Endsleigh does U-turn over roundabout crash claim

Insurer repudiates other driver's claim and restores no-claims discount

On a busy roundabout, a car failed to observe the right of way and clipped my rear hub cap. I was suspicious that the driver had purposefully gone into me because he had ample time and was driving slowly enough to stop. He demanded my insurance details but would not give his in return so I took a photo of his undamaged bumper. I shared my suspicions with the police but they could not establish blame because I couldn't produce an independent witness – the roundabout was near my passenger's home.

The driver's insurance company blamed me but I could not gain specific information about the damage being claimed for. I have not claimed for the slight scratch on my hub cap.

When my insurance through broker Endsleigh came up for renewal, the premium jumped from £327 to £570 and the insurer switched from Allianz to Zurich. If blame cannot be established, should I be penalised in this way? AK, Swindon, Wilts

You were about to earn a two-year discount worth 40%. Insurers always penalise the no-claims discount in these circumstances. Only when their policyholder is confirmed as blameless will they restore it.

The other driver claimed that you were totally at fault and, initially, Endsleigh believed that you had emerged on to a roundabout and collided with a car that was already there. You explained that you were on the second of two side-by-side roundabouts, ahead of the other driver, and you have found a witness. Endsleigh pointed out that the other side might produce its own witness but agreed to repudiate the other driver's claim.

Then it was a question of waiting to see how the other side responded. Endsleigh said that if it had heard nothing by the end of October, it would assume they accepted your innocence, close its file and grant your discount. But in mid-October, the other side confirmed it intended pursuing repair costs from you. Endsleigh told them again it had no intention of paying but had to wait until the end of November to see if they returned. They didn't, and Endsleigh assumes they have accepted your version of the accident. You now have your two-year no-claims discount.
