Hi guys, I need a little advice.
Last week, I was driving to work in the snow, and the council who were responsible for that part of the road network (who shall remain nameless here) had not gritted the road, and with the volume of traffic, the snow that had been lying on the road had been compacted into sheet ice. Having only just managed, despite a low gear and low speed, to stop myself from hitting the car in front of me, such was the lack of traction, I was then hit from behind with sufficient force to put a dent in my rear bumper about six inches across. This is where it gets thorny.
I have *no idea* who hit me. None whatsoever. No-one owned up to having hit me, and it could have been a drive-off or it could just as easily have been one of the others who I was speaking to after I had got out to inspect the damage, and they didn't own up to it. I have already reported the incident to my insurers, originally with no intent to pursue anything until I knew how bad the damage was - if it had cost less to repair than my excess, I would've had it done without going through the rigmarole of the claims process. Unfortunately, it hasn't been that easy - after a mechanic I know (and trust - he has done all the servicing and MOT work for my whole family for several years now) took a look, he estimated that the costs would be close to £800 for a full repair (new rear bumper, body panel and strengthening bar), so I am resigned to taking the hit to my NCB and paying that excess.
That said, is there any feasible way of reclaiming that excess or reinstating the full NCB, so that the last four years of driving without an accident of note (I was hit on the front passenger side last summer while parked, but the other party in that came forward immediately and it was handled as a non-fault claim) aren't wasted?
Last week, I was driving to work in the snow, and the council who were responsible for that part of the road network (who shall remain nameless here) had not gritted the road, and with the volume of traffic, the snow that had been lying on the road had been compacted into sheet ice. Having only just managed, despite a low gear and low speed, to stop myself from hitting the car in front of me, such was the lack of traction, I was then hit from behind with sufficient force to put a dent in my rear bumper about six inches across. This is where it gets thorny.
I have *no idea* who hit me. None whatsoever. No-one owned up to having hit me, and it could have been a drive-off or it could just as easily have been one of the others who I was speaking to after I had got out to inspect the damage, and they didn't own up to it. I have already reported the incident to my insurers, originally with no intent to pursue anything until I knew how bad the damage was - if it had cost less to repair than my excess, I would've had it done without going through the rigmarole of the claims process. Unfortunately, it hasn't been that easy - after a mechanic I know (and trust - he has done all the servicing and MOT work for my whole family for several years now) took a look, he estimated that the costs would be close to £800 for a full repair (new rear bumper, body panel and strengthening bar), so I am resigned to taking the hit to my NCB and paying that excess.
That said, is there any feasible way of reclaiming that excess or reinstating the full NCB, so that the last four years of driving without an accident of note (I was hit on the front passenger side last summer while parked, but the other party in that came forward immediately and it was handled as a non-fault claim) aren't wasted?
