I'm in a catch 22

I have a MK1  GTi cabriolet 1989. My wife hit a deer and damaged the grille and karmann bumper but not enough for it to fail the MOT or be dangerous. I rang my insurance company to discuss options, they advised me to get an estimate from an approved repairer which I did. I also want to get a estimate from an independent, but he can't find a double spot grille.

Problem is, my insurance is due to renew on Sunday and the renewal has gone up by £250 even though I haven't actually claimed yet. I rang another insurer to see what their view was, and it was about the same increase. I can't win, my policy is going to increase by £250 quid even though I haven't claimed, plus I'll have to pay for the damage out of my pocket, but if I do claim I have to pay £350 excess and my policy will increase.

Oh no that's really wrong. I guess there may not be too much you can do but when you haven't claimed they shouldn't be allowed to put your premium up.

Ref the grill, give Mark a shout at Classic-VW funk-star he can probably help.

Thanks, you're the second person to refer me to Mark. And he has sorted me out thanks.

The insurance situation sucks, I've got protected no claims too

Glad you're sorted on the grill.

I guess all you can do is stay on their backs complaining in the hope that they give in?

If you don't put a claim through then your insurance should not go up, as no claim was made, and if they ask you about accidents you don't need to declare that as she hit a deer and no other party involved, you should be able to fix for less than your excess, so I would just fix yourself and avoid putting it through insurance  

I would not have told the insurance company anything unless I was going to make a claim. Can you not get a quote from another company without mentioning the damage as you will repair it yourself.
Andy

Problem is they already know about it, and state that their Ts and Cs include reporting any incident. If I don't claim, my policy will still increase, presumably because they think we're more likely to hit deer having already done it once

Oh i did not know that, sounds a little bit of we are going to rob you blind and then we will stick the boot in just to finish the job off. I feel for you.
Andy

Well that just sucks, do they say in their T&C that you need to touch your toes too whilst they screw you??  

I'd tell them to shove it where the sun don't shine without the assistance of any lubricant the bar stewards! 

I'd shop around for another company and tell them to really poke it! 

Sent from my mobile phone. 

Have a quick word with the insurance ombudsman to see what they say.
Worth the phone call at least.

I can confirm an accident, however minor and no claim being made will result in a premium increase if the insurance company find out,  not me, someone I know ( daughter)

abfmk1 said

I can confirm an accident, however minor and no claim being made will result in a premium increase if the insurance company find out,  not me, someone I know ( daughter)

Well that sucks. 
It's a bit like telling your Life Insurance broker that you sprained your ankle on an icey footpath walking back from Church pray Sunday morning because a squirrel run out in front of you. 

Then they load your policy because of it! 

What next! 
Sent from my mobile phone. 

Fix the car yourself, move onto another insurance company come renewal time, and IMO you do not need to declare you wife hit a deer to the new insurance company as you fixed it and did not put a claim through an insurance company.

If someone hit their car against garage wall or gate post coming out of drive , or hit some debris in the road and had to fix there car would the declare it?

I hit a chunk of wood in road in my old 520D m sport, ripped the cover underneath the car, bought a new one and fitted it, I would never expect I had to tell and insurance company about it …

Admiral had the bloody nerve to ring me and thank me for renewing and then tried to sell me upgraded  personal injury insurance for £5/mth. I told them I am disgusted with them and that for the extra £250/yr that they're robbing from me I should get the upgrade free. I also told them I'm reporting them to the ombudsman. He said "I'll flag you as no sales calls"

Insurance companies = legalised robbery