(UK-specific) Will my insurance premiums go up if I report an accident to my insurer, but don't claim?
I crashed my car into a telegraph pole this morning. (There was no damage to the pole.) I called the R.A.C. who asked me to ask my insurer where to tow the car to. So in the process of doing so I informed my insurer of the incident. However, my parents in whose name the insurance is do not wish to make a claim on the insurance but instead to scrap the car. Since I have told my insurer about the accident, even if I do not make a claim, can I expect to see my premiums go up?
In theory if you don't make a claim then no your insurance premiums shouldn't go up.
In reality though, as they have a record on their books that you crashed the car, even though you haven't made a claim, they may consider this to be a warning sign of what a driver you are like and may therefore consider you to be a larger "at risk" and increase your premiums when you need to renew your insurance.
What you need to do is read the question and answer accordingly, for example my present Insurer asked "have you had an accident within the last three years" then "within the last three years have you made a claim on your insurance" so my answers would have been "no" and "no" but my mate, who crashed their car but didn't claim, would have had to answer "yes" and "no".
My previous Insurer asked "have you had an accident, regardless of making a claim or not, within the last three years" to which you will have to answer yes. This question will most probably increase your premiums.
Good luck and hopefully they won't hold this against you.
KD
