Twin Fields

Did you get any independent witnesses?

The driver who hit you may tell his insurance company that he felt it was unnecessary for you to have stopped in the first instance and the fact that you did stop for any vehicle (in this case, an ambulance) coming in the other direction, was an over reaction to the situation.

I assume the ambulance driver didn't stop?

You may be held partially to blame. Insurance companies have been known to "do deals" on a knock for knock basis if the details of the accident are not very clearly understood by both companies.

This one could drag on a bit!

LuckyWelshchap

A nudge that would need rejigging - oh, and the car's a write-off.

When some prat drove into the back of my wife's car she needed physio etc. and some years later she's still afraid when she has to stop in unexpected circumstances eg giving way to traffic while on a main road.

Only the op can say but I'd guess that any 'non-standard' stop (or even any stop for that matter) will bring back memories and bring forth a bit of fear for the coming weeks or months.

You'll note as well that I'm not advocating a claim for anything that hasn't been suffered. I'm suggesting that something no-one's thought about could have happened, and draw their attention to the fact they could claim for that.
If it hasn't - and they haven't suffered - then I wouldn't expect them to claim.

LuckyWelshchap

I understand where you're coming from but a) he should be watching (and reacting to) the vehicle in front, not anything else; b) assuming that the op is a "reasonable person" (legalise) then it would be reasonable to expect someone to stop in order to facilitate the passage of an emergency vehicle using blues and twos; and c) it would be negligent not to presume that everyone on that stretch of road would be slowing down or stopping in order to facilitate etc. etc.

Your Ins Co is there for you. Your Ins Policy is a contract between you and them for them to protect you. If they roll over they have failed you, and broken their contract.

My daughter faced a similar situation.
A 5mph (at best) contact and a resulatant whiplash claim which her company were accepting.
They were informed that an offer to pay for the repairs had been made and if her NCD was affected because of her Ins Co's rolling over then action would be commenced.

Result - no NCD reduction/removal.
I don't know if they paid but no matter, my daughter's record was clear.

In fairness, you're right to play Devil's Advocate TF because this is the type of situation the op could find themselves in.

And now they are prepared for it

craigscoobymo

iTrader: (1)

Nick seems to me you don't like classic drivers! Maybe one has pd you off in the past! Lol ! I actually I run my own business, am a single Dad who isn't on benefits and not out to rip insurance companies off, even if they do it to ME!
My point is it wasn't just a 'Nudge' and there is the strongest of possibilities of it being written off! 3 children were in my car too!!!! Fact is the car behind should have been travelling at a safe distance and able to brake! If he wasn't, why, bad brakes, on his mobile, pissed from Xmas eve, the list goes on! The blues and twos were on the ambulance! I was in the right and my Insureres insist all is ok! But I know I won't get enough to replace my scooby, ill defo have enough to buy a 172 sport though!!!! ;-)

craigscoobymo

iTrader: (1)

Oh thanks for all replies!
Any accident is traumatic, especially for my sons in the car! It could have been very traumatic for the driver who hits too, but by nature I'm a very peaceful person while on my medication!!! ;-) lol

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Agreed and glad you are all ok. That's the main thing. I understand how you feel though about it being your pride and joy, so your best bet would be to buy it back and see of it can be re-jigged. If not then you will probably get a few hundred for the engine and gearbox alone, then at least £700-800 for everything else.

Don't claim for whiplash if you don't have it. I couldn't sleep at night if I defrauded an insurance company. If you do something like that, where does it stop? Some people just have no morals whatsoever and highlights what is wrong with our society.

danos14

iTrader: (8)

It's amazing, my accident happened when I got hit in the side by a van. I too had my two sons in the back. They were fine all be it a little shaken up at the time but reported no injuries or aches (we everyday checked them over while getting them dressed). The acm constantly contacted me to see how the boys were obviously desperate to get a claim in. It got to the point that I had to get quite aggressive on the phone to stop the calls. The boy's were techy for a few days but now laugh about it. I am glad they are ok so don't require a claim and put them through having to do the doctor stuff and relive the accident etc and make it into an issue.

To the op, get ready for a fight. Look at loads of other car adverts that are the same basic spec/mileage as yours and keep copies. That way when your offer comes through you can see if it is ok or too light and argue the point if it is too light.

maca1983

iTrader: (3)

Wish I was unemployed and getting loads of money (not 6 kids tho, 2 is enough!) instead I go to work and get payed loads of money

LuckyWelshchap

When my wife had her accident she was giving way to an HGV coming in the opposite direction and was about 80 yards clear of a bend in the road, 30mph limit.
A young lad ran into the back of her.
This was the timetable of events:

• 07:20 - accident
• 07:50 - I arrived to take her home
• 08:00 - her Ins broker contacted
• 08:50 - broker calls, other driver had admitted liability and wife should expect other calls;
• 09:30 - wife down the hospital, pains in neck and shoulder (it appears that she was looking in her rvm when hit, and hence her neck wasn't straight, which basically ricked it).
• 09:40 - call from Car Hire company, wife's courtesy car will be there within 4 hours. Advised that she can't drive and possibly won't be able to for at least a few days, so don't bother about the car.
  Informed that it's at no cost to her and she can always apply to Ins Co to have it for longer than the initial 7 days.
• 10:30 - call from wechaseeveryambulance.com saying that her case had been referred to them
• 12:30 (we're not even back from the hospital) - courtesy car delivered (and sits outside our front door for nearly a week).

OK, her injury was genuine (it was over 3 months before the shooting pains finally stopped, after quite a few physio sessions).

However, the whole compensation apparatus roared into action at the outset, and no-one asked if she wanted it.

The first offer of compo was rejected out of hand - by wcea.com, without really asking her, apart from 'an offer of £x has been made but that is far too low in our opinion so it's been rejected'. Of course, that rejection lead to more legal work and hence bigger legal fees.

She also had the hire car for a further 10 days, on the basis that the car hadn't been able to be inspected as soon as they (her ins co) hoped.

Obviously, the lad had coughed for it (we suspect that he was on a mobile or something, simply giving up without any sort of fight) and his ins co were lame ducks, easy prey.

The trouble is that even if something magical happened and 'over-zealous' claims became a thing of the past let's be blunt, that wouldn't result in reduced premiums.
The insurance industry is a cartel, same as energy and petrol companies.

Finally, good advice re. keeping copies of adverts etc.
A long time ago my ins co - a huge name in the market then - tried to screw me when my BM 528M was nicked.

I got offered £800 on a car worth £3K+, final offer of £1,500.
Until I complained to its customer service section and pointed out its Customer Charter.
They put it out to an independent valuer (gave me 3 alternatives, take my choice) - offer of £2,850 within a week.

So if they do get up to tricks have a look at their customer service protocol. It might help you.

PS - although difficult, don't let all this advice, and your initial feelings, get it into your head that you WILL have a scrap.
IF it happens then you're prepared. Sorry if this sounds a bit condescending, it isn't - but if you're in fight mode when you start opening letters there's a chance you'll over-react. They are going to make an offer on the low side but that doesn't mean they'll be taking the mickey. Respond with all the homework you've done and see what happens.
Norwich Union once offered me the low £2K on a Saab Turbo worth the high £2K. I pointed out a few things (electric everything) and they immediately offered another few hundred quid to their credit.

Trinity

iTrader: (28)

Its interesting thats its mainly the low posters that are for the screwing the insurance company and therefore costing honest drivers and enthusiasts more. PR**KS.

DemonDave

iTrader: (13)

No wonder this country is going downhill, what an attitude - ffs

where do you stop and take a moral lead --- hope your kids don't inherit your attitude, but afraid they will and compound the problem

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

This.

Jdm-brad

iTrader: (1)

Nothing to do with the fact I'm a low poster! You've clearly never been rear shunted and had the letter through the post from the insurance saying your going to get back half of what the vehicle's worth!
To be honest I'd rather it never happened than having to claim at all!
Especially when you can't work because of it doesn't exactly help the situation! As far as calling me a ***** because of my post how about stop being a keyboard warrior lol it's a forum everyone's going to have a different opionon on it!

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

As I said earlier people invent reasons to justify their actions.... this country is f**ked and this thread is a prime example of why!

Trinity

iTrader: (28)

'You should definetly claim for whiplash everybody does it these days so insurance premiums are high regardless'

No not everyone does it, there are genuine and good motorists still in this country.

If the OP's party was injured and couldnt work because of it, completely put in a claim. and yes I have had my own problems with third party insurers, but I refuse to be a Pr**k who cashes in on a lie

nick172sport

iTrader: (6)

get your facts right ive had a bug sti and a classic i dont own a clio anymore all 3 cars are chav end off *****

The Trooper 1815

iTrader: (31)

Yep and push every non claiming honest persons premiums up you f@#k wit!

LuckyWelshchap

Mmm.......

The point I was making was that the insurance industry itself perpetuates these claims.

My wife might not have suffered any injury. No-one knew that.
Yet before she was diagnosed as having sustained accident-related injuries the machine had burst into action.

I suggest that brokers (and possibly ins co's) should wait until a party claims to have been injured, not just go ahead and give them the means to claim.

Sadly it appears that the industry standard is to get commission from all possible sources, not simply on the insurance premium, but referral fees from car hire companies and ambulance chasers.

And to ensure that 'ordinary' brokers such as KM, AF, Sky etc etc don't get tarred with this brush my wife was insured via one of the well-known Internet brokers, who clearly seek profit from whatever - and every - source they can.

maca1983

iTrader: (3)

I can guarantee if this had happened to you and you were going to be out of pocket you would do the same!

DemonDave

iTrader: (13)

The point is not to be out of pocket in the first place - the insurance company has to prove that their valuation is correct - not from glasses guide etc. but from the real world - you can prove that you cannot replace the car with the value agreed then fight the case

Also most modded car owners are out of pocket as they do not insure to an agreed value, or take out a GAP insurance to cover such risks

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

How can you guarantee that? Stop judging people by your own lack of morals and honesty, we aren't all like you thank ****!

DemonDave

iTrader: (13)

+1

The Trooper 1815

iTrader: (31)

Actually it did and I was fully insured and I was not out of pocket.

I was hit by a drunk driver, who only lived 200 yards from the pub he had been drinking in. It was a nudge, it damaged the car but not me.

I had a huge quote from the assessor for the repair and complained that the cost was massively inflated. It was all done for a third of the price by the same garage and with a revised cost after I had got quotes from elsewhere.

Then I started getting calls about compensation, The fact was I was not even in the car when it was hit made it even worse. It was not the insurance companies fault but the "Advisory Team" who hyped it up.

The insurnace business is switching on to it and making false claims much more difficult. They even trawl car forums for stupid F&&k wits who claim to have done it.

If you have no moral fibre to do the right thing then your just a spineless fool.

Jazzy Jefferson

iTrader: (2)

It did happen to me. You are wrong.