Do you have to inform insurance company if not making a claim?

[youarenotkiddingme]

Ok, I should know this but in 21 years of having a license and driving I've never so much as scratched a car - even MH own on a post!

This morning parking in supermarket I misjudged the turn into the space and scraped a car. Slight paint damage in hers and small bit on mine.

Have her my name, phone number, insurance company and reg no. She wasn't sure either what she'd need so said to contact me if needed anything else.
I also suggested that as luckily it was superficial it may be quicker for them to get a quote and I'd pay garage direct if not way over my excess.

I am happy to do it however they want as obviously it's them I've inconvenienced. I have her reg no should incurable contact me. Also have photos of damage to her car, scratch to mine and of the 2 cars parked.

Other than the fact I'm bloody annoyed with myself (her car wasn't parked straight and I totally misjudged space I had against what space I should have had) and feeling a dick for being clueless about how to deal with it - os there anything else I should do?

Do I have to contact my insurance company even though they may or may not make a claim against it?

I think I need to learn to proof read properly

Yes you do. Read your policy document.

I can't get my policy document. I have the email confirming insurance and know I had policy sent to me. Trust me I've looked everywhere in emails for it! And I know I had it as printed it for work (certificate that is).

So as always when unsure I went to my go to place - MN!

I do know even if no claim made when I renew I have to declare it and watch my premium shoot through the roof

That's a bit of a cop out. If you don't have it call them and ask for a copy. The information in your policy document is important.

But yes, you do need to declare it. Lots of people don't, and find out way down the line that the other person has claimed against them.

I did when I ended up being the front car of a 5 car pile up. My car was barely scratched whilst everyone else’s was a write off but I still informed insurance even though I didn’t claim. Then I went and got front and rear dash cams

That's fine.

Honestly wasn't a cop out or I wouldn't have asked here.

I had policy emailed as it was a web based policy and have web number etc. Went into emails expecting to access documents and even on their website with password they gave but couldn't find it.

I'm obviously more than happy to ring and say they may make a claim if I need to - that's why you have insurance in the first place and will declare it when renewing even if they don't claim (as I'm not stupid enough to risk it).

It's just I wasn't sure if I had to declare to current insurance if I'm not or they don't claim off them as never had to do this before.

However - now I know I'll ring them straightway. Thanks for your help

Rang and reported! Have claim reference.

Told them I have no desire to make claim as so little damage to my own car (cheap 1" paint job) but if they make a claim I'll get mine done through insurance as I'll have to pay excess anyway!

Haven't heard from person I hit yet so I'll just wait for them to either go to insurance or contact me with quite to sort ourselves.

I feel such an idiot - not only for actually doing it but for having no idea what to do once I did

if they make a claim I'll get mine done through insurance as I'll have to pay excess anyway!

Another reason you should read your policy document.

If the other party claims against you there is no excess for you to pay. The excess is for claims you make against your own policy.

Really? I've never got that from any policy I've had and read. This is first time I've not had paper copy sent to me (and last!)

Oh well in that case let them go ahead and claim - much better than me paying the excess and I have to disclose it to insurance anyway!

Mine is an easy £15 paint kit job. Doubt there's is much more than that either tbh.

I honestly feel such a dick not knowing this stuff. i guess I've had an easy ride having never had to claim in the past or have anyone claim against me.

I mean I've not understood that how excess works if someone claims. I've just misunderstood my excess is my excess.

You might find their standard policy terms on the company website.

Really? I've never got that from any policy I've had and read.

Yes really. The excess is only if you claim on your policy. I don't quite know why you haven't got that from any policy you have read, it's literally what the excess is.

I'd obviously misunderstood it. Having never had to claim or have a claim against me I've probably not digested it as well as I should have.

Hopefully they'll just make a claim then and insurance will deal with it.

And when I renew next month (oh the cost as this is recent 🙈) I'll be making sure I get documents in paper form.

You live and learn.