Car Insurance Claims in the UK

An Introduction to Car Insurance claims and the claiming process

Establishing whether cover is in force for a claim made under a car insurance policy - drivers
It is necessary to ensure that the vehicle involved is one covered by the policy, but the policyholder need not be the owner (although the question of ownership can be vitally significant). The vehicle may have been lent or hired to him and insured in his name, or it may be a vehicle which he has borrowed and which is covered under the ‘driving other cars’ clause should it be in force on his policy.

In the latter event it should be ascertained at once that the policyholder was, in fact, driving (because the ‘driving other cars’ extension is personal to the policyholder). The policyholder should be reminded that the ‘driving other cars’ extension does not cover damage to the borrowed vehicle and the owner of the car should be requested to give the name of his own insurers since it is the latter who will now deal with any third party claims that may arise. The driver’s insurers would still, in theory, have to meet any third party claim under their ‘driving other cars’ extension if, say, the owner of the vehicle held a policy which permitted driving by himself alone.

A further, although comparatively minor, point arises with regard to the question of the ownership of the vehicle. When completing the original proposal form the insured will have been asked to state whether his vehicle was the subject of a hire-purchase agreement. An affirmative answer may have been given on the proposal form, but when the accident occurs the hire-purchase payments may have been completed.
If there is any difference between the answers given in this respect on the proposal and accident report forms, the insurers would do well to investigate the position and ensure that there is no longer any hire-purchase interests, since the decision in the case of Twitchings v Moorgate Mercantile Company Ltd. (1971) could affect the insurer’s position.

See also: Claim Form

If you are looking for information on how to claim or what to do in the event of an accident please visit your particular insurers website by following any of the links on this site.

Car Insurance Claims Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I have an accident
Where can I find an Accident Claims Solicitor
What is the role of the Motor Insurers Bureau
What are Car Insurance Claims?
How is the Claim Process controlled?
Fire Theft & Acident claims explained
What is on a Claim Form?
How do I know I'm if I'm covered
Why would a car insurance company deny liability?
What is an Insurable Interest
How do I go about getting the damage repaired?
What are approved repairers?
Who pays for towing charges?
What happens if my car is a write off?
Who decides my cars market value?
What was the World's worst car insurance claim?

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