Do I need to declare a 'notification'?

Honest John Back Room » Legal matters
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Fri 30 Dec 2011 20:30
Do I need to declare a 'notification'? - Watch

Hi, I'm really confused so I hope someone can help me.

The other week my car understeered into a field (4AM and foggy/icy). I had to call the breakdown cover that I bought with my insurance to recover the car as its little trip off road buckled a wheel on a rock and has caused an electrical short somewhere meaning the engine wouldn't start and because of where it ended up they had to lift it over a wall to remove it.

I told my insurance that I don't want to make a claim (NCD is worth more than the car...) and after inspecting the damage fully when I got it home I've decided to scrap it as it's not economic to repair (even doing it myself). They told me that my no-claims is unaffected and that they've recorded it as a 'notification'.

There were no other vehicles involved and no property damage at all, to all intents and purposes I chose to drive it into a field and the car got stuck.

So my question is, do I have to declare this as an accident when applying for new insurance next year?

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Fri 30 Dec 2011 20:42
Do I need to declare a 'notification'? - RT

The usual question is "Any accidents, claims or convictions" so the pedantic answer is yes.

I like the style of "my car understeered into a field" rather than "I lost control and crashed"

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Fri 30 Dec 2011 20:47
Do I need to declare a 'notification'? - Watch

That's what's getting me confused, yes it was an accident, but then it would also be an accident if I hit a speed bump too hard and my (very old) suspension gave out, would I need to mention that, or is it a breakdown?

Oh, sorry I wasn't vague enough for you, I thought giving the actual method of losing control would be more honest but I guess not.

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Thu 12 Jan 2012 17:14
Do I need to declare a 'notification'? - concrete

Hello watch, surely a claim is just that, a claim! If your insurance company haven't paid anything out, then it is not a claim. Therefore, you would not declare having not made a claim to any potential insurer. Your present insurer may load your premium on the basis that it is aware of your accident and therefore your risk is now higher, but a new insurer is unaware of your accident and it should not be on record as a claim. Morally there may be a dilema here, but legally you have no claims to declare, if that is the question put to you in the proposal form.

Your decision now, but you can only answer questions put you unless there is a clause which stipulates you should disclose any material information which may affect your insurer. Who decides what is material and what is not? Personally if you have an otherwise excellent driving record and this is a one off I would say nothing. Good luck. Concrete

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