If I have an accident in my car that costs less to repair than my

[Charli Girl x]

excess do I have to pay the full amount? I had an accident in my car and drove into the back of someone, my insurance excess is £900 but as the damage is minor and the cars are still drivable the repairs won't cost that much will I still have to pay the full excess amount?

[Han]

Wow £900 excess is a lot! You'd do better not to report it to the insurance company, and just pay for the repairs outright. That way you wouldn't lose any no claims bonus either.

[monkeyface]

YES. Do not involve your insurance company as you will lose your no claims bonus. Contact them only to request that the excess be reduced to a more manageable amount.

[private]

Logic dictates that you choose the cheapest option.
In this case if the cost of paying for the repair yourself is cheaper than the excess then obviously you just do not involve the insurance company at all.



Are you blonde?!

[roger.williams20@btintern]

Ordinarily you would not claim if the cost of repair is lower than the amount of your insurance excess but as you ran into the back of another car then there is a strong possibility that your insurers wil have to pay the cost of the repair to the other vehicle. Your excess will then come into play.

[Teresa H]

what do you drive a bentley?!
ive been in the motor industry a long time and have never seen an excess that high!!!
go to a garage get a quote on how much to fix and do it dont tell your insurance company! unless your made of money and happen to have £900 spare and want to be messed around by insurance companies left right and center!

[r doug w]

There is rarely 'minor' damage in any accident, there is hidden damage behind plastic bumpers etc., so unless you can convince other car owner that you will settle any bill, he will most probably go to his ins. co. for peace of mind..and yes if there is a claim you WILL be liable for all excess...

[♥~*Momma Bear*~♥]

Just pay out of pocket. You do NOT have a turn in a claim for every little ding and dent, that's just stupid.

[Jonathan S]

3 Things

1. You are obliged rto report any accident to your motor insurers even if it is just for notification purposes.  
2. If repairs are less than the excess then you will simply pay for the repairs yourself so the basic answer to your question is .No'
3. I suspect the person you drove into the back off will be making a claim (probably including injuries) so your insurers will have to pay for this unless you are very rich - there is no exess applicable to third party claims.

[JOSE Y]

making use of the SE such as google or yahoo to generate some ideas first if you would like to get the massive information,nonetheless if you would not  want to put so much time,here http://www.AutoInsuranceFree.info/free-auto-insurance.htm  is a direct and useful resource for your questions.

[big_dave_x]

just settle it privately if you think the cost is less then ur excess, dont tell your insurers! as a tip, try to lwer your excess, £900 is a bit execcesive, go for around £300

[wullie l]

If the total sum is less than your excess then why dont you just pay for it without involving the insurance company . The insurance company and yourself will then be satisfied.

[rach0212]

No they will not charge you an xs but you will have to pay for the damage yourself. This will still affect your no claims bonus if they have to pay out for the other drivers damage so if it works out cheaper you might be better telling them you will pay for that as well. This way they won't have to pay anything out so your bonus wont be affected. It will just go down as an information only claim.

[rookethorne]

The excess is not just for the damage incurred but all the legal side of the claim as well i.e there could have been injury for instance.

This is why you should have notified your insurance company as soon as possible and then obtained quotes for repair etc.

If the repairs were minor you could then settle them yourself without involving the insurance.

In your case if you read your policy it will probably say something like 'Claims are subject to an excess of......' which means any claim irrespective of amount of damage.