I reversed into my partners stationary car causing damage to his drivers side door?

[darik]

We have the same insurance company but separate policies. They are refusing the claim against me because it is being made by my partner. Surely this cannot be correct. I would understand if we had a joint policy but we have individual policies. They say the law forbids them to pay out on family members or partners. I think this is an excuse. Please help.

[pascoe69]

Seek advice from the Financial Ombudsman, who deal with Insurance companies.

[raleah]

hi winifred so have you admitted on a form that it was your fault because that might be the issue.
as it is both parties advising them of an accident but they might see this as a fraud case sop will not pay up. so get a separate insurance company in the future then.this you both might have to pay for out of pocket.

[caffar]

no thats pretty common practice I guess you need to make a complaint go right ahead call the ring leader of your nisurance company and tell them what the bleep is up ? and try to get a real answer from somebody you will find this to be more common thatn not. Other people have complained about this before you and gotten the same treatment . good luck bad idea.

[stein74]

no thats pretty common practice I guess you need to make a complaint go right ahead call the ring leader of your nisurance company and tell them what the bleep is up ? and try to get a real answer from somebody you will find this to be more common thatn not. Other people have complained about this before you and gotten the same treatment . good luck bad idea.

That's normal practise in insurance , they won't pay out for partners/spouses. It's to prevent fraud.
Personally if it was only a dented door, I wouldn't have involved the insurers. It'll probably cost more in increased premiums and loss of NCB than you could get it fixed for.

[taillefer]

If you read your policy terms you will find under Liability Coverage - Exclusions the statement relating to no coverage for damage to vehicles opened by the insured. Check to see how that is worded. The last time I read that exclusion it did not include mention of domestic partners.

It is not the law that forbids coverage but the specific terms of the policy form being used.

Now let's be technical. You refer to the other owner as a partner. Is the term partner defined in the policy. Is the partner a legal "domestic partner"? If not and the term is not covered under the definitions section of the policy there may be no basis for denial. On this question you must read the fine print of the policy.

You mention there are two separate policies. If the two parties are in fact legal domestic partners then one can be considered the spouse of the other and the two should be eligible for a single multi-car family policy where the 25% multi-car discount on each coverage can be enjoyed.