I've had a crash, what happens now so I don't get screwed?
Discussion
Hi,
I'm just looking for some advice really please. Driving for 12 years now, clean licence, never had points, never been in a crash etc. Unfortunately I was involved in an accident the other day, traffic slowed up in a 30mph limit fairly quickly which was no biggie, I stopped, lots of room, sadly the driver of a large Mercedes ML behind me didn't, and went straight into the back of my car. Due to the age of the car, and the fact that the boot is caved in, boot is out of alignment, towbar is now relocated inside the spare wheel well etc, I'll be staggered if my car isn't written off.
No other cars involved, the driver of the ML is cool, has given me his insurance details and thus far is admitting liability, I can't see how he couldn't in fairness as he's gone straight into the back of me.
My question is, what do I do? I rang my insurer (EUI) who were keen to have my car collected within 72 hours, and then settle with me for the value of my car less my excess, until they have settled with the other parties insurance. This means I'm down my excess until this point, and also my NCB which will also be suspended until it's all resolved, and of course they couldn't give a timeline.
I got out of them that if I contact the other parties insurance directly and can resolve it, then the other parties insurance will deal with the claim and pay out, meaning I don't have to claim on my insurance at all. This seems like a far better option to me.
Basically, how can I sort the whole thing out as fast as possible with as little hassle as possible? I just want my car either repaired or paid out for, and to get on. I'm personally fine, and I have no interest in pursuing a personal injury claim for any mythical whiplash or anything like that, I just don't want to end up getting stuffed by my own insurer, which it sounds like I will if I let them handle the claim?
Thanks in advance.
Matt
I'm just looking for some advice really please. Driving for 12 years now, clean licence, never had points, never been in a crash etc. Unfortunately I was involved in an accident the other day, traffic slowed up in a 30mph limit fairly quickly which was no biggie, I stopped, lots of room, sadly the driver of a large Mercedes ML behind me didn't, and went straight into the back of my car. Due to the age of the car, and the fact that the boot is caved in, boot is out of alignment, towbar is now relocated inside the spare wheel well etc, I'll be staggered if my car isn't written off.
No other cars involved, the driver of the ML is cool, has given me his insurance details and thus far is admitting liability, I can't see how he couldn't in fairness as he's gone straight into the back of me.
My question is, what do I do? I rang my insurer (EUI) who were keen to have my car collected within 72 hours, and then settle with me for the value of my car less my excess, until they have settled with the other parties insurance. This means I'm down my excess until this point, and also my NCB which will also be suspended until it's all resolved, and of course they couldn't give a timeline.
I got out of them that if I contact the other parties insurance directly and can resolve it, then the other parties insurance will deal with the claim and pay out, meaning I don't have to claim on my insurance at all. This seems like a far better option to me.
Basically, how can I sort the whole thing out as fast as possible with as little hassle as possible? I just want my car either repaired or paid out for, and to get on. I'm personally fine, and I have no interest in pursuing a personal injury claim for any mythical whiplash or anything like that, I just don't want to end up getting stuffed by my own insurer, which it sounds like I will if I let them handle the claim?
Thanks in advance.
Matt
A few options as I understand it. Leave it with your insurers and it'll take a little while for them to sort out your excess and NCB. Go with the other insurer and you might get it done a bit quicker if they don't decide to play silly buggers. The third option is to go with a claims management company.
The only word of advice is that if anyone offers you a car to drive around in while this is all sorted out, read the small print very carefully. A lot of times this will be a credit hire agreement, and you will be on the hook for the cost of the car if it all goes wrong.
The only word of advice is that if anyone offers you a car to drive around in while this is all sorted out, read the small print very carefully. A lot of times this will be a credit hire agreement, and you will be on the hook for the cost of the car if it all goes wrong.
Davie_GLA said:
Out if curiosity, why?
Heavily inflated costs, Middle man, introduces various risks with the offer of extra services to "help you - hire cars etc. Not worth it, I'd second avoiding them! I'd just contact his insurance, and process it with them. Sure they'll be quick enough at sorting it,. ha
I'd contact the Third Party insurer directly. They will have a specialist third party capture team to handle your claim if liability is not disputed. It is in their interests to deal with your claim as expiditiously as possible in order to avoid you going to the dreaded AMCs.
Usually they'll have a full panel of assessors, repairers etc etc to deal. They'll also be able to give you a comparable hire car without going to a credit hire provider.
Best to speak to them and see what they say.
Usually they'll have a full panel of assessors, repairers etc etc to deal. They'll also be able to give you a comparable hire car without going to a credit hire provider.
Best to speak to them and see what they say.
Whether you deal with your insurer or the 3rd party's, make sure you let them know you are fully appraised of the Financial Ombudsman's stance on motor vehicle valuation for insurance purposes, and that if they want to play silly buggers then you will gladly ask for the Ombudsman to step in.
I spent 3 months arguing with my insurer about their 60% of insured value offer when my car was written off. A quick email mentioning the Ombudsmam and a cheque for the insured amount arrived the next day.
I spent 3 months arguing with my insurer about their 60% of insured value offer when my car was written off. A quick email mentioning the Ombudsmam and a cheque for the insured amount arrived the next day.
The Flying Ox said:
Whether you deal with your insurer or the 3rd party's, make sure you let them know you are fully appraised of the Financial Ombudsman's stance on motor vehicle valuation for insurance purposes, and that if they want to play silly buggers then you will gladly ask for the Ombudsman to step in.
I spent 3 months arguing with my insurer about their 60% of insured value offer when my car was written off. A quick email mentioning the Ombudsmam and a cheque for the insured amount arrived the next day.
If you're dealing with the other Insurer then Ombudsman has no jurisdiction.I spent 3 months arguing with my insurer about their 60% of insured value offer when my car was written off. A quick email mentioning the Ombudsmam and a cheque for the insured amount arrived the next day.
Andehh said:
Davie_GLA said:
Out if curiosity, why?
Heavily inflated costs, Middle man, introduces various risks with the offer of extra services to "help you - hire cars etc. Not worth it, I'd second avoiding them! I'd just contact his insurance, and process it with them. Sure they'll be quick enough at sorting it,. ha
I had a total of 2 emails for my accident. Total time out of my work day was probably 15 minutes. Majority of that explaining what had happened. From then on they did everything for me, I had a car the same day and had no impact on my work whatsoever.
AMCs can be fine when everything is hunky dory. AMCs and credit hire go hand in hand. If the OP accepts a credit hire vehicle, there is a small likelihood that the TP insurer will challenge the invoice. Some way down the line, he may have to disclose payslips, bank statements, details of investments and savings and credit cards to prove his financial position and the need for credit. Does he really want to run the risk of having to appear in Court up to 6 years down the line to explain to a Judge why he racked up thousands of pounds of hire???
Which is what's happening to me. TP disputing hire costs.
AMC kept me in a hire vehicle, and then didn't even bother to arrange an inspection on my car with the TP.
Should have been sorted in less than a week, drawn out for just under a month. I've now got the potential of a huge hire bill hanging over me.
Never again and ill go straight to the TP in the future.
AMC kept me in a hire vehicle, and then didn't even bother to arrange an inspection on my car with the TP.
Should have been sorted in less than a week, drawn out for just under a month. I've now got the potential of a huge hire bill hanging over me.
Never again and ill go straight to the TP in the future.
I also would recommend an accident management company.
They picked up my car within a couple of hours and dropped off the hire car, which was a nicely spec'd year old e-class, all I had to do was email off a form and then got a call 2 weeks later to pick up my car.
Didn't have to spend a penny or communicate with insurance companies and never without a car.
Also didn't have to deal with them trying to make me use an approved body shop bulls
t, all done by mercedes body's hop.
They picked up my car within a couple of hours and dropped off the hire car, which was a nicely spec'd year old e-class, all I had to do was email off a form and then got a call 2 weeks later to pick up my car.
Didn't have to spend a penny or communicate with insurance companies and never without a car.
Also didn't have to deal with them trying to make me use an approved body shop bulls
t, all done by mercedes body's hop. Accident management companies are parasites do not use one especially not when this is a very straight forward incident get on the phone to the 3rd parties insurer ASAP and get researching the market gue for you to replace the car so you know what figure you should expect and have half a dozen like for like examples ready to show them if needs be.
I am shocked that anyone on this forum would be dumb enough to to suggest using one of these disgusting over priced middle men in such a simple bump. Why do you think insurance has become so over priced ?
I am shocked that anyone on this forum would be dumb enough to to suggest using one of these disgusting over priced middle men in such a simple bump. Why do you think insurance has become so over priced ?
rallycross said:
Accident management companies are parasites do not use one especially not when this is a very straight forward incident get on the phone to the 3rd parties insurer ASAP and get researching the market gue for you to replace the car so you know what figure you should expect and have half a dozen like for like examples ready to show them if needs be.
I am shocked that anyone on this forum would be dumb enough to to suggest using one of these disgusting over priced middle men in such a simple bump. Why do you think insurance has become so over priced ?
AMCs wouldn't exist if insurance companies didn't consistently try to get a leg over your and make you chase them constantly. Thus the USP is developed that 'hey we will chase for you so you don't have to.'I am shocked that anyone on this forum would be dumb enough to to suggest using one of these disgusting over priced middle men in such a simple bump. Why do you think insurance has become so over priced ?
It's their own fault for allowing AMCs into the market by their own uselessness.
dacouch said:
If you're dealing with the other Insurer then Ombudsman has no jurisdiction.
Rubbish. I dealt with a third party insurance non fault accident recently. They were dragging their heels, claimed I was going to the ombudsman and what do you know, the issue was sorted nearly instantly. Insurers are governed by the Ombudsman regardless of if it's their customer or not.With the current corrupt system, the only way not to get screwed is to further add to the problems. A fake sore neck and a settlement for a few grand will see you right, in comparison to all the hassle and increased premiums etc 
I'm not seriously suggesting you do that... but easy to see why people do when the accident company are waving "free money" at them with one hand. And on the other they have a bunch of losses coming their way through no fault of their own.
I'm not seriously suggesting you do that... but easy to see why people do when the accident company are waving "free money" at them with one hand. And on the other they have a bunch of losses coming their way through no fault of their own.
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff