HELP - car insurance - data check

[ashwork]

In November 2021 I was involved in a car accident. The third party accepted liability at the scene but is now disputing this. I have made a claim with the company I am with.

So far my insurance company have organised for my car to be viewed at a garage and a date for repair has been arranged.

I am in the process of renewing my car insurance atm. A family member was helping me following this recent claim.
They pointed out that I had stated on my policy for 2021 that I had had no accidents over the last five years, but that I DID have an accident in August 2016. (someone bashed into the back of my car that was parked in my driveway)
I explained that no, I didn’t have an accident in 2016, as my car was parked and I wasn’t in the car, I did however report that incident to my then-insurance company, they had said everything was fine because the other party was dealing with it all through their insurance company, which they did.

My family member said that I have totally misinterpreted the question and that this should have been declared over the last four years as it still counts as an accident, but I have never declared it to any insurance company that I have been with over that time as I didn't think I had to.
I came back home and researched online and am now terrified as it seems I should have been declaring this. I also found out that it is held on a database and my policy will be void should my insurer check!!!

I have never had to fill in forms like this before - my husband (deceased) handled these things - and I thought I had answered truthfully and correctly.

I am worried sick about what to do about this. Please advise.

I was caught out by this a few years ago. Same situation, was parked and someone reversed into me. They left their details and their insurance sorted it out. I didn't declare it as an accident and then got a letter saying my premium had gone up because I had incorrectly filled in the form.

It's rubbish, but I think it is in the small print and I think it's quite likely that your insurer will find out. Personally, I think I'd call them and pre-emptively ask for advice.

@babybrain77

I was caught out by this a few years ago. Same situation, was parked and someone reversed into me. They left their details and their insurance sorted it out. I didn't declare it as an accident and then got a letter saying my premium had gone up because I had incorrectly filled in the form.

It's rubbish, but I think it is in the small print and I think it's quite likely that your insurer will find out. Personally, I think I'd call them and pre-emptively ask for advice.

I'm worried about calling because I now have a claim put in and it will be voided if this old bump crops up, so I don't know whether to wait off and see if they find it, or just open the can of worms myself.

I don't know what to advise you now, BUT I do agree with you that it is time the Insurance industry started using English in the same way that it is generally used by the public and stop assuming that everyone knows what they mean.

A lot of people are confused by insurance companies meaning different things from what they are asking - as demonstrated by you saying you hadn't had an accident. Similarly with their use of the word "fault" when talking about accidents, to cover things such as "had to claim because the other person drove off / wasn't insured / left false details" which does NOT, in normal English mean you were at fault. It just means you had some bad luck of being hit by someone either dishonest or criminal.

@Kite22

I don't know what to advise you now, BUT I do agree with you that it is time the Insurance industry started using English in the same way that it is generally used by the public and stop assuming that everyone knows what they mean.

A lot of people are confused by insurance companies meaning different things from what they are asking - as demonstrated by you saying you hadn't had an accident. Similarly with their use of the word "fault" when talking about accidents, to cover things such as "had to claim because the other person drove off / wasn't insured / left false details" which does NOT, in normal English mean you were at fault. It just means you had some bad luck of being hit by someone either dishonest or criminal.

I agree entirely! When I read the "have you had an accident in the last 5 years?" question, I automatically thought of ME having an accident, not someone ELSE having one and bashing my car.

I know you said you don't know what to advise me, but if it were you, what would you do in this situation?

Some twat crashed into my car that was legally parked outside my house and wrote it off. As the insurers couldn't trace him, it was put down as a 'fault' accident on MY insurance and my premium doubled at the next renewal. I was absolutely fuming!

The usual question is something like have you had any accidents or claims. Most insurance companies these days include a note making it clear that you must list any incidents, accidents or claims regardless of fault or whether you claimed.

Whilst you have answered the question incorrectly, the Financial Ombudsman has been clear that it shouldn't automatically lead to the policy being voided. That should only happen if you didn't take reasonable care when answering, taking into account the wording of the question and your circumstances at the time, and a correct answer would have meant that they would not have insured you. If this went to the Financial Ombudsman and they concluded you took reasonable care, that would be the end of the matter. Even if they thought you didn't take reasonable care, an increased premium or a change to the terms would be more likely than the policy being voided.

@prh47bridge

The usual question is something like have you had any accidents or claims. Most insurance companies these days include a note making it clear that you must list any incidents, accidents or claims regardless of fault or whether you claimed.

Whilst you have answered the question incorrectly, the Financial Ombudsman has been clear that it shouldn't automatically lead to the policy being voided. That should only happen if you didn't take reasonable care when answering, taking into account the wording of the question and your circumstances at the time, and a correct answer would have meant that they would not have insured you. If this went to the Financial Ombudsman and they concluded you took reasonable care, that would be the end of the matter. Even if they thought you didn't take reasonable care, an increased premium or a change to the terms would be more likely than the policy being voided.

Yeah that's right, it was something like 'accidents, claims or losses in the last 5 years'. But I got the deal through a comparison website so its hard to find the exact wording.

That's really good to know about the financial ombudsman - thank you for that info. Everywhere I was reading it said about how the insurance company can drop you the minute they find out you've filled your application in incorrectly and that this will happen if you make a claim, its reassuring to hear someone say that they cannot void the policy unless the info I had missed out would have made me uninsurable.

I'm wondering whether the incident was even logged on CUE - or if they even check it for every single claim?
I've changed car insurer every year to get the best deals and its never cropped up all this time. Also, because my car has been booked in through my insurance company for repair. Would it not be most likely that a check would be done prior to that, or is that more likely to happen after the repairs are finished? Let me know your thoughts please.

Does your current insurer ask for information back 5 years or 3 years. Mine is 3. It might not be relevant.

If you're filling in paperwork for a new policy now you can confidently not admit the August 2016 incident, it's out of window now. Just list the Nov 2021 incident. I'd only address the possible inaccuracy if it pops up in the course of the 2021 claim.

I work for insurance.
You have to declare all accidents, your fault or not, in the car or not. They'll advise how many years back they need.

Your new insurance will do a check, it will either be void or they will give you an additional premium to pay (to cover the risk) and it'll put on your policy.
Some insurers don't do checks straight away until a claim has been reported and they'll look on CUE or MIAFTR.

I would ring them and advise.

@YellowLemonz

I work for insurance. You have to declare all accidents, your fault or not, in the car or not. They'll advise how many years back they need.

Your new insurance will do a check, it will either be void or they will give you an additional premium to pay (to cover the risk) and it'll put on your policy.
Some insurers don't do checks straight away until a claim has been reported and they'll look on CUE or MIAFTR.

I would ring them and advise.

Hi there,

Thanks for your response to my post.

My policy that is now due to renew has gone up considerably due to this recent accident as liability has not been established, and it is on the paperwork for 2022s policy. My repair has been authorised and booked in not long after the renewal is due.
Would any checks not have been done when I reported my claim in November?

@nomoneytree

Does your current insurer ask for information back 5 years or 3 years. Mine is 3. It might not be relevant.

Mine asks for 5