Damaged Whilst Parked and How to Claim

Sydneyswans on 28/12/2022 - 13:26
Last edited 28/12/2022 - 18:00

Okay, long story short. Previously with NRMA/IAG insurance full comprehensive with policy ending on the 13 Jan. NRMA decided to charge $1600 for my renewal so I walked away signed up with budget direct as they offered to charge me $500 less than NRMA.

My car was parked near my parents house over Christmas and we just took the family in one car for any Christmas gatherings and not mine. Unfortunately my parents street is a Christmas light street so good luck parking close by as too many people clog up parking spots on all hours of the night to see the lights. Also it's a new estate so road width is barely enough for two cars.

At some point from Christmas Eve until now someone has reversed into me and done a runner. In between Christmas and boxing day car was moved closer to the house once all the Christmas light people had moved on and I assume now that it was probably a neighbour. Police report lodged but doubtful they'll catch the bastard who did it. Car is fine and drivable but worry about the value of the car with this new damage.

Problem is now is that NRMA Policy details are not showing on my NRMA App as policy is expiring I guess they removed my level of access. The NRMA excess of $695 is also a big amount to consider.

The Budget direct excess is $750. I haven't told either insurance provider about the accident and I'm not sure what to do. If they do later on find the culprit then how can I claim with budget direct for an accident that happened whilst I was on the NRMA Policy?

I'm in way over my head and so annoyed and it's going to take time out of my annual leave so how should I proceed?

Link to damage pic https://ibb.co/XC0gGGX

Automotive Car Insurance Insurance

Comments

  • AngoraFish on 28/12/2022 - 13:38
    +19

    You need to claim through NRMA, which covers you through to 13 Jan. You may need to give them a call if you can't use the app. That's pretty straight forward.

    You will need to disclose the claim to Budget Direct, which may effect your premium as it will be considered effectively an at-fault claim. If I were you I'd cancel the Budget Direct policy before it activates and renew the NRMA policy and wear the extra premium at this point. It's going to be much simpler than trying to have Budget Direct cover the car while it's still in the panel beaters.

    • md333 on 29/12/2022 - 12:35
      -1

      It wouldn't be an "at fault" claim. They have a separate category for hit while parked. You would need to pay the excess like an at fault claim, but doesn't have the same effect on premiums.

      • Jono05 on 30/12/2022 - 12:18

        It’s counted as an at fault claim because you can’t identify the person that caused the accident. OP, police won’t be looking for the person that caused the damage, you can forget about that.

        • md333 on 30/12/2022 - 12:22
          +1

          When you apply for an insurance policy, they ask if you've had any claims.
          In my experience when you say you have had a claim, they ask for further information.
          "hit while parked' and "at fault" are separate categories, so you would not list it as an "at fault" claim.
          If you find an insurer that doesn't distinguish, it might be better not to insure with them.

          • Jono05 on 30/12/2022 - 12:27

            @md333: Never heard of this one before. What stops you saying that you got hit while parked when in fact you might have done the hitting?

            • md333 on 30/12/2022 - 12:41

              @Jono05: Probably easy to get away with. Not sure why you'd bother as you have to pay the excess either way.
              I imagine if you have a record of repeatedly getting hit in carparks your premium might go up regardless of whose fault you say it is.
              How they decide premiums is a complete mystery to me. But I had one claim that wrote off both cars and no increase in premium. I suspect the 30 years without a claim before hand counts for something.

              • Jono05 on 30/12/2022 - 12:51

                @md333: Totally agree that it’s a mystery how they calculate premiums. Most probably don’t care about loyalty but it’s a good thing if they do.

                • md333 on 30/12/2022 - 15:21

                  @Jono05: Not about loyalty, just statistics. If you've had 1 claim in 30 years they can assume you are fairly safe. If you've had 1 claim in 1 year they can't tell if you are a poor risk, or were just unlucky, so will cover themselves and assume the first.
                  (the 30 years can be spread over many different insurers).

                  • Brick50 on 30/12/2022 - 22:53

                    @md333: When you disclose you have had a claim during a quote they will ask you if it was at fault w/ excess payable, not at fault, not at fault with excess payable (OP situation) or weather event etc. I don't think I have ever seen the option that would benefit OP.

                    I had an animal strike 2 years ago which is a bit different but effectively the same catagory OP falls into

  • websterp on 28/12/2022 - 13:40
    +4

    When is the Budget Direct policy starting? If it starts on the day NRMA policy is ending then claiming through BD would obviously be fraud.

    • ihbh on 28/12/2022 - 14:25
      +2

      would obviously be fraud.

      Only if he says the incident occurred after 13 Jan.

      If he says it occurred before, they'll tell him to get his head checked and bugger off.

  • 4Eva on 28/12/2022 - 14:12
    +2

    It might be cheaper just to pay to fix it yourself and not tell the insurance companies…

    I've had this happen many times, and my local mechanic has only charged $600 or so.

    • Muzeeb on 28/12/2022 - 14:16
      +3

      Your mechanic performs panel repairs? Nice.

      • pegaxs on 28/12/2022 - 15:41
        +1

        Why not? We offer it if it isn't mangled beyond all recognition. Most bumps and bruises can just be popped back out or we call in a paintless dent removal guy who fixes it for a fraction of what a panel shop would quote.

        • The tiger on 29/12/2022 - 08:57

          Hi, Pegaaxs, I have my car got damages too like what Oz’s shown here. Some bruises done to my car bumper . Please show me some appropriate addresses as I couldn’t afford the expensive ones. Heaps of Thanks for your much needed help. Will be profoundly appropriated.

          • naruto128 on 29/12/2022 - 09:51

            @The tiger: Same here Pegaaxs. My car was dented from a hit n run too and not worth claiming insurance. Appreciate the contact details for the dent repair guy if in NSW.

            • pegaxs on 29/12/2022 - 19:07
              +1

              @naruto128: Just Google “paintless dent removal *your_suburb*” and it should turn up someone who you can take it to to see if they can help. There is a limit to how much damage they can repair though and it’s only for minor damage.

    • Jono05 on 30/12/2022 - 12:22

      Yeah this. Get a quote for repairs. Might be more worth it than going through insurance even if it’s a bit more dearer, that way your premiums/ ncb won’t be affected.

  • CurlCurl on 28/12/2022 - 14:48
    +2

    Photo of damage!

    • Sydneyswans on 28/12/2022 - 14:57
      +2

      https://ibb.co/XC0gGGX here mate

      • Muzeeb on 28/12/2022 - 15:20
        +5

        Ouch.

        That panel covers the roofline across the whole right side.

        Definitely insurance. That's a time consuming and expensive repair.

      • brendanm on 28/12/2022 - 15:28
        +3

        That will cost far more than your excess. Call nrma and get the ball rolling.

  • brad1-8tsi on 28/12/2022 - 14:54

    You need to claim on the NRMA policy as when u applied for the policy you said there was no damage.

    Also, the damage was while insured with NRMA. To claim against BD would be fraud.

  • Sydneyswans on 28/12/2022 - 14:58

    https://ibb.co/XC0gGGX photo of damage

  • Jugganautx on 28/12/2022 - 15:07
    +1

    Police will never find the car without any evidence.

    • zonra on 28/12/2022 - 15:34
      +5

      They’re unlikely to even try with no evidence.

    • DASHCAM NOW DUDE on 28/12/2022 - 18:28

      Should have had a dashcams. My one is on whenever my car is not at home in the garage.

      • kerfuffle on 28/12/2022 - 18:30
        +1

        They got hit from the side though; would a dashcam have recorded the number plate?

      • Sydneyswans on 29/12/2022 - 12:39

        Serves me right for using a $10 reject shop one

    • JIMB0 on 29/12/2022 - 09:06

      They left a good impression and some paint to go off.

  • neo on 28/12/2022 - 15:43

    It's what we call 'shit out of luck'. This situation happens often, unfortunately.

  • Muzeeb on 28/12/2022 - 17:27
    +2

    I'd be looking for a 4WD that reversed out of the driveway opposite where your car was parked. It will possibly have white Yaris paint on it. Looks like there was some transfer.

    • Ramrunner on 29/12/2022 - 12:38
      +1

      Not a ute? That was my first thought when I saw the indentation.

  • Sydneyswans on 28/12/2022 - 18:02

    Next problem was I was hoping to sell or trade in the car but I guess it needs to be repaired beforehand?

    • Euphemistic on 28/12/2022 - 18:44

      Not always, it the value of your sale or trade is going to be cut down dramatically with that sort of damage. Better to get it repaired under insurance before selling.

    • md333 on 29/12/2022 - 12:33

      Could be a write off which would save you the trouble of selling.

  • Euphemistic on 28/12/2022 - 18:47
    +4

    Unless you cancelled NRMA and took up BD immediately you claim through NRMA. They cover you until the policy expires, you cancel the cover or the vehicle is written off.

    When you signed up with BD there will be a commencement date if the policy. If you did that immediately and didn’t cancel NRMA you are possibly covered by two policies. In that case still claim NRMA. Budget direct might cut you off after a claim, or at least jack up your premium.

    • Sydneyswans on 28/12/2022 - 21:35

      Nope I let my NRMA Policy run it's course to avoid the $40 cancellation fee

      • md333 on 29/12/2022 - 12:32
        +2

        Seriously $40 to cancel? Every time I've cancelled a policy I've got a refund for the unused portion.
        It's possible they deducted $40 or so from the remaining balance I guess.

  • Ghost47 on 28/12/2022 - 23:32

    Hmm so you think it was a neighbour? Have you tried looking at their cars for damage?

    (profanity) people who do this kind of (profanity).

    • Sydneyswans on 29/12/2022 - 12:40

      Yes I have to no avail as half the street is on holidays after boxing Day

  • 2esc on 29/12/2022 - 08:48

    NRMA no doubt about it. Ive seen cars written off for less. Dont check out just 4x4s in the area as its a odd impact shape could have even been the rear corner of a hatch or wagon. First step go through NRMA dont procrastinate.

  • Bob Svargis on 29/12/2022 - 08:50
    +1

    Why would you claim this through your insurance company who doesn't yet hold your policy?

    This one is simple. Put in a claim through NRMA and get it fixed. It'll cost more than your excess to fix that, based on the pic I saw.

  • The Hawk on 29/12/2022 - 09:45
    +1

    You have every right to claim through NRMA and have no requirement to sign back up for another year. Theoretically, it might get harder to deal with them after the policy lapses (also assuming nothing is getting fixed until after that date at this point in time) just because you wouldn't be an 'active customer' with them… but that doesn't make your claim any less valid. That $500 in savings will go a long way in covering the excess….and depending on your outlook, if it gets written off it could be a bonus.

    For me the grey area is if you notify the new insurer of the claim, you were honest when you signed up and the car will have no damage after it's repaired… But yes, technically you should be telling them.

  • Nucleus Acumbens on 29/12/2022 - 14:18
    +1

    As your NRMA insurance doesn't expire until January 13, 2023 and the accident happened around Christmas 2022, your insurance claim is with them.

    Your Budget policy does not start until January 13 (presuming the car is fixed by then, if not you have a legal duty to inform them of any damage) you're insurance issue for this situation has nothing to do with them.

    Phone NRMA, they are your current insurers, they will guide you through this process.

  • magpuy on 29/12/2022 - 18:43

    If you didn't actively cancel the NRMA policy, it is still active until midnight 13 Jan. The excess on the NRMA policy is also cheaper than the new policy. You will have to tell Budget about the damage to the car and that a previous insurer is repairing it. Not sure how BD will handle the pending repair. (Most insurers will only give you 3rd Party cover on an already damaged vehicle, which you can upgrade once it is repaired). No idea how NRMA handle "damaged while parked", but suspect you are going to have to foot the excess to get it repaired. Check your BD paperwork to see when that policy starts, but going on what I read, you most likely still have cover through NRMA. iI you already started the BD cover and didn't cancel the NRMA cover you are paying for 2 covers, but can only claim against one.

  • Muzeeb on 31/12/2022 - 13:21

    Any updates op? Or have all the public holidays delayed proceedings?

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