have 7 years experience in it. I’m guessing you have zero because you don’t know what you are talking about.

Sono

diceyreilly wrote: »

He rang the claims department and they aren’t paying for it. What part of that are you not getting.
The reason they say they are not paying is they don’t have to pay.

I have 7 years experience in it. I’m guessing you have zero because you don’t know what you are talking about.

There is more to this story and well you know it, if the claim is valid they pay up it’s that simple, provided there was valid cover in place at the time but continue to spout horse ****e about insurers not paying up when you have valid cover.

You never answered what area you worked in with your 7 years experience, the post room was it?

diceyreilly

Sono wrote: »

Why in gods name would an insurance company decline a claim which was genuine and someone had valid cover for? Seriously now, this is complete and utter nonsense. If they were in the business of doing this they’d be named and shamed fairly quickly that’s for sure.

What area in insurance did you work in Dicey?

He rang the claims department and they aren’t paying for it. What part of that are you not getting.
The reason they say they are not paying is they don’t have to pay.

I have 7 years experience in it. I’m guessing you have zero because you don’t know what you are talking about.

diceyreilly

Done talking to that “expert”

OP once again good luck with it and let me know how you get on.

diceyreilly

Done talking to that “expert”

OP once again good luck with it and let me know how you get on.

spodoinkle

Eggs For Dinner wrote: »

I think that's the issue. Your garage have quoted for a new engine which would enhance the pre-accident value of the vehicle and that can't happen

Exactly

Eggs For Dinner

diceyreilly wrote: »

He rang the claims department and they aren’t paying for it. What part of that are you not getting.
The reason they say they are not paying is they don’t have to pay.

I have 7 years experience in it. I’m guessing you have zero because you don’t know what you are talking about.

Seriously, just stop.

In my 41 years experience I have never once seen an insurer decline a claim by saying "we don't have to". Besides, in this instance the insurer is agreeing to meet the claim but the quantum is in dispute (I thought someone with your experience would appreciate a technical word like that)