Do/how to tell insurers about this?

tacticalx86 · 24 Dec 2023 at 21:15

In May 2023 my car hit a pothole causing an estimated £363 of damage. Now as per my other thread I'm going through the courts to attempt to recoup the money, having made a claim against the council.

My question is, with my car insurance renewal approaching in spring, what do i tell the insurers? there's no option to say you had a collision with a pothole, only about another vehicle, so perhaps assuming they wouldn't expect to tell you, especially in my case given i haven't actually even got the money yet. Btw there's nothing in my contract saying accidents have to be reported within 24 hours, only by the time of the next renewal, i believe the 24 hour requirement is if you hit a vehicle which is obviously an accident.

Is it worth even bothering to tell them? my only query is whether they can see if a claim is being made etc. i don't really see why i should be penalised financially for the council not taking proper care of the roads.

tacticalx86 · 24 Dec 2023 at 21:32

Semple said:
You've not made a claim against your insurance company, and the council have no reason to claim from you for any damages. It wasn't an "accident" so I see no reason to tell them.

thank you that's what i thought.

tacticalx86 · 24 Dec 2023 at 21:35

Maundie said:
Why would you need to tell your insurance company?!? Do you tell them when you kerb an alloy?

On MSE Forums people were trying to tell me how i'd need to tell the insurers as its classed as an "at fault accident" and the council could tell the insurers etc. I thought it was odd because if everyone reported they'd had an accident every time they'd hit a pothole people would be calling up their insurers every week.

tacticalx86 · 2 Jan 2024 at 08:49

D-Ranged said:
You all stay with the same insurer every year? It's always cheaper to move to someone else, as staying with your current insurer, they always up your premium each yeah, at least in my experience.

I have multiple cars and the only one that doesn't go up is my old Japanese car that has been with the same company for years, on a limited mileage policy.

In regards to OP question - I wouldn't tell them. If it came down to it and they found out, all they'd do is increase your current or renewal premium. Then you move to someone else.

Yeah, I usually move to somewhere else anyway. Was with the AA in 2022, when I went to renew in 2023 my quote had gone up from like £750 to £2,200! For no reason, I hadn't made a claim or anything!