crime reference number would i need one??

Question

if u crash your car then leave it because you assume its a write off but it gets took then set alight by vandals and is now a complete write off could you still claim and would you need a crime reference number

Answer 1

Why would you ever crash your car then walk off and leave it without immediately informing your insurance company or the police?!!

I think your insurance company would question this very closely....although I'm no expert and I'm sure someone will be able to better advise you....

Answer 2

Hi.

I'm assuming your in the UK here - if not none of this may apply!

First off - you don't need a crime ref number following an accident unless it is a repotable accident (eg - there was an injury or you hit an animal). You will need to report the theft and vandalism to the Police however, and obtain a crime ref number for this.

Second - I am assuming you have Third Party Fire & Theft cover only. If this is correct, there is no point putting in a claim as the write off damage in the accident is not insured.

The fire damage IS covered by your policy, however Insurers are only obliged to pay the cost to replace the vehicle with another car of similar age, condition etc immediately prior to the theft and fire.

How much would a written off car be worth - scrap value maybe? - Most policies have an excess of £100 for fire and it is likely the value of your car immediately prior to the fire is below this.

Sorry, but it looks as if there is no point making a claim.

Answer 3

It is a criminal offence to set alight another person's car.
If your car was set alight before an insuranceman had a chance to assess the damage due to the accident, then you do need a crime reference number and you need to report it as a fire victim.

Answer 4

At what point did it become a write of though? The insurance co would probably say that it can confirm it as a write off at the point that it was burnt out...because that is how their inspector would have found it.

The question will then be, does your policy cover you for having abandoned your vehicle someplace?

3rd party fire & theft or fully comp should cover this, but i think you would have to get a crime number from the police for the burning out.

Answer 5

You abandoned a totalled car on the side of the street??

You're going to need a police report, however, the adjusters will look at the damage to the car, and if it was totalled in the accident, you'll pay the collision deductible, not the comp deductible.

You're not going to "double collect" the total value of your car twice, sorry.

Answer 6

When dealing with insurance companies and the police have been involved they will usually ask for a crime reference number.

If you have had an accident yo should claim, it is why we all have to pay these exorbitant premiums for our cars.

Answer 7

as long as you have reported the crash to the police and they have agreed for you to leave it where it is, the attending officer should be able to give you a crime number for the accident which you should be able to give to your insurance people for the fire damage.