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Claims Help Click below for related pages
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CLAIMS HELP PAGE TOP If you've had an incident which may lead to a claim the following should help guide you through the claims procedures.MOTOR CLAIMS (please click on headings below for more information) HOUSEHOLD CLAIMS
MOTOR CLAIMS ALL MOTOR CLAIMS SHOULD BE REPORTED TO THE CLAIMS DEPARTMENT ON FREEPHONE 0800 195 2101 Claims procedure : RETURN TO TOP Making a claim is not something anyone wants to do but take some time to read the following notes to ensure your claim runs as smoothly as possible and help you make a successful claim against the other party (if relevant). It is a policy condition that all incidents that may give rise to a claim are reported as soon as possible to the insurer. It doesn't matter if you are making a claim direct against the other party for the loss, the incident should still be reported. This is because your insurer needs to be aware early on so that if necessary they can investigate the claim. If the other party makes a claim against you at a later date it will help them deal with or repudiate the claim. If there are injuries to other parties or passengers they may make a claim years after the accident when possible witnesses and other evidence may no longer be available. If you are covered for the damage and try to claim against the other party but hit problems ie the driver turns out are not insured then your own insurer is likely to limit your claim to parts cost at time of loss and not any subsequent increased costs. They may even refuse to deal with your claim if it had not been reported. Accident : you are at fault RETURN TO TOP Give the other party your insurers name and policy number or Vauntage Insurance brokers tel no. and your own name and address. Do not admit liability but politely request that they contact your insurers who will deal with their claim. Report the claim to the claims department on 0800 195 2101 without delay. Try to avoid getting any further involved with the claimant or their insurers. Just advise that you will pass on any correspondence received and ask them to contact your insurer direct. Report the claim immediately to the claims department on 0800 195 2101. If you have comprehensive cover get a quotation for the repairs. Accident : other party at fault RETURN TO TOP Exchange insurer and name and address details as above. Try and obtain details of any independent witnesses that may be able to support your claim. Try and get a a detailed sketch of the accident location with notes of road names, road signs and markings. Some photographs are always helpful. If you cant do this at the time try to pop back or ask a friend to do it for you. Some cases take years to get to court when memories are faded but being able to produce accurate information should help your case. Report the claim immediately to the claims department on 0800 195 2101. Check what you are covered for table and also consider an uninsured loss claim (see below). Get a quotation for the repairs. Accident : Single vehicle RETURN TO TOP Generally you are only going to be able to claim here if you have comprehensive cover. However if for example there was identifiable debris in road or unmarked roadworks you may be able to claim against the negligent party. If there is any property damage or passenger injury involved you must report the accident immediately to the claims department on 0800 195 2101. Report the loss immediately to the police and obtain a crime reference number. Report the loss to the claims departmnet on 0800 195 2101. If the vehicle is recovered you will need to advise your insurers and get estimates for the repairs. If its not found in a week then you should submit your Vehicle registration document, MOT if over 3 years old, Certificate of insurance, photos, service receipts, purchase receipt, details of any outstanding HP and both sets of keys to the insurer. Report the claim immediately to the claims department on 0800 195 2101. Obtain estimates for the repair. What does my policy cover ? RETURN TO TOP The following table summarises policy covers. Check your policy wording.
For items not covered you may be able to make an uninsured loss recovery against the negligent party. (See Below) * Most comprehensive car policies provide a small amount of personal possessions cover, usually about £50. Otherwise your household policy may help if you have an All Risks extension. Nearly all policies have an excess on all claims other than for third party injury or damage. This will be from £50 to £500 dependant on the insurer, type of vehicle and age of driver. This will be deducted by the insurer from any total loss claim. In the event of repairs you will have to pay this sum to the repairer before collecting the vehicle. You may be able to recover this excess as part of an uninsured loss claim (see below). All insurers will require a claim form to be completed for all incidents but most will complete this over the phone with you. They will check the details against what was put on the proposal form and will also check with other insurers to see if you have made any other claims in the past. Reporting a claim RETURN TO TOP
ALL MOTOR CLAIMS SHOULD BE REPORTED TO THE CLAIMS DEPARTMENT ON FREEPHONE 0800 195 2101
Uninsured Loss Recovery RETURN TO TOP If your own policy does not cover your loss you may be able to claim against the other party. We offer all our customers uninsured loss recovery cover on new business and renewals for a nominal cost of £15 a year. Cover is arranged with AIM Legal Expenses. They will assist you in making a claim and for large claims especially those with injuries involved they will appoint a solicitor to handle your claim at no extra cost. They do not retain any of your claim settlement. They can assist in recovering your policy excess, repair costs, injury claims, loss of income, damage to clothing and effects, alternative transport etc. They can also arrange for replacement vehicles whilst you await repairs. Please be wary of adverts from solicitors offering a no win no fee service. They will probably retain up to 30% of your claim in fees!!. What if my vehicle is written off? RETURN TO TOP If, the vehicle is damaged beyond repair or after a theft where the vehicle is not recovered the insurers will write off the vehicle. Even if the vehicle is repairable it may be uneconomical to do so and cheaper for the insurer to declare it a total loss. The will ask an engineer to assess the pre accident value of the vehicle and make an offer subject to satisfactory checks on the vehicle ownership with DVLA, any previous claims on the vehicle reported on the central insurer registrar, any outstanding finance any police confirmation of any recovery. If there is any outstanding HP on the vehicle this will be settled first and any balance sent to you after deduction of the policy excess. If you are not happy with an offer they will request sight of evidence of your valuation, ie adverts in autotrader etc for similar models, extra service receipts etc. Some insurers will cancel your policy after a total loss claim. Others may allow you to transfer cover to another vehicle through to renewal.
What about my no claim bonus ? (NCB) RETURN TO TOP In the event of a claim being made against your insurers your no claim bonus will be reduced, usually by 2 years. Remember it is a no claim bonus not a no blame bonus so even if you are claiming for your vehicle being damaged whilst unattended your bonus will be affected. Whilst a claim is ongoing the bonus will be temporarily lost. If this occurs at renewal your premiums will be increased. However should you make a successful recovery of your uninsured losses and the insurers recover their outlay from the other parties insurer then they will be able to reinstate the bonus. If you had to pay more at renewal then you will then be credited back. In the event of a theft or fault claim insurers may also apply premium loadings. Third party not insured/drove off? RETURN TO TOP You should report the details to the police immediately. You may be able to claim for injuries under the Motor Insurer Bureau scheme. Please contact the claims department on 0800 195 2101.
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