Post accident, insurance ?

[baptistsan]

Non fault accident on Friday. Car looks very sorry for itself. The other driver admitted full liability at the scene. Car couldn't be driven, so called my insurance, informed them and they arranged to have the car recovered and the repair wheels slowly begin to turn.

My sceptical side kicked in big time later on. But, fair play, get a call from their insurance company explaining that they had admitted liability and that they would now do everything they could to fix my car and provide me with a courtesy car etc.

This is all brilliant, but is it the norm these days? As it stands I'm letting my insurance company sort the repairs, but having been away for a few days haven't needed a car, so haven't taken up anyone's offer of an Enterprise special! The other insurer calls every other day to make sure everything is okay and to find out if I want a car. Very pleased everything is going so smoothly but have never experienced this before.

I'm guessing the other insurer is trying to minimise it's costs?

So is it; it's just what they do these days or, never heard of that before?

[Magic919]

Been like that for years.

[baptistsan]

Last time I had any dealings with an insurance company in a situation like this was in 2004. It was me then doing all the chasing, my own insurance company couldn't have been less helpful!

[Walford]

baptistsan said:

I'm guessing the other insurer is trying to minimise it's QUALITY costs?

FTFU

[poing]

Seems pretty similar to my experience. The other company did a great job, even saying sorry for the basic car they gave me initially and promising an upgrade to match my own car and that was without me prompting them or asking for an upgrade. I think the legal team took over everything and the only downside was the constant nagging to see how much we wanted to claim for injuries that we hadn't suffered from, I assume they get a cut or something.

I wasn't overly happy with the body shop, they did a great job on the car but were not the most friendly bunch in the world and I had to call the insurance company to find anything out, like arranging to hand back the hire car etc.

[aw51 121565]

baptistsan said:

I'm guessing the other insurer is trying to minimise it's costs?

A guarded ... Debatably it's trying to keep its costs realistic rather than your Insurance Company later claiming for "credit hire" costs (for example).

But we ALL benefit from this plan of action .

[saaby93]

baptistsan said:

Non fault accident on Friday. Car looks very sorry for itself. The other driver admitted full liability at the scene. Car couldn't be driven, so called my insurance, informed them and they arranged to have the car recovered and the repair wheels slowly begin to turn.

My sceptical side kicked in big time later on. But, fair play, get a call from their insurance company explaining that they had admitted liability and that they would now do everything they could to fix my car and provide me with a courtesy car etc.

This is all brilliant, but is it the norm these days? As it stands I'm letting my insurance company sort the repairs, but having been away for a few days haven't needed a car, so haven't taken up anyone's offer of an Enterprise special! The other insurer calls every other day to make sure everything is okay and to find out if I want a car. Very pleased everything is going so smoothly but have never experienced this before.

I'm guessing the other insurer is trying to minimise it's costs?

Do the math

Your insurer offers you a car, if youd accepted they add on their mark up admin fees and charge it to the 3rd party insurer.

See why it's cheaper for the TP insurer if you take it from them?

Same for the repairs
You let your insurer repair the car at (if you let them) their preferred repairer. Dont be surprised if it takes months ( well weeks) to find a slot when they can do the work. They'll use their preferred paint and their preferred panels. They'll mark up the cost add their admin fees and charge the TP insurer. If it's not quite right and you need the work redoing, have a think about who pays.

Compare that to your going to the TP insurer, let them pay to have the car repaired at your local dealer franchise paint shop using manufacturer paint, get it right first time as they want the job turned over quickly to your satisfaction to avoid argument.

See why you're getting phoned up

Edited by saaby93 on Thursday 28th May 01:04

[baptistsan]

Thanks for the replies folks.

So it is trying to reduce costs then. Agree that this benefits everyone, I've already told them that I'm not hurt/injured which they seemed surprised by.

Do we think that the repair really will be of a better standard if the third party insurer carries them out?

[baptistsan]

Bloody hell!!!

Just over £100 for a Nexen N8000 tyre. Surely bodyshops should be made to shop around for better prices? Just because it is an insurance job doesn't mean you should take the piss?! I'm amazed that they are allowed to get away with it.

Edited by baptistsan on Tuesday 12th April 23:38