A Question Regarding Insurance Companies

Scaffy · 23-04-2010, 10:40 PM

I have a little story for you all. When we bought our Mondeo a couple of years ago, our car tally was 3. My XR8 and the missus' Hyundai Accent being the other 2. The missus' sister needed a car so we let her use the Accent for a while. In the end, we transferred it into her name for rego and insurance purposes until she got something for herself. Just recently, she's got another car, so we've taken the Accent back and I'll probably use it to travel to and from work (huge savings bill). I think it was dropped off yesterday some time and is sitting in our driveway. Tonight, when getting the bins, Tash noticed hail damage all over the roof and bonnet under the light.

Here's the crap thing. Her sister cancelled the insurance last week. When Tash asked her if she noticed the damage, she said she saw a bit on the bonnet, but didn't think it was too bad. She's as blind as a bat. Apparently it's pretty severe. As it's a crappy Accent, it would've probably been written off. I can't believe the stupidity.

Now for my question. Because the car was covered during the storm and well after it, should we still be able to get it assessed? I think it's a long shot, but does anyone know?

Not too interested in hearing from anyone who thinks this, or thinks that, just looking to hear from someone who may have experience in the insuarance industry or has had a similar experience.

jpd80 · 23-04-2010, 10:53 PM

If the insurance policy is canceled, it's game over.
Even when your car is crashed or damaged beyond repair,
you have to maintain your insurance payments until the claim is resolved.

Yaw · 23-04-2010, 10:55 PM

I work in insurance.
If the car had comprehensive cover at the time of the event, the short answer is yes, it can be claimed. However, If at the time it was your sisters car and policy, she will need to lodge the claim and of course pay any excess that is applicable. You will also need the EXACT date it occurred and where it occurred. If it has been sometime since the hail occurred they will check these things. It is always looked upon as being suspicous as to why you waited so long to claim. (not saying they will deny it, just if you look from the insurers perspective, they have every right to investigate thoroughly before they authorise the claim)

Yaw · 23-04-2010, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd80

If the insurance policy is canceled, it's game over.
Even when your car is crashed or damaged beyond repair,
you have to maintain your insurance payments until the claim is resolved.

Just because the policy is cancelled now, does not mean it was covered at the time the event occurred.

Scaffy · 23-04-2010, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yaw

I work in insurance.
If the car had comprehensive cover at the time of the event, the short answer is yes, it can be claimed. However, If at the time it was your sisters car and policy, she will need to lodge the claim and of course pay any excess that is applicable. You will also need the EXACT date it occurred and where it occurred. If it has been sometime since the hail occurred they will check these things. It is always looked upon as being suspicous as to why you waited so long to claim. (not saying they will deny it, just if you look from the insurers perspective, they have every right to investigate thoroughly before they authorise the claim)

Thanks for your reply. I understand, and expect, that they would investigate thoroughly and I can understand their suspicion. The details of the incident are not an issue as it would have happened in the hail storm we suffered over here.

I can't believe she said nothing to us about it and returned the car in that condition without mentioning it. It's a white car that she didn't wash once in about 18 months, so it may not have been as noticable, but I'll see the extent of the damage tomorrow when I get back home.

At the end of the day, if this was an attempt at an insurance scam, I've sure gone the hard way about it! Haha

Gaz · 24-04-2010, 10:53 AM

I don't believe there will be a problem with the lodging date either - many insurance companies have said you have x months to lodge a claim because there are so many claims they can't get to them all.

wingTS · 24-04-2010, 03:52 PM

Only one way to find out, put in a claim....

Scaffy · 25-04-2010, 08:55 AM

I won't be able to put the claim in, because the policy was with the sister-in-law. On Tuesday she will be calling SGIO and explaining the situation to them and we'll go from there. I got home yesterday and the roof and bonnet are pretty well cactus.

How the hell you can go through yor day without noticing it is beyond me!