Criminal damage to car and NCB?

billy few mates · 02-01-2019 11:47AM #1

My son had his car damaged while he was sitting at traffic lights by some guy off his head on drugs who was fleeing the scene of a robbery. The guy was subsequently arrested for for a more serious incident shortly afterwards where two people (including a child) ended up in hospital and a number of other acts of vandalism and damage.
The guy is now on remand and my son (along with a number of other people) have damaged cars.
He was worried this would affect his NCB if he claimed for the repairs but when he reported it to the Gardai they told him he would be able to claim without affecting his NCB once they gave him the pulse number as this is criminal damage not caused by anything to do with his driving.
Does anyone know how he can go about this because when he spoke to his insurance company they told him if he claims it will affect his NCB?
Thanks

Samuel T. Cogley · 02-01-2019 12:15PM

As has been said before, unfortunately it's a No Claims bonus rather than a no fault bonus. I assume the person fleeing was also in a car? If so have you tried MIBI?

GM228 · 02-01-2019 12:29PM

As STC has said it's a no claims as opposed to no fault bonus, the Guard is wrong in what he said assuming he actually said that.

As the insurer usually can't recover costs from the other party it is a claim against you. Many (if not all) insurance usually even mention vandalism in their policies.

hullaballoo · 02-01-2019 12:34PM

I agree with the above two posts. There are no universal rules about what will or won't cause a loss of NCB. However, a general rule is that unless the insurance company specifically advertises that certain claims do not affect NCB, you will lose your NCB upon making any claim.

Certain companies do advertise that claims for criminal acts don't affect NCB. Then again, certain other companies don't even allow windscreen claims without reducing or resetting the NCB.

GM228 · 02-01-2019 01:02PM

Insurance claims and the recovery of monies are civil matters (even if caused as a result of a criminal act) and the Gardaí have no say and should not be advising conclusively on such.

Nobody but your insurance and associated policy can decide on what will affect your insurance NCD, it is unlikely a criminal damage act will see the NCD protected, but, for peace of mind ask your insurance provider/check your policy.

From the UK, but equally applicable here:

https://www.uswitch.com/car-insurance/car-insurance-drivers-with-vandalism-claims/amp/

billy few mates · 02-01-2019 06:18PM

GM228 wrote: »

Insurance claims and the recovery of monies are civil matters (even if caused as a result of a criminal act) and the Gardaí have no say and should not be advising conclusively on such.

Nobody but your insurance and associated policy can decide on what will affect your insurance NCD, it is unlikely a criminal damage act will see the NCD protected, but, for peace of mind ask your insurance provider/check your policy.

From the UK, but equally applicable here:

https://www.uswitch.com/car-insurance/car-insurance-drivers-with-vandalism-claims/amp/

Thanks for all the replies, it looks like he's going to be at a loss so.
The scrote who did it wasn't actually driving, he was fleeing on foot with the goods he'd robbed and just leashed out at a number of cars as he ran past them. My son made a statement and was able to assist in identifying him (and his partner in crime), the Garda who took the statement definitely told him he would be able to recover the cost of the damage repair without affecting his NCB and even provided the pulse number as he told him he would need it.

Hoboo · 02-01-2019 06:22PM

billy few mates wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies, it looks like he's going to be at a loss so.
The scrote who did it wasn't actually driving, he was fleeing on foot with the goods he'd robbed and just leashed out at a number of cars as he ran past them. My son made a statement and was able to assist in identifying him (and his partner in crime), the Garda who took the statement definitely told him he would be able to recover the cost of the damage repair without affecting his NCB and even provided the pulse number as he told him he would need it.

Gardai arent experts in law, nevermind insurance.

Criminal damage to car and NCB?

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