Admiral want to go to court and claim against 3rd party

[ldn_mx5]

I was in a small collission at 5mph, minor paintwork was required. No witnesses, no dashcam, police weren’t involved. We exchanged details and both drove off. Insurers got involved on both sides and we’ve been liaising through our case handlers ever since.

Neither party agrees they’re at fault. They refused our 50/50 offer and continue to claim 100% my fault.

Admiral now say they will take them to court, I will be the claimant. I can attend court or if I don’t judgement will be passed in my absence. If I attend, it’s (A) stressful (B) I lose a day’s work. If I don’t, chances are I’ll lose the case - I will have claimed against someone and had the claim dismissed, collission becomes 100% my fault.

I don’t fancy opening a claim against someone in my name. Can I tell Admiral they just need to continue liasing with the other party’s insurer to settle it out of court? Or do I have no choice?

[ldn_mx5]

My question is really - does insurer have the right to open the claim in my name i.e. I initiate, as claimant, a civil court case against the other driver - without me agreeing to it?