Insurance Claims when Accident caused by Foreign Drivers
Discussion
I'm having a right strop with my Insurance company Direct Line after being hit mid bend by an out of control Skoda driven by a Polish Lady (resident here) on my side of the road in the new forest.I had to fight DI to get a Porsche Approved Bodyshop for my 911 (20 years old) but won that one and ended up with the good guys at SL Restoration at Gatwick. However I had to pay my voluntary excess of £550 on collecting my car and am also out of pocket with car hire expenses of £2000. Direct Line tell me it may take TWO YEARS to get my money back as although the driver admitted liability to me at the scene with an independent witness present (thanks mate) her insurers are not admitting liability back in Warsaw.I would appreciate any assistance on what my next move should be?
pagani1 said:
driven by a Polish Lady (resident here)......
.....her insurers are not admitting liability back in Warsaw
I would imagine because, if polish insurance is anything like UK insurance, she's voided her policy by being resident in another country. Most policies i've had give a 30-90 day foreign usage limit......her insurers are not admitting liability back in Warsaw
dave87 said:
herewego said:
Must have been off the road a long time to run up £2000 car hire.
Not really, Group A Corsa ran up that bill in 3 weeks.(that was through Helphire)
Edited by herewego on Friday 24th October 14:30
Soovy said:
dave87 said:
herewego said:
Must have been off the road a long time to run up £2000 car hire.
Not really, Group A Corsa ran up that bill in 3 weeks.(that was through Helphire)
You'll have to probably pay that yourself.
£2k for a Corsa
Maybe if helphire can't get it back from the Polish insurer they will reduce the charge to what it actually cost.
Edited by herewego on Friday 24th October 14:40
It's a fecking nightmare being hit by a foreign driver. It's worse when you're in their country.
I was hit by a Greek, in Greece, back in mid June. He was an off duty BiB so actually had insurance, which although mandatory, many don't bother. He admitted responsibility to everyone including the BiB that were called and they send report to his insurance.
My ins company paid out a decent value after a little bit of expected wrangling but obviously didn't pay my £250 excess or reinstate my temporarily lost no claim discount (20%) of £147. So 4 months later and the Greek insurance are dragging their heals and I'm £500 out of pocket. The international claims arm of my insurers are about as much use as a chimney on a dog and just seem to accept that foreign claims take longer. I put a rocket up them every couple of weeks but all they do is apologise and tell me they chase once a month.
I may see the £500 at some point but it'll probably pay for a zimmer frame.
I was hit by a Greek, in Greece, back in mid June. He was an off duty BiB so actually had insurance, which although mandatory, many don't bother. He admitted responsibility to everyone including the BiB that were called and they send report to his insurance.
My ins company paid out a decent value after a little bit of expected wrangling but obviously didn't pay my £250 excess or reinstate my temporarily lost no claim discount (20%) of £147. So 4 months later and the Greek insurance are dragging their heals and I'm £500 out of pocket. The international claims arm of my insurers are about as much use as a chimney on a dog and just seem to accept that foreign claims take longer. I put a rocket up them every couple of weeks but all they do is apologise and tell me they chase once a month.
I may see the £500 at some point but it'll probably pay for a zimmer frame.
gozomark said:
WildCat said:
sORRY .. YOU goosed here.
??pagani said:
I'm having a right strop with my Insurance company Direct Line after being hit mid bend by an out of control Skoda driven by a Polish Lady (resident here) on my side of the road in the new forest.I had to fight DI to get a Porsche Approved Bodyshop for my 911 (20 years old) but won that one and ended up with the good guys at SL Restoration at Gatwick. However I had to pay my voluntary excess of £550 on collecting my car and am also out of pocket with car hire expenses of £2000. Direct Line tell me it may take TWO YEARS to get my money back as although the driver admitted liability to me at the scene with an independent witness present (thanks mate) her insurers are not admitting liability back in Warsaw.I would appreciate any assistance on what my next move should be?
Because they normally take two years to sort out this mess in case of a dispute - at which point - they then consider court whereby it become a fight between the drivers telling their stories of what happen to the court . DL will have paid out to repair the car but be seeking to get their cash back from the other party's insurers .. who are not accepting liability - PRESUMABLY because of what the polish woman told them. If it not resolved - may hit NCB for you until it become settled in your favour.
It how they appear to work from what other folk tell me. 
You need to talk to DL again - find out where they are with their enquiry und get hold of her story to the Polish insurers from DL. Then you comment on her version - und make DL go back to her insurers to fight for the cash. I gather you were not covered for "courtesy car" or was this more because you did not "tug forelock in obedience" over to them und take it to one of the "shark repairers as approved by them"? 
You need to get back to DL - request politely but firmly for reason why the other insurers are not claiming liability for their insured. You pays DL to do this work enough cash after all. You need to establish if this action by the Polish insurers will affect your NCB/NCD as well - because if they are NOT admitting liability - it means DL has been unable to have claimed back the cost of fixing Porsche. You need then to get hold of the "why" und get the insurance company to start fighting your corner here. You have an independent witness. Check that he has given his statement to your insurer as well.
gozomark said:
WildCat said:
sORRY .. YOU goosed here.
sorry, what I meant was - what does "you goosed here" mean ?
I ask what it mean. It mean "up creek without paddle" or "stuffed".But I liked the phrase. I been trying to use it!
By the way .. I ask on the VED thread given the lady appear to be resident here? If she has to register the car here within 6 month - would this not apply to being insured here as well. I forget as it so long since I first come here to live.
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff