Yep the 5 years hike in premiums is so unfair when you were sat in your house.
All they do is slot you in a certain category which basically means when your broker starts searching for insurers there are less policies available for you .
In regards to the other bits claiming fuel and time lost at work, i believe you can make a claim through the. were there is blame there is a claim. Route.
When i was 18 i reversed into a car backing away from a petrol pump after being blocked in. There was not one mark on the Cortina at all, my bumper had lifted a touch on the bracket.
I got a court summons 2 months later for damages totalling £3000 and a £4500 claim for shock and upset damage when her husband brought her car home in such a state.