Comprehensive insurance excess for accident caused by other driver

tradiesunited on 27/01/2018 - 20:43

Hi ozbargainers,

I got hit in the rear by another car the damage is not excessive and my car is pretty old. My comprehensive wants me to pay $800 upfront first to investigate and if its not my fault they would refund the amount. But I am thinking that how about the other driver does not own up to the accident and then I would be out of pocket $800. Also the damage is pretty minor i think would cost under $800 to fix. Also I was unable ot get the other guys insurance details and drivers license because he drove away but have his license plate and police reported after incident.

I would like to ask whether it is worth it to put through the claim even though the damage may cost less than excess pay? Is it worth it and whether i would be stuck paying both repairs and claim fee if the other guy doesn't own up.
Will my excess increase in the future?

Kind regards,

Automotive

Comments

  • airal3rt on 27/01/2018 - 20:46

    Given you got rear-ended the insurance company will likely find the other party at fault. Did you get any photos and/or video footage of the accident?

    I was unable to get the other guys insurance details and drivers license because he drove away

    So you were the victim of a hit and run then? Have the police indicated if they are intending to charge him with leaving the scene of accident? That will work in your favour for insurance purposes.

    • thatonethere on 27/01/2018 - 21:01

      Generally if you cant identify the driver you are stuck with the excess. Even if not at fault. Even if you contact the police.

      • airal3rt on 27/01/2018 - 21:08

        He has a number plate and claims to be the victim of a hit and run so if police follow up and charge the driver with leaving the scene of an accident OP will absolutely not be stuck with the excess.

  • John Kimble on 27/01/2018 - 20:53

    Your premium would likely increase if you claimed.

  • Euphemistic on 27/01/2018 - 21:14

    Maybe get a quote for the repairs first?

  • whooah1979 on 27/01/2018 - 21:24

    his license plate

    Not license plate. It's number plate, registration or rego.

  • mysterytal on 27/01/2018 - 21:30

    You don't know who the driver is so I would just leave it. As you say the repair cost will be less than the excess just fix it.

    The owner of the other car may end up denying everything, you end up paying more out so I wouldn't bother.

    Your future premiums will go up.

    • barbarella on 28/01/2018 - 10:42

      Yeah….I had a car run into me in broad daylight, and then they took off…got their registration number and reported it to police. When police talked to them they denied it and I was told it was my word against theirs so not worth going ahead with the case *sigh …it sucks.. I know :/

      • shapers on 28/01/2018 - 16:47

        Same thing happened to me when I was a learner. Once I got my P's I installed front and rear dashcams so it doesn't happen again :)

  • SPCTRE on 27/01/2018 - 22:02
    +2

    “My comprehensive wants me to pay $800 upfront first to investigate”

    OP needs to find a better insurance policy.
    And yes if you claim and they cannot recover the cost, you will lose your excess and premiums will increase.
    Without any witness whatsoever it’s your word against other party words. Can always say you reversed into them and then did a runner but you went to police station first to report it.
    Find a better policy, get a dashcam and you’ll have a stronger case in the future.

  • iforgotmysocks on 27/01/2018 - 23:17

    Yes.

  • [Deactivated] on 28/01/2018 - 00:14

    Yes make a claim

  • tradiesunited on 28/01/2018 - 10:18

    Can I cancel the claim since I already did t

    • John Kimble on 28/01/2018 - 11:24
      +1

      Ask them

    • Lllxxxii on 28/01/2018 - 12:06

      I think you can. I was hit by another car from other driver’s fault years ago. Both of us made the claim, other driver’s insurance company contacted me to cancel my claim, and I did it as I had free rental car from them.

  • ClintonL on 29/01/2018 - 11:17

    I'm with bingle and got rear ended last week too. Other party stopped and gave me details but they were uninsured, filed a police report etc. Had to pay 1400 excess. They also told me even though i wasn't at fault if the party doesn't pay i don't get my money back, (that's if they even pick up for phone and accept it which i highly doubt).

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