[NSW] Insurance Claiming Advice: What Should I Do?

LDr Fruit on 12/07/2021 - 12:43

My car was parked in a parking lot, and someone backing up into the parking spot behind me had their tow bar denting and scratching my rear bumper. The damage is super minor and hardly recognizable. In the moment, I didn't get their driver's license information or anything, except their plate number. I did get some pictures of his tow bar actually contacting my bumper if that helps.

I'm just seeking advice on whether or not it is worth it to claim this through my comprehensive insurance provider? I actually do have some other unrelated pre-existing damage on my rear bumper and I'm fairly sure the whole thing needs to be replaced. I heard that even not-at-fault claims will impact my premium, but if it'll allow me to replace my rear bumper maybe it's worth it? The actual damage from this accident itself definitely doesn't warrant a complete replacement, will the insurance company be willing to foot it, or maybe let me pay the difference? My car is a 2009 Honda Civic.

I'd thought about asking the other person to foot the bill or go through their insurance. But then I remembered that I don't have their contact information.

Thanks for y'all's advice

Automotive Car Insurance Insurance

Comments

  • Fredfloresjr on 12/07/2021 - 12:53
    +1

    send the Rego to your insurance company and let them deal with it.

    • Euphemistic on 12/07/2021 - 14:20
      +1

      And pay the excess while you wait to chase them up? Then potentially be out of pocket when the other party refuses to pay?

  • FoxJump on 12/07/2021 - 12:57
    +6

    afaik number plate is not enough to lodge an insurance claim. You need to have at least their address, preferrably phone number, and license information.

    Just .. let it go. Much easier.

    Source: I once tried to claim based on a number plate only and NRMA said no

    • Dr Fruit on 12/07/2021 - 13:22

      Yeah I guess so. I’ll call and see if they can work their magic.

    • Phlume on 12/07/2021 - 13:22

      What if the driver commits a hit and run and drives off without providing their details? Would dashcam footage help?

      • Dr Fruit on 12/07/2021 - 13:26

        Yeah this is basically that I guess. Except in a hit and run I think you can do up a police report and the police may help with getting their info (without giving it to you, not sure how it goes from there). Because hit and run is illegal.

        But this is my own bad I guess not getting all their info.

    • lgacb08 on 13/07/2021 - 08:35

      Depending on which one you go with, the cheaper one generally ask you to do some detective works beforehand whilst some will take care of the rest because it's been accounted for in your premium.

  • SF3 on 12/07/2021 - 13:18
    +2

    The damage is super minor and hardly recognizable.
    I actually do have some other unrelated pre-existing damage on my rear bumper and I'm fairly sure the whole thing needs to be replaced.

    You pay for it / via your own insurance. You only thought about repairing it, due to existing (more significant) damage, afterwards. I don’t see why the other party should pay (even partial) for your existing damage.

    • Dr Fruit on 12/07/2021 - 13:25
      +1

      Well they did damage my property… at the very least they should pay for a dent and repaint job right? It’s minor damage but it’s still damage. Which would probably be more expensive than finding a bumper for a 2009 Honda Civic anyway.

      But yeah I think your advice is sensible. I’ll probably just cop it. Thanks :)

      • Brian McGee on 12/07/2021 - 16:24

        the amount of damage they have done is probably insignificant next to the other more serious damage. Your insurance may wonder where this damage came from if you haven't mentioned it before on renewal of you policy and may reject your claim outright, and the other parties insurance will only pay for the small amount of damage their client caused. The you will need to find someone to actually do the work on such a small amount of damage, the only way you will get a new bumper is by paying for the balance of the repair (i.e: minor damage =$200, bumper replacement and painting/installation = $1000, you will still be out of pocket $800) plus your insurance generally won't cover your costs below your excess.

    • cloudy on 12/07/2021 - 14:23
      +1

      Are you suggesting because there is existing damage OP has no right to ask the other party to fix their fault? And if fixing their fault damage leads to other existing minor damage/blemish being fixed Is wrong?

      I think OP is well within his rights

      • Euphemistic on 12/07/2021 - 14:33

        As long as OP only gets a price to repair the damage caused by the other party. Ie cost to repair bumper damage usually means a new bumper. New bumper may also replace other damage on the bumper but you can’t then expect the other party to pay for a tail light

        • cloudy on 12/07/2021 - 14:59

          There is no mention Op wants the other party to fix other damages unrelated to the damaged caused.

    • Chandler on 13/07/2021 - 09:51

      The insurer would also be well within their rights to void the policy due to the vehicle having existing undisclosed damage.

      • Dr Fruit on 13/07/2021 - 14:20

        Well when I purchased the policy those damages were not there yet. I’ve gotten them since my purchase of the policy, I just didn’t get them repaired yet - so I didn’t hide anything from the insurance company.

  • holdenmg on 12/07/2021 - 13:19
    +2

    Super Minor? nah…

    Bumper did the job.

  • pharkurnell on 12/07/2021 - 13:28
    +1

    The damage is super minor and hardly recognizable

    Then do nothing wait till someone does more damage next time then claim it.

    • Dr Fruit on 12/07/2021 - 13:50

      Someone come rear end me please

      • Fredfloresjr on 12/07/2021 - 15:23

        Keep driving around Cabramatta

      • AdosHouse on 12/07/2021 - 17:22
        +1

        In my head I can just hear George Takai saying "oh my".

  • Pelicannn on 12/07/2021 - 13:39
    +1

    Rego and police report will suffice insurance requirements in most instances. Dunno why you didn't get their licence or address. If they are at fault you aren't burning your insurance, you are using theirs which your insurance company will do on your behalf.

    It won't affect your NCB if you aren't at fault (at least with my insurance company it doesn't) so surely the answer is claim it. Now onto the other half, their insurance company is only liable to pay for the repairs to your car for the damage that was done. It isn't their job to fix a whole panel of marks if they only made one on the panel. If you want to claim the panel you will probably need to go through your own insurance as well, which will affect your NCB and you will pay an excess. If the damage was there prior to you insuring your car then the insurance company won't fix it, that's why you tick the box for "pre-existing damage" if there is any.

    • Euphemistic on 12/07/2021 - 14:22

      Claiming for not at fault may increase your risk rating, which will increase insurance premiums.

      Get a quote for repair before you contact the insurer to help decide if it’s worth it’

      • SnoozeAndLose on 12/07/2021 - 14:28

        Claiming for not at fault also increase the risk rating?

        How can you know, I want to understand more. so the insurer is profiting from it and also increasing my risk because of my bad luck?

        • Euphemistic on 12/07/2021 - 14:30

          On anecdotal evidence this is the case. Maybe not for a one off, but it’s highly likely to happen if you have more than one.

          Think. If you were an insurer and your customer started having not at fault claims would you think they were a greater risk? And would you then charge them for the privilege? They aren’t profiting from it as such, more like recouping their costs.

        • Ughhh on 12/07/2021 - 17:24
          +1

          Most insurers ask how many claims you have made, regardless whether you were at fault or not.

          • SnoozeAndLose on 12/07/2021 - 17:51
            +1

            @Ughhh: I remember NRMA ask how many at fault claim is being made in the past 3years only

            • Ughhh on 12/07/2021 - 18:43
              +1

              @SnoozeAndLose: Allianz:

              Has this driver had any accidents/claims in the past 5 years?

              Not all ask, but some do, and this will make prices less competitive for you in the long run.

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