19 replies to this topic

[MiniJosh92]

Quick question, does anyone know in the event of a knock for knock insurance claim who's insurance pays for which car - i.e. does my insurance pay for his car or mine & his insurance pays for his repairs or mine?

[Carlos W]

I think yours pays for your damage and theirs pays for their damage!

[samsfern]

Therefore both lose no-claims bonus.

Would that still work if both cars were thirdparty only?

[mini-luke]

Therefore both lose no-claims bonus.

Would that still work if both cars were thirdparty only?

I think both owners would be paying out of their own pocket. I'd be furious if that happened to me and it wasn't my fault.

[samsfern]

Josh, stand your ground and argue with them.

[ShoutforJoy]

It depends if it is definitely "knock for knock" and not a 50/50 settlement? 50/50 settlements are often misdescribed as knock for knock but are slightly different. You need to be sure.

Knock for knock is as described by Carlos above. Each insurer agrees not to pursue the other to reclaim costs. Both parties are likely to lose their no claims bonus even if they only have Third Party cover as they have submitted a claim and have been found at least partly at fault.

50/50 settlements are a little different: A 50/50 settlement means that each driver will recover 50% of his financial loss (& compensation if injured) and his insurers will pay 50% of the opponent’s losses. Typically this is used where one insurer incurs much heavier losses than the other. Actually any percentage split is possible (eg: 60/40 or 70/30) depending on how the insurers appoortion blame. Again it's bye bye ncb!

[ShoutforJoy]

Therefore both lose no-claims bonus.

Would that still work if both cars were thirdparty only?

I think both owners would be paying out of their own pocket. I'd be furious if that happened to me and it wasn't my fault.

Knock for Knock (and 50/50 settlement) means that the insurers feel that both drivers have been partly at fault, or that blame cannot be proved.

[MiniJosh92]

Well I don't get any no claims bonus to loose. I've repaired my clubby so wouldn't want anything from my insurance so would they still rape me when it comes to renewal?

[samsfern]

Probably if theres a claim gone through it and your at fault or partially at fault.

Edited by samsfern, 14 November 2011 - 10:13 PM.

[ShoutforJoy]

Well I don't get any no claims bonus to loose. I've repaired my clubby so wouldn't want anything from my insurance so would they still rape me when it comes to renewal?

Almost certainly. You will have to declare that you have made a claim and that you were deemed to be partly at fault. This will mean higher premiums.

Knock for Knock or 50/50 simply describes the terms that the insurers have agreed to settle the claim.

[ShoutforJoy]

As Samsfern says you can contest their decision if you are not happy with the outcome. Contest it in writing, calmly and carefully explaining your view and why you can't agree with what they say. You need to produce as much supporting documentation as possible, witness statements, photographs of the damage and/or the accident site, sketches etc.

Remember that if it's your word against his then it's going to be very difficult to resolve in your favour without a compelling case.

If you have legal cover you should be able to talk things through with a legal advisor.

[MiniJosh92]

Well I don't get any no claims bonus to loose. I've repaired my clubby so wouldn't want anything from my insurance so would they still rape me when it comes to renewal?

Almost certainly. You will have to declare that you have made a claim and that you were deemed to be partly at fault. This will mean higher premiums.

Knock for Knock or 50/50 simply describes the terms that the insurers have agreed to settle the claim.

but I don't want to claim anything.

[MiniJosh92]

I've got no chance of fighting it even though I was stationary when he hit me, I've got no witnesses, photo's etc. It's his word against mine on a wet country lane. I'd rather just not go through the insurance as I've sorted the clubby but the other bloke wants to go through insurance.

[M J W J]

but I don't want to claim anything.

Insurance companies are getting wise to people having accidents and not claiming. That is why they generally ask you if you have had an accident as well as have you made a claim. I keep getting asked 'really?' every time I ring up for insurance and I say that I have never had an accident. They don't believe that I have 4 years no claims and not had an accident just because I am a young male driver. Most insurance companies seem to assume that I have had an accident just not claimed for it which is not true.

Also yes your insurance company will try and screw you for every penny for being involved in an accident even if it wasn't your fault whether or not you have made a claim. I personally don't think this is right

[ShoutforJoy]

From your opening post I assumed that a claim had already been made with your insurers. Even if you haven't called them he may already have initiated the claim if you've passed him their details. If this has happened it's largely out of your hands.

If you haven't given him your insurers details then you do have another option: Tell him politely that you are holding him responsible for the accident and that you will not be claiming on your insurance. He is free to claim on his. When his insurance company write to you send them all the details you can and contest the claim yourself - you needn't involve your insurance company at all or you can involve them at a later point. You don't need witnesses if your case is compelling enough - I once had someone hit me in a country lane; with a few photographs and road measurements it was fairly clear that he was driving on the wrong side of the road and his insurance paid out after initially contesting my claim. It's all about how compelling your case is.

As above though you will have to tell your insurers that you've had an accident, even if you don't claim.