Icy crash insurance question - pcvpilotmick

Well, its finally happened. After 13 and a half years of collision free bus driving, I was driving my bus this morning and came across a minor accident that was blocking the road. I pulled into the side of the road a short distance away whilst the two drivers exchanged details, and sat there with my hazard lights on to warn traffic approaching behind me. The two women had just started to move their cars when a Volvo came from the opposite direction and lost control on the icy road. He slammed into one of the cars, shunting it across the road straight into the front of my bus. A few second later, another woman approached and lost control in exactly the same manor, bouncing off the Peugeot that was embedded in my front bumper.

Fortunatley there were no injuries.

My question is this, even though I was driving a work vehicle and was 100% blame free, backed up by witnesses and my cctv, do I need to declare this incident to my insurers when I renew my car policy?

Icy crash insurance question - pcvpilotmick

Cheeky sod in the Volvo had the nerve to state, "That'll be knock for knock"!

Icy crash insurance question - RT

Your answer to the question "any accidents, claims or convictions" will have to be yes - but it will (should) be declared a "no fault" accident and not affect your car premium. I think there's a probability that's if it's not all resolved by the time your renewal comes up that you'll need to pay a higher premium but get the difference back when it's all sorted.

Icy crash insurance question - pcvpilotmick

I had a feeling that would be the case! Thanks RT

Icy crash insurance question - Hamsafar

Based on my experience, if you mention it, it will affect your premium significantly.

I would spawn an alta-ego and not declare it, but you can do as you will.

These quotes are generated by computers following objective sets of rules, the tickbox won't have a "but..." field next to it.

Edited by Hamsafar on 14/12/2012 at 20:54

Icy crash insurance question - pcvpilotmick

I could understand it if I was in my car instead of a bus, but its very harsh to be financially penalised for something like this. Oh well, c'est la vie.......

Icy crash insurance question - Pyranha
Two comments on that:

1). The AA insurance online quotation/proposal form asks if you have made any claims, but doesn't ask about non-claim incidents. It would appear you can legitimately omit to mention anything you chose to repair for yourself. I can't comment on other companies' requirements but it may pay to read the form carefully.

2) on the other hand, a few years ago my wife took my car to work and I was using hers. I went to some local shops and when I came out I saw someone reverse into our car (a Discovery -she "hadn't seen it"). It was repaired as a non-fault claim but, when my insurance was renewed, I suffered an increase because we admitted I had parked the car where it was hit, and a month later my wife's renewal had a significant increase because of the accident. Obviously, had I been on the ball, I could have claimed compensation from the at-fault driver for the increased premiums, as these are 'losses' incurred as a result of her negligence. I believe the theory is that being in an accident (even one obviously not your fault) is a predictor that you happen to be out when or where accidents occur - now that's awkward for a bus driver since you don't have much choice where you go, so that might be worth arguing over.
Icy crash insurance question - RT

It's a claim accident - presumably the bus company will be claiming from the car(s) insurance.

Icy crash insurance question - pcvpilotmick

I dont think that they will bother, there was nothing but a few minor scratches on the bumper, when I took it back to the depot and showed it to the mechanics they just laughed and sent it straight back out into service

Icy crash insurance question - pcvpilotmick

I dont think that they will bother, there was nothing but a few minor scratches on the bumper, when I took it back to the depot and showed it to the mechanics they just laughed and sent it straight back out into service

Ok, I stand corrected. Just found out today that they are pursuing the other driver for £268 to replace a headlight trim which was cracked in the collision. I hadnt spotted the "small crack" in the plastic trim!

Icy crash insurance question - Simon
I have been in a very similar position myself in my truck. Please yourself, but I have always played dumb about being 'involved', ie as far as I am concerned the vehicle was parked up at the time hence I wasn't driving it. I reckon you could think along those lines when it comes to insurance renewal time...
Icy crash insurance question - Dwight Van Driver
If they braked because you were stationary under RTA 88 you will be classed as being indirectly involved i.e. "owing to to the presence of a motor vehicle on a road an accident occurs ...etc" and because of damage to them and none to you there is a need to stop and report requirement under the Act.

You may wish to report matter to your Insurers to be on the safe side pointing out your indirect involvement.

dvd