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Original poster

I crashed my son's car. Which insurance should I claim on?

68 replies

WheatShreds · 09/12/2022 19:52

We were both at fault in the crash so that will be for the insurance companies to fight over.
I am insured fully comp as a named driver on his policy and I have third party cover on my policy.
I gave my policy number at the scene.
My son's policy is new - he only just passed his test. His car would likely be a write off but it's drivable and we could probably fix it up.
I can't get my head round which policy we should claim on given that his insurance is already high whilst I have protected no claims. I also don't know if somehow the insurance companies will know anyway and it will effect both policies.

OP posts:
Bepeaceful · 09/12/2022 19:54

Surely you’d claim on his given that if yours you claim on it will be to the third party only that’s paid out to leaving your sons car bill to you to pay.

DinosaurOfFire · 09/12/2022 20:10

When my DH had an accident in my car, it was my car insurance that was affected as he was named on it as a second driver, I was named on his as a second driver too. It's affected my insurance premiums. If you aren't named on your sons insurance then I am not sure whose it would be- I would assume yours?

Original poster
WheatShreds · 09/12/2022 20:12

But won't that make his very expensive insurance even more expensive? If his car is written off will he then need to buy a new lot of very expensive insurance because that policy will finish or do the unused months get refunded?
I'm thinking repairs might be cheaper overall.

OP posts:
Testina · 09/12/2022 20:13

Are you sure you have Third Party included on your own policy? It used to be standard - but it’s not now. So firstly I’d check that. Hope that’s not patronising - I only found out a couple of years back that it wasn’t automatic these days.

If you do have it, read the details. It’s usually intended for occasional / emergency use. So an insurer would say that you have no business claiming that you had to drive his car under your own fully comp insurance as an emergency, because you had perfectly good fully comp cover on his policy as a named driver.

RiderOfTheBlue · 09/12/2022 20:16

If his car is written off will he then need to buy a new lot of very expensive insurance because that policy will finish or do the unused months get refunded?

The unused months won't be refunded. If there's a total loss claim on the policy you generally have to pay the full year's premium and the policy ends when they pay out.

Wonnle · 09/12/2022 20:27

Third party won't pay for any damage to the car you were driving will it .
You no claims discount may be protected but the insurance company may well just charge a higher amount

Testina · 09/12/2022 20:32

“I also don't know if somehow the insurance companies will know anyway and it will effect both policies.”

Insurance do share some data. But anyway, isn’t it a condition of his insurance that he needs to inform them even if not claiming?

I expect - though don’t know - the insurance companies have a clear rule of which is the over riding policy, to stop them wasting time and money arguing with each other about it. And I also expect - but don’t know - that the primary policy would be the one actually covering that car fully comp, not one linked to the driver third party.

Original poster
WheatShreds · 09/12/2022 20:34

Yes thanks - good call but have just checked and am covered third party.
My policy does however say we are a 2 car household when we are now three and it's the third car I crashed...

OP posts:
Yarnosaura · 09/12/2022 20:36

Your third crash? Should you even be driving?

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 09/12/2022 20:38

You claim on his. My DH wrote off my car and it was my policy that was effected

RiderOfTheBlue · 09/12/2022 20:38

I think she means it's the household's third car she crashed, not that she has crashed three cars.

FirstnameSuesecondnamePerb · 09/12/2022 20:39

Pretty sure your policy will only cover you if you are not a named driver on your sons policy.

UnderPowered · 09/12/2022 20:39

Yarnosaura · 09/12/2022 20:36

Your third crash? Should you even be driving?

The OP meant that they have three cars, not that she crashed three cars.

OP, I think you need to get a handle on this quickly - I think you could stand to lose a lot of money.

CheeseIsMyPatronus · 09/12/2022 20:42

RiderOfTheBlue · 09/12/2022 20:16

If his car is written off will he then need to buy a new lot of very expensive insurance because that policy will finish or do the unused months get refunded?

The unused months won't be refunded. If there's a total loss claim on the policy you generally have to pay the full year's premium and the policy ends when they pay out.

That certainly used to be the case, but when I had a total write off because of extensive damage during an attempted theft this autumn, the insurer contacted me to reinforce I could use the rest of the months of the policy on a new vehicle for a £15 administration fee.

lookersnoopy · 09/12/2022 20:43

You are a named driver, I don't think your DIC on your own policy is an option here.

SeemsSoUnfair · 09/12/2022 20:43

Even if you claim on your own insurance your son needs to inform his insurer a named driver on his policy in his car had an accident. It wont affect his no claims if he doesnt claim against his policy but his insurance will go up.

lookersnoopy · 09/12/2022 20:44

DOC Blush

Nopeforme · 09/12/2022 20:44

My dad crashed my first car when I was 19. I had years of increased premiums.

If you claim on his policy, please pay the increased premiums for the years it takes him to get back to a normal premium. If felt like the crash followed me around for years. I got no money from my dad, other than a begrudging offer to pay my excess when we claimed against his crash.

chercez · 09/12/2022 20:44

I'm pretty sure that you would be claiming from the policy that is for your sons car. It will definitely increase.

chercez · 09/12/2022 20:47

Nopeforme · 09/12/2022 20:44

My dad crashed my first car when I was 19. I had years of increased premiums.

If you claim on his policy, please pay the increased premiums for the years it takes him to get back to a normal premium. If felt like the crash followed me around for years. I got no money from my dad, other than a begrudging offer to pay my excess when we claimed against his crash.

Yes I think it stays on for five years.

bestbefore · 09/12/2022 20:47

I think it will be your sons policy too as the fact you have another policy is kind of irrelevant is it? The policy relates to the car primarily. And that's the thing which has crashed. Presumably you were on his policy as you drive it & that fact makes the policy cheaper than if it was just him on it. Painful though for a young driver.

Lalliella · 09/12/2022 20:49

You (well he actually) need to claim on his and you have to tell yours. If you don't they can legally refuse to pay out on any claim you have on yours in the future. Unfortunately both premiums will go up. Hope you're going to compensate your DS. He might find it difficult to get insurance now. Sorry.

bandage · 09/12/2022 20:49

Nopeforme · 09/12/2022 20:44

My dad crashed my first car when I was 19. I had years of increased premiums.

If you claim on his policy, please pay the increased premiums for the years it takes him to get back to a normal premium. If felt like the crash followed me around for years. I got no money from my dad, other than a begrudging offer to pay my excess when we claimed against his crash.

Agree with this

Original poster
WheatShreds · 09/12/2022 20:50

Yes - sorry - it's a third car not a third crash.
I am a named fully comp driver on his policy (it was cheaper that way) but my own insurance is cheap compared to his. If his car is written off, he will need to buy a new policy at well over a thousand pounds as well as a new car. I suspect repairs would be cheaper.

OP posts:
CheeseIsMyPatronus · 09/12/2022 20:50

Your insurance won't cover any damage to his car - third party only covers damage you do to someone else's car/wall/whatever.

You must claim on his insurance, and then cover all insurance premium increases he suffers for your poor driving. Fully Comprehensive cover means they will pay out either to repare or to replace.

Also, don't accept the first insurance offer. Look online for the cost of a car of the same age and mileage. If you supply them to the insurance company they will have to reasses their initial offer. As a general they low ball pretty much everyone. I got mine raised by 28% when challenging it.