Motor Can I switch after a claim?

[Mongola]

I have been with the same insurer for years. Last year, I was involved in a car accident, it was my fault. The claim is actually still not resolved. My car was immediately fixed after the crash, took 5 weeks and damages on my car were worth over 6000 euro but the insurance decided to repair it! The driver of the other car still has an outstanding claim I believe for personal injuries.
Nobody was hurt in the accident, just bruises and he may have needed a bit of physio but nothing serious.
The question here is can I change insurer let's say next year or is there a certain amount of time I ''have to do'' with my insurer before I can approach any other company?

To be honest, I am happy with my insurer, the way the dealt with my claim and the way they are still dealing with the other party, also price wise, I can not complain too much. My insurance went up this year (was due in March 10 so renewed with them) from 750 last year to 1000 euro but I do believe that a)the claim I have influenced it & b) preniums have gone up for everyone this year.

 

[tenchi-fan]

Of course you can switch .. your insurance company would be only too happy to get you off their books.

 

[irishlinks]

You can try to switch - but you might find it hard to get other companies to even quote you because of the recent big(ish) claim.

 

[mathepac]

They certainly will not (cannot ?) quote while the 3rd party's PI claim remains unresolved.

With regard to "doing time" with the current crowd, insurers / brokers normally ask you to report claims / accidents in the last 3 to 5 years; if you have had a claim in that time-frame it is unlikely you will get a competitive quote (they cannot legally refuse a quotation AFAIK).

 

[Mongola]

They certainly will not (cannot ?) quote while the 3rd party's PI claim remains unresolved.

Yes, I am aware of that, until a claim is settled I know I can not switch. This is normal, however I was wondering after the claim is settled, so in my case next year...
I would imagine as Irishlinks mentioned that it could be hard to find a insurer that will give take me on or give me a competitive quote but I will certainly give it a try. For some reasons I thought I could not switch insurer for 3 years after a major claim: I do not know where I got that from! Thanks for your replies.