Letter from insurance company Re: accident (UK)?

Question

I received a letter from a well known insurance company yesterday asking for my insurance details as I had been involved in an accident that I have no knowledge of. Now this letter is addressed to me in my pre-married name (both of my cars have been re-registered in my married name since last August), but with the correct address. I find this strange straight away as if the insurance company had my registration number than surely the DVLA would have given them the name the car was registered in? The letter gives no information about the accident i.e. where it happened, what other car was involved, what the damage was or even which of my two cars was involved. It just states the date of the accident as over a month ago. Typically the letter came yesterday so I couldn't phone the company. I have been worrying all weekend. How can I prove it had nothing to do with me or do they need to prove it was? Do I have to give my details to them if I am sure it wasn't me?

Answer 1

Johnr is not entirely correct.

It's usually the victim's responsibility to prove you are innocent.

Personally I'd think my identity has been stolen!

I know in the US we have SSN's - do you have a similar identification # in the UK? If so I would worry it's been stolen - it's probable this person has your identity & has a car under your name & that person in "your name" has had the accident - while getting off scott free the real "you" is in trouble -- - -

Answer 2

I would either:

1. Contact the insurance company who sent you the letter, not the number on the letter, but get the number from their offical site.

2. Contact my insurance company.

Answer 3

No company will ever ask for your personal information. They will have it on file, and if necessary to verify they will send someone or require you to go to a representative face to face. Unsure of accident reporting in the UK, but in the US there is a DMV form we fill out to report the accident within a week. So If the UK has such a system, try to get more info on the accident yourself and then contact your agency with the policy number. I'm sure they will tell you that the letter is false.

Answer 4

This sounds like it could be a scam and someone who has a few of your personal details is fishing for more. Ring the company tomorrow and don't use the number on the headed paper as this itself could be fake.

Answer 5

I have met this kind of situation before,here is the place I found useful.http://carinsurance.expertsupport.info/a...

Answer 6

Does sound very like a scam. Ring the company the letter is supposed to come from, but on a phone number YOU obtain, not any on the letter.

Answer 7

My husband is English ,he says that you should not give them any details and that you should contact YOUR insurance company ,inform them of this False claim and tell them you know nothing about it and please solve this. Good Luck

Answer 8

Was the return address the real company`s address? Either way `sounds dodgy.

Answer 9

If you were not in an accident then they have no case , the onus is on them to prove that you were in the so called accident not the other way round , do not let them bully you state your case and stick to it . If they persist get a solicitor to sort them out . It may be a case of somebody using false number plates to hid the fact they have no insurance or tax there have been several cases lately , it mostly temporary working immigrants wishing to avoid the expenses of British laws. When an insurance company meets  false details from an expensive accident they have been know to bully an innocent driver to reclaim money , by saying that you are lying

Answer 10

If it was me, i would reply saying that to the best of my knowledge neither myself nor my car have been involved in an accident and as such I see no reason to provide them with my insurance details.

I would then ask for information on the 'alleged' accident.

Answer 11

It is very possible that they ran the incorrect plate number.  You obviously want to call them as soon as practical, and explain to them that you were not involved in the accident.  Ask them to provide you with as much info as possible, before you divulge your information.  Ask them for details of the accident, time, location and how it occurred.  How did their insured get your information.  You can also ask them to send out an appraiser to inspect your vehicle.  If your vehicle has no new damage, then it is quite clear that you were not involved in the accident.   They do need to prove you were involved in the accident.

You might want to run this by your insurance company as a records only claim just in case the other party continues to pursue you.   You can refer them over to your insurance company.