pabs

Perhaps some of you could give me some advice, which would be greatly appreciated. My girlfriend had a crash 2 weeks ago (not in the scoob) where she had to do an emergency brake because of some idiot in front trying to do an illegal manouvre, and while she managed to stop in time the car behind did not - the car behind ploughed straight in to the back of her car and made her hit the car in front (both aribags went off so it was a significant shunt). The chap who hit her admitted full responsibility.

Several days later the insurance (No names at this stage) were sending out letters threatening her with having to pay excesses, having to pay for storage of the vehicle and just generally not being very helpful. After that they came back with an offer which is about 10% under the glasses guide value. Obviously we are going to contest the value but here are my questions:

1) The legal team provided under the cover (which incidentally represents the other person as well even though a diff insurance company) are advising that we will have to pay the excess and claim back later - but why should we when the other guy has admitted full responsibility?

2) Our insurance will only provide a hire car for 6 days after a payment for the value of the other car has been made - fine, but the legal team are saying I will have to accept an "Interim payment" ie their first (and low) offer (so I will lose hire car 6 days later) and then try and claim back/fight for the remainder at a later stage? Is there any truth in that, or can I jst keep contesting until I get the full amount I value the car at, and ask for it in one payment?

3) With regard to personal injury - she has been off work for 2 weeks now with bad whip lash and bruised face (from airbag) - what is the usual process for claiming compensation here as nothing has been mentioned by insurance?

I know I've waffled on but I know there are plenty of you guys who know the ropes and can help. Thanks for any advice

TonyFlow

Hmmm - normally when 100% liabilty has been conceded by the other party, excess does not have to be paid!

If you have to pay for a hire car, this cost can be gained back

The insurance company would normally ask you if you have any injuries, and then put you through to their solicitors! My wifey works for solicitors that specialise in RTA's, and can be put on insureres panels of solicitors, I could forward your number to them if you wish? - bit of a shameless plug, but they are pretty damn good!

G.Mac

iTrader: (2)

you do not have to accept the lower offer, they are talking bollocks, send this offer back and tell them its not good enough with proof of higher values, if you accept this lower offer, you have accepted it and it will be final, my m8 wrote off his scoob a short time back and he had to pay his excess till the paperwork had gon through, he got it back about 6 wks later

Graeme

B4 Boy (at work!)

Get a letter from a reputable car dealer (Is there such a thing!)

This happened to us a few years ago, after we turned down numerous offers we were advised to go to a main dealer explain the situation and ask him/her to write a letter saying that if that particular car was on his/her forecourt you could expect to pay "x" amount to buy the same vehicle. They're more than happy to do this as they know that you may be back with thousands to spend on a new car!

This actually resolved our claim within a week of sending the letter.

May help.

Matt

pabs

This the legal advice about having to accept an interim payment is not true?

They also said that you can only contest for a higer price if the price the insurance offered you was 15% or more below what you value it at - again is that true?

pabs

To clarify, what I was asking on the above was, do I have to accept the "Interim Payment" and have to give the hire car back 6 days later, or do I have the right to keep the hire car and not accept any payment unless it is the full amount the car is worth?

And can you only contest the value if it is 15% or more different from your value?

Gary C

Dont accept any payment you are not happy with !!

I had a problem with Churchills,

Had a letter from the assessor (independent of the insurer) reporting on the dammage (total loss) and giving a value much less that the cars worth. The letter wanted me to write back accepting the report (and therfore the value).

I refused and after a month of improving offers I finally got what I wanted.

Direct line on the otherhand were great (another total loss), paid correct price straightaway, sorted everything quickly even though it was Christmas/new year. Very happy with them.

PhilA

Never accept an interim payment, you want a full and verified offer for a decent amount. Also, insurance companies do not care if you bought your motor from a dealers or not, if they can get a private one off auto trader that is the price they will offer.

If the guy has officially owned up to the accident (via his insurance company) then no excess will have to be paid.

You need to fill a claim form in for personal injury against the other driver.

pabs

Thanks for your replies so far guys - seems a lot of these insurance companies are not as great as their TV adverts portray them to be.

What I don't understand is this; if the other party has admitted 100% responsibility surely our insurance should be fighting on our behalf to get as a high as value as possible from the other person's insurance. Or would they perhaps pay us one price (lower than glass's guide) and then charge the other insurance another!