Can I still make a claim on my car insurance 6 months after the accident?

Question

Hi, I ran my car into a pillar in a car park just before Christmas and badly damaged the side of it. I have been trying to save up the money to get this fixed but now I realise I just can't afford it and I'm considering making a claim on my insurance as it won't cost me as much. Will they still allow me to make a claim this long after the accident though? Thanks for any advice!

Answer 1

The one to ask is the insurance company itself. If they say it's too late it's not like you're out anything, and as they won't be paying anything either your insurance won't go up.

So call them up and find out.

Answer 2

1. Be warned that hiding the facts and dates of accidents will be regarded as attempts at fraudulent acts.
2. As long as there is validity of your car insurance and apprapriateness of that insurance you can talk to them. But think of these points first:
3. Having Third Party F&T will be insufficient and also it will not pay you claims as it is your fault to have damaged the pillar which is important.
4. Your insurer may still refuse to pay you because it has no way of recovering this cost. If your accident was with another car or an insured property, your insurer may consider your claim.
5. 3-6 months is pretty much late to make a claim.
6. Talk to your agent first, in any case.

Raj
http://www.carbargain.biz/Insurance/insurancetypes.html

Answer 3

Check your policy documents for any statutes of limitation. Most importantly, however, DO NOT claim that the accident is recent. When the Auto Damage adjuster looks at your car to do the estimate, they will be able to look at the damage and will know whether it was recent or not (they are trained very closely on looking for clues such as rust, oxidation on the scratches, etc..). I had a number of claims where we busted people on this, and you could easily be charged with insurance fraud and end up in jail.

Your company may or may not cover it; call them up, and for God's sake, be honest. Next time, report the incident in a timely manner. If you can't afford the deductible next time this sort of thing happens, your insurance will cut you a check for the total damages minus the deductible, and you can take the car in for repairs when you have your deductible amount saved up.

Answer 4

it depends on the insurance you have purchased. most of the insurance companies have a time period by which you should make the claim. there are companies that allow you to make the claim at a later stage if you have notified them at the time of the incident.

"collision" protection is expensive, and some policies like mine want me to pay the first $500 bucks of the total repair costs from my pocket. and the rates go up by about $100 bucks for the next term if the insurance company does have to pay something towards the claim.

in my opinion, its a good idea to make a claim for bigger damages, as you would pay much less if at all the rates go up for the next insurance term than that you would spend for the repairs.

if you are friendly to the insurance guys over the phone, they normally advice you on what is best to do.

good luck

Answer 5

Simple answer is ask them. They are the only people who can really answer your question.

According to the terms and conditions (if anyone actually bothers to read them) you are required to inform the insurance company ASAP even if you do not intend to make a claim.

This then covers you should for example the third party having said they will pay defaults. The insurance company would then take the matter up.

Answer 6

Pass the letter to your solicitor for him to deal with, and don't worry, you have more important things to deal with at the moment. Eventually everything will get back to the lorry driver's insurers, but as already written the insurance companies like to minimise paperwork and swap things between themselves. As you don't have comprehensive insurance you solicitor will know how to bump the claim back up the line where it should be anyway.

Answer 7

Just don't tell them it was six months ago, you pay for it ..make the most of it. But then agian you shouldn't lie ... I was actually in a similiar situation. But reported a claim three months later ( i know its not as bad as 6 motnhs), however, they'll try there best to do something depending on your insurance company..

All in all, give a whoot and call them and explain your situation.

Answer 8

I suggest that you visit this internet site where you can get rates from different companies: http://QUOTESDEAL.NET/index.html?src=5YAttzxiSQ321

RE :Can I still make a claim on my car insurance 6 months after the accident?
Hi, I ran my car into a pillar in a car park just before Christmas and badly damaged the side of it. I have been trying to save up the money to get this fixed but now I realise I just can't afford it and I'm considering making a claim on my insurance as it won't cost me as much. Will they still allow me to make a claim this long after the accident though? Thanks for any advice!
Follow 18 answers

Answer 9

1

Answer 10

You have up to one year to do so