At-Fault Driver Says Insurer Is Withholding Claim Number

Embaloo on 26/06/2020 - 17:40

Hey team, my car got rear ended whilst stopped at traffic lights.

My comp insurer is online only and the first link they give me when starting a claim says that if the other party puts through a claim then we can just go through their third party insurer, so we are trying to do that.

The at-fault driver (p player) is saying they put through a claim and that their insurer is withholding the claim number until at least tuesday. That will make it a week from.the accident.

Could this be true or are they just stuffing us around and should we go through our own comp insurer??

Extra details
- Not sure if I should drive the car as the back has been pushed in, can see through the boot when looking from.the driver seat when it's closed. Plus surface scratches.

Have dash cam footage which shows me being stopped for a few seconds (after a slow pull-up). Also have photos of other car a minute after we pulled up. Did not hit car in front since I had safe distance.

Other friends have said even when they were not at fault in accidents, and it was proved thus, their premium has gone up, so that's what we are trying to avoid.

  • the driver and I exchanged all details at the time, and I wrote down everything that happened including them admitting fault and apologising, and they occasionally text back to me.

  • I hate car accidents and stuffing around.

  • we need our car as we are moving next week.

  • would appreciate advice.

Automotive

Comments

  • PissLUR on 26/06/2020 - 17:46
    +21

    if you have a comprehensive insurance, why would you want to go through the hoops of claiming from the other insurer? doesnt make any sense!

    • Seraphin7 on 26/06/2020 - 17:52
      +1

      100% correct. Don't stuff around. Get your insurer onto it. If the other party wants to stuff around, they can do so with your insurer, not you.

    • Ughhh on 26/06/2020 - 17:58
      +12

      Because next time you get an insurance quote and they all of you've made a claim (doesn't matter if at fault or not), you have to say yes =higher premiums.

      • Drakesy on 26/06/2020 - 18:06

        ^ This

      • Boogerman on 27/06/2020 - 10:32
        +1

        But you haven’t ‘made a claim’ since they pursue the other party/their insurer for costs

        • Ughhh on 27/06/2020 - 11:12
          -4

          ?? Are you replying to the right person?

      • Zachary on 27/06/2020 - 12:14

        May as well charge premium on the get go instead of asking this, on the off chance they've made a claim. This the same as work compo, have you claim any in the past x months or years? Yes? - well then I don't need you, next candidate please.

    • Embaloo on 26/06/2020 - 18:54

      I thought this too but our recommends first going through theirs. Low cost… And this ^ yeah.

      • idonteven on 27/06/2020 - 21:22
        +2

        Yeah they recommend this so that they (your insurance) doesn’t need to do the work that you are paying them for.

        • Euphemistic on 28/06/2020 - 14:56

          the work that you are paying them for.

          Except budget insurers have factored in making the policy holder do some of the work to reduce premiums.

    • WoodYouLikeSomeCash on 26/06/2020 - 18:01

      That happened in the UK.

      • [Deactivated] on 26/06/2020 - 18:35

        How about this for something more local?

        https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8433847/Woman-drive…

        • crentist on 26/06/2020 - 19:21
          +3

          ah sucked in for the owner in the passenger seat. if they dont know who the driver is, i wonder if they were trying to show off their awesome car on a first date and let the date drive. did not go well

          also funny that the dumb uk story is on a crap aus news site, and the dumb aus story is on a crap uk news site

          • Embaloo on 26/06/2020 - 19:28

            @crentist: Wow. And wow. And lol.

          • elgrande on 26/06/2020 - 20:36
            +3

            @crentist:

            funny that the dumb uk story is on a crap aus news site, and the dumb aus story is on a crap uk news site

            Must be part of the new tim tam free trade agreement..

  • [Deactivated] on 26/06/2020 - 17:54

    My comp insurer is online only

    There is your first mistake.

    • Embaloo on 26/06/2020 - 18:55

      My tax man friend thought they were reputable. They have been so far.

      • ssquid on 26/06/2020 - 20:06

        How many other claims have you made?

      • pjetson on 26/06/2020 - 20:12

        Is this your first claim with them?

        • Embaloo on 26/06/2020 - 20:29

          I should clarify - they have been so far in all the fine print and details of the PDS. Yes it's my first claim or non-claim.

      • elgrande on 26/06/2020 - 20:37

        the ATO?

        • Embaloo on 26/06/2020 - 20:40
          +4

          Ex-ATo man yes. As in retired, not assassinated.

  • newak on 26/06/2020 - 18:10
    +3

    Having comp insurance means your insurer deals with it. Let the insurance companies fight each other later if they have to but your car will be repaired.

    • Embaloo on 26/06/2020 - 18:57

      Ok. We keep planning to, then got hope that the other dude will cooperate. They seemed so genuine at the scene then just turn on you when they have someone talking in their ear. Why can't people just take responsibility for their own actions. Why the injustice!!!
      End rant!!

    • bdl on 26/06/2020 - 19:52
      +1

      Exactly, the OP is paying their insurer to deal with BS like this. That's why you pay them the big bux! let them deal with it :)

      • Embaloo on 26/06/2020 - 20:03
        +1

        Yeah I understand. My reluctance to make a claim with them is that if the job they have to fix isn't that bad, it may not be worth my premiums going up for the next three years. If you look below you'll see the company suggestion.

  • dizzle on 26/06/2020 - 18:30
    +1

    It seems you purchased a cheap insurance, and therefore you're getting cheap service.

    The way it's supposed to go is you lodge a claim, your insurer repairs your car and chases up the other party's insurance to pay for it.

    Some insurances "protect" your rating, so that it will not go up after an accident (ie rating 1 for life). If not then yes your premium will probably go up.
    The only way around this is not making a claim and you following up with the other insurance. But that's what you pay your insurance for. It's way too much hassle doing the work yourself to save a little money

    • Zachary on 27/06/2020 - 12:16

      A little could be lots of money if you opt to not have insurance and never get or got into a crash….

  • Embaloo on 26/06/2020 - 18:53

    Thanks guys, helpful. We will lodge through our own. Yeah it was $300 cheaper than any others. Hah lambourgini no, think two cars under 10k.

    • Randxyz123 on 26/06/2020 - 19:18
      +1

      Who was your insurer? I'd have told them to do their job when they suggested going to the other insurer…

      Other driver, might not actually have insurance or is stalling to see what you will do.

      • Embaloo on 26/06/2020 - 19:22

        Ooo. Bingle. Super cheap, underwritten by suncorp. See the first link after you start to make a claim:

        "You can lodge a claim directly through the responsible party's insurer. This means you'll avoid paying an excess upfront, your renewal premium won't be affected as a result of the claim and it can also help us to continue to offer you cheaper premiums.

        If you'd prefer or the responsible party doesn't have insurance, you can lodge a claim with Bingle, but you'll be required to pay your excess upfront. We'll refund the excess in full if we decide that you or the person driving your car was not at fault and you've provided the other party's details. However, when you renew your policy, your premium may be affected as a result of you claiming, even if you're not at fault.

        To lodge a claim with the responsible party's insurer you'll need:

        The name and phone number of the responsible party's insurer, and/or
        The responsible party's claim number."

        • dizzle on 26/06/2020 - 20:16
          +2

          Wow, I understand that if you make a claim you have to pay the excess and premiums likely go up, but that's a dodgy statement.

          "You're paying us, so we'll do the work if you really want. But we don't really want to so it's going to cost extra"

  • [Deactivated] on 26/06/2020 - 20:34
    +1

    Bingle lol. This a classic example of going cheap, and the saying you only know how good your insurance is when you need to claim. I have had over $120k house and car claims with NRMA and not 1 problem.
    You get what you pay for.

    • Embaloo on 26/06/2020 - 20:37

      Well, I haven't yet actually tried to claim through them, so not bagging them out yet (besides that first suggestion). Although yes from their suggestion above.
      :S
      I'll let you know how they are when/if we do actually claim through them. We did know upfront that we'd first have to pay any excess, then get it back when innocence was demonstrated, we thought that was reasonable when signing up.

      But also wow with nrma. Yeah I suppose you do get what you paid for. How are your premiums looking?

      • [Deactivated] on 26/06/2020 - 20:55

        Sure they are more expensive than budget companies. My vehicle is $50k and a business tax right off but still insure our other car with them, I had a $15k claim 2 years ago, my fault no other cars involved, no probs. A few years ago had a pipe burst in the house, $65k damage, had to move out for 2 months while 130m2 of blackbutt flooring was replaced, nrma paid for everything, holiday house, dog boarding, internet.
        Can’t fault them myself.

        • Embaloo on 26/06/2020 - 20:57
          +1

          Dog boarding!! :) Sweet man. I have roadside assist with them, so am keeping my ties, depending on how this pays out I may follow suit next time around.
          And I'll also get a dog ;)

      • zerocritical on 27/06/2020 - 07:26
        +1

        I have been with Bingle for years now and have been in similar situation as OP. Though the website says the premiums may go up, I can confirm it didn't go up for me. The claim process was rather simple and hassle free and got my excess back within a week.

        • Embaloo on 27/06/2020 - 09:52

          Wow zc, that's good news! Some hope!!

      • Embaloo on 04/09/2020 - 21:58
        +1

        Can now confirm that I have claimed through Bingle and it went smoothly.

  • Bargainbattles on 26/06/2020 - 21:05

    No matter if your not at fault if you have an accident your record is affected they say it isn't but trust me it is

  • Euphemistic on 26/06/2020 - 21:48
    +1

    It’s cheaper insurance for a reason. Online only saves money, but costs you in other ways.

    You now need to decide wether to pay the excess up front to get he ball rolling quicker or to wait for the other party.

  • Embaloo on 26/06/2020 - 21:55

    Yeah. So my actual question hasn't been answered, anyone have any thoughts
    - The at-fault driver (p player) is saying they put through a claim and that their insurer is withholding the claim number until at least tuesday. That will make it a week from.the accident.

    Could this be true or are they just stuffing us around and should we go through our own comp insurer??

    • Peter Enis on 27/06/2020 - 20:55

      Wait until Tuesday then? Insurance claims can take months to settle.
      Shouldn't stop you from from getting your car repaired anyway since you intend to claim against the other party they can't dictate where you get it repaired.

  • [Deactivated] on 26/06/2020 - 23:22

    Just lodge the claim, upload all the videos and photos, remember to say the other guy was at fault, let them do the rest.

    Waiting around for the goose who cant drive to be a cool manly man….are you serious?

    Had my car fixed with Bingle, think it took 10 days total, car in shop for 2 days, even got a free taxi!

    • Embaloo on 26/06/2020 - 23:27
      +1

      Ha thanks man.

      • [Deactivated] on 26/06/2020 - 23:45
        +1

        Also you dont have to contact the other driver, thats all for your insurer to figure out and process.
        Block that number or keep the circus going, ya know?

        • Embaloo on 26/06/2020 - 23:46

          Thanks. Ok. Anything change with ur premiums - by much? Or have you renewed as yet?

          • zerocritical on 27/06/2020 - 07:29
            +2

            @Embaloo: Didn't go up for me. Just as a test, try two new quotes on their website. One starting 0 not at fault claims and one with 1 not at fault claims and check the difference in quote. Mine was 0 difference.

            • Embaloo on 27/06/2020 - 09:52

              @zerocritical: Oooo thanks will do so!

            • Embaloo on 27/06/2020 - 10:01
              +1

              @zerocritical: Just did so. It's more expensive than the current policy, I'll have to look into that, but yeah looks to be the same with 1 or zero. There you go. Makes things easier zc. Thanks for your first hand experience.

              • zerocritical on 27/06/2020 - 10:43
                +1

                @Embaloo: It would be more expensive in general as the insurance prices go up every year not because of a not at fault claim.

                • Embaloo on 27/06/2020 - 11:57
                  +1

                  @zerocritical: Oh Cool thanks for that. Thanks for your insurance knowledge.

  • sathion on 28/06/2020 - 17:44

    Went through a similar situation about a month ago, wife was driving and someone ran into the back of the car at the lights where everyone stopped to let a ambulance through.

    The guy seemed genuine but when we pressed for insurance claim details from his end along with the insurance company he claimed to be at nothing happened, ended up just going through our Youi insurance and everything was dealt with straight away.

    Unsure if that will increase our premiums, multiple people are Youi said it wouldn't because it wasn't an at fault claim so see how that goes down the line.

    • Embaloo on 29/06/2020 - 09:59

      Wow man, yeah so rotten!! Thanks for your first hand experience.
      People these days :(
      I have decided to go through with the claim on my end, and it was very quick. Putting the car in tomorrow for an assessment, will see how quick it takes. Apparently there will be a 15min assessment then they'll tell me about how long it'll take to fix.

      I took the above guy's advice about checking the quotes with one not-at-fault claim vs zero aims and the quote is the same too, so yeah let's see what happens after he situation. I hope yours are all good too.

  • Embaloo on 04/09/2020 - 22:01

    Resolved, for others' info: Bingle claim went through fine no issues.
    Car fixed, and got Ubers to and from repairer, organised by Bingle. Good overall on their side after all.
    Still yet to renew policy, but seems to be no change in premiums when I get a quote.
    Stalling on other party seemed to be due to driver possibly not being on the policy that the car had, so was legit on saying that it wasn't resolved.

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