Car damage: claim on insurance or pay yourself?

Third-party, limited or fully comprehensive: what does your insurance cover?

Whether you can claim damage depends on your cover. Third-party insurance only covers damage you cause to others, not to your own car. Third-party plus (limited comprehensive) also covers things like glass damage, storm, fire and theft. Fully comprehensive cover also covers damage to your own car that you cause yourself, such as a parking dent or a collision that is your fault.

So it is important first to know what cover you have. For damage to your own car caused by yourself, you generally need comprehensive cover in order to claim.

• Third-party: only damage to others, not to your own car
• Third-party plus: also glass, storm, fire, theft and hail
• Fully comprehensive: also your own fault to your own car

Excess and no-claim years

Claiming is not always worthwhile. With comprehensive cover you usually pay your excess first before the insurer pays out. If the damage is barely higher than that excess, you are left with little in the end.

On top of that, a claim for your own fault costs you no-claim years. You drop back in your no-claim discount and end up paying a higher premium for years. That higher premium can add up considerably over several years, sometimes more than the repair itself.

When is paying yourself more cost-effective?

For smaller repairs, paying yourself is often the smartest choice. You then keep your no-claim years and your premium stays the same. Factor in the excess and the loss of no-claim discount, and paying yourself works out surprisingly often as the better option.

Good to know: damage you claim on third-party plus cover, such as glass damage, hail or theft, usually does not cost you any no-claim years. And if you have no-claim protection, you often keep your discount despite a claim. Not sure? We are happy to work it out with you.

• Small damage: paying yourself keeps your no-claim years
• Someone else at fault: handle it through their insurance
• Glass, hail or theft: claiming usually costs no no-claim discount
• No-claim protection: often keep your discount despite a claim

How we help with claim handling

Decide to claim? Then we are happy to help you with the claim handling with your insurer. We draw up a clear damage assessment and think along with you, so the whole process runs smoothly.

We work for private, lease and business customers in Hilversum and the Gooi region. Whether you pay yourself or go through your insurance, you get honest advice and expert repair from us. Send photos of the damage and we will help you further.