Car damage – at what point is it worth going through the insurance?

6 comments

1. I went to my insurance for a new front bumper (think the work cost around £800) but the other party was entirely at fault so I got my excess back and no impact on my no claims.

   For yours it depends I suppose on what your excess is and whether you want to sacrifice your no claims. If you can afford it I’d probably just pay it yourself.

2. That is a hard question to answer, because it depends on several things:

   It depends on what your excess is and how much you think your premium will go up. It also depends on if you can survive a few days without a car, and if the insurance provides for one whilst yours is in the shop.

   At £1,500 I would say it would probably be worth going for the less hassle approach of via the insurance company.

3. I’d definitely be claiming for that. Increase in premiums will be minimal.

4. Also depends if you’re planning to run the car into the ground or sell it on?

5. It’s a bit of a calculation – ignoring the technicality that you should inform the insurer regardless (Though I think you’d be mad to do so for a single vehicle incident):

   1. You’re on the hook for the excess here, regardless. This can be as a high as £500 so check first

   2. They could write off your car, making the entire excercise a complete pain

   3. You’re going to have declare it for years, and it’s a fault accident so your insurance will go up

   Really, the main thing is how much the car is worth. Less than £3k and you’re realistically looking at it being written off. And then it’s the grey area from that point onwards

6. You are obliged to tell your insurance whether you want to claim or not