Bike accidents and insurance claims

[Spinney]

Just wondering if an accident on a bike that results in claiming against a car driver has to be declared as a 'claim' for motor insurance?

Friend is on my car insurance as named driver (he doesn't have his own car). He got knocked off his bike on Wednesday (he is OK, not sure about bike yet, so not sure if he will claim). Not his fault, police are talking about prosecuting the driver.

But if he does claim, does anyone know if I am supposed to declare this to my car insurance people? I can't see how it is relevant, but the ways of insurers are strange and devious...

 

[threebikesmcginty]

If I'm reading this right, you want your friend, who was knocked off his bike, to claim against the driver using your motor insurance as he's a named driver?

That won't be covered will it?

You need to have specific insurance such as the CTC membership insurance.

Probably...

 

[ttcycle]

+1 to 3BM you need a specific cycling third party insurance.

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

Your friend will be claiming from the other party's insurance, so no need to have any of his own (i.e. no need to mention that they are covered on your car insurance).

Hope they're okay!

 

[Spinney]

Sorry - did not express myself clearly. Any claim he makes will be against the drivers insurance, nothing to do with mine.

But most insurance policies have a clause about telling them of any relevant information, so I was wondering if him making a claim against a third party was 'relevant information' (I think it would be if he had been driving a car and been involved in an accident, no matter whose fault).

As it now seems it is only a mirror and light that is damaged, the question is probably now irrelevant anyway!

[simultaneous post with Siadwell below!]

 

[siadwell]

Edit: too slow with that post button!

I read it as friend has claimed against another driver for being knocked off his bike. Spinney now wants to know whether his friend making this claim needs to be declared against his (Spinney's) car insurance.

Good question, as they ask you to declare any "accidents" even if you haven't claimed. I think they intend you to declare even if you claim against the other party's insurance without going through your own. I would doubt your friend's claim would have an impact on your car insurance.

I can only suggest contacting the insurance company, Spinney. If you want to remain "anonymous", you could try contacting them via the sales number rather than customer services.

 

[automatic_jon]

I would say as it's car insurance I'd only declare accidents where I was driving a car.
I wouldn't declare the time I poured tea into my laptop and claimed on that insurance either.

 

[Crankarm]

I would say as it's car insurance I'd only declare accidents where I was driving a car.
I wouldn't declare the time I poured tea into my laptop and claimed on that insurance either.

.

IMHO it's irrelevant. You don't need to declare your cycling friend's collision and his subsequent claim against the other 3rd party driver who knocked him off as his claim is not in the context of his own car insurance as he does not have car to insure, but he is making a claim against the 3rd party who knocked him off.

Even if you did declare it to your own insurers, your friend would most likely found to be at not at fault anyway so why shoot yourself in the foot by giving your insurer any excuse to jack up your own premium? I wouldn't give them any ammunition so wouldn't even raise it with them as it is irrelevant.

You are a generous friend indeed to have some one with no car insurance history on your own policy.

Btw I knew exactly what the OP was on about. IMO he explained the situation and his anxieties plenty clear enough.

 

[Spinney]

OK - thanks all.

(You just never know with insurance companies!)

 

[Crankarm]

OK - thanks all.

(You just never know with insurance companies!)

Huh? ................ .

 

[ASC1951]

But if he does claim, does anyone know if I am supposed to declare this to my car insurance people? I can't see how it is relevant, but the ways of insurers are strange and devious...

No, you don't - but yes if he had been driving the car, even if he doesn't make a claim.

You are right to be cautious about insurers slightly Spanish Practices. For instance, you would certainly have to declare a motoring conviction for any named driver, even if the offence was committed in another vehicle.