Insurance question - advice from those in the know?
Discussion
I'm insured with a company. Not one of the biggest ones. I won't name them as I think they have rules. Yesterday I was completely at fault and have injured my partner and destroyed some of her stuff. The stuff doesn't really matter. However I'd like her to have a phone for when she is out of hospital.
I called my insurers - and asked if she could deal with them directly rather than going through a solicitor. Was told she needed to be represented... Which is at odds with some of the stuff I've read on here before. Basically I'm trying to make the process as quick for her as possible, whilst maybe saving the insurance company some money.
So (Loon maybe) does that sound right? Or have I spoken to the wrong person? I'm not slating the company at all, so it's Endsleigh if it makes any difference.
Finally - if I go and buy her a phone can she claim the cost back? I don't think it's unreasonable for someone who is going to be housebound to have the ability to call her friends and family. But an iPhone 6 plus is expensive and I'd rather just give her my phone if it will save me £700, then I'll just buy a cheap job for me and work.
Thanks
(Short - want to know if my partner can deal directly with insurer, and if she can get a new phone before it goes on for however long).
I called my insurers - and asked if she could deal with them directly rather than going through a solicitor. Was told she needed to be represented... Which is at odds with some of the stuff I've read on here before. Basically I'm trying to make the process as quick for her as possible, whilst maybe saving the insurance company some money.
So (Loon maybe) does that sound right? Or have I spoken to the wrong person? I'm not slating the company at all, so it's Endsleigh if it makes any difference.
Finally - if I go and buy her a phone can she claim the cost back? I don't think it's unreasonable for someone who is going to be housebound to have the ability to call her friends and family. But an iPhone 6 plus is expensive and I'd rather just give her my phone if it will save me £700, then I'll just buy a cheap job for me and work.
Thanks
(Short - want to know if my partner can deal directly with insurer, and if she can get a new phone before it goes on for however long).
I know it's hard to give more context without giving TOO much, but I'm a bit baffled here.
Amongst the "stuff" that's been destroyed is her mobile, right? And it's a contract phone in her name that isn't covered by accidental damage replacement?
What insurance policy, in whose name, are you suggesting she talks to? Your car insurance?
<edit: Ah, yes. Your car insurance. That starts to make it a bit clearer...>
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
The quickest and easiest way to get her in contact with the world is probably just to buy a cheap phone, get it unlocked, and shove her old SIM in it. If she's going to be housebound, she's not going to need an all-singing-all-dancing smartphone - she'll have access to a laptop or tablet on home wifi, right? But, presumably, if she's at home, she'll also have access to a landline...?
Amongst the "stuff" that's been destroyed is her mobile, right? And it's a contract phone in her name that isn't covered by accidental damage replacement?
What insurance policy, in whose name, are you suggesting she talks to? Your car insurance?
<edit: Ah, yes. Your car insurance. That starts to make it a bit clearer...>
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
The quickest and easiest way to get her in contact with the world is probably just to buy a cheap phone, get it unlocked, and shove her old SIM in it. If she's going to be housebound, she's not going to need an all-singing-all-dancing smartphone - she'll have access to a laptop or tablet on home wifi, right? But, presumably, if she's at home, she'll also have access to a landline...?
Edited by TooMany2cvs on Wednesday 9th September 09:53
No house phone.
I crashed the car. It was my car. In my name. I don't think she has separate insurance for her phone. I'm the one who loses and breaks them. The claim is against me.
I don't mind if she can't claim. I'll sort her out with a phone. I just wanted a quick answer to the question. I think she is coming home later depending on a scan and I'll be at work for the rest of the week so I want to sort this today.
I crashed the car. It was my car. In my name. I don't think she has separate insurance for her phone. I'm the one who loses and breaks them. The claim is against me.
I don't mind if she can't claim. I'll sort her out with a phone. I just wanted a quick answer to the question. I think she is coming home later depending on a scan and I'll be at work for the rest of the week so I want to sort this today.
TooMany2cvs said:
<boggle>
So no domestic broadband, either?
Just total reliance on the mobile network...?
No of course we have broadband. We just chose to not have a phone. Neither of us are in that much - and it works better for us to use mobiles. That being said - I regularly use my 4g connection to hotspot in london and if I didn't use so much data I'd happily go with that option. So no domestic broadband, either?
Just total reliance on the mobile network...?
Now back on topic. I really would like to know if an insurer would refuse a claim if someone has replaced something themselves in this situation. By asking the question that bluntly I think I know the answer - but I'd still like to hear from someone who really knows if they are willing to say.
photosnob said:
I really would like to know if an insurer would refuse a claim if someone has replaced something themselves in this situation. By asking the question that bluntly I think I know the answer - but I'd still like to hear from someone who really knows if they are willing to say.
You have to give them the option to replace first. They buy at a much cheaper rate. Previously, when I've negotiated a cash settlement in lieu I only got the agreed price minus the VAT which they would have reclaimed.Ask them. For a smaller value item they might let you. Get authorisation first.
Oh, and if you're interested in an iPhone 6, the new model is being revealed in a few hours.
I would handle the claim as if she were a stranger you happened to be giving a lift to. So buy whatever needs to be bought and get her (or her solicitor) to write to you, saying she was a passenger in your car and as a result of your negligence, she suffered the following injuries and losses.
She could say in the letter that her phone was smashed, so she had bought a new one and here is the bill.
She will probably need to get proper representation to claim the correct amount for her injury.
She could say in the letter that her phone was smashed, so she had bought a new one and here is the bill.
She will probably need to get proper representation to claim the correct amount for her injury.
Why not speak to your insurer , explain the situation and ask how best to proceed ?
She will be able to get a doctor's report outlining injuries , the smashed phone will be evident ( neither of you on a contract and due an upgrade anyway ? )
The only unknown is the length of time off work and suffering she might endure , and I suspect that will be the largest part of the claim - since she was a passenger in your car I wonder whether your household insurance might provide legal assistance to represent her , or your own insurance's legal assistance since she was in your car ....
She will be able to get a doctor's report outlining injuries , the smashed phone will be evident ( neither of you on a contract and due an upgrade anyway ? )
The only unknown is the length of time off work and suffering she might endure , and I suspect that will be the largest part of the claim - since she was a passenger in your car I wonder whether your household insurance might provide legal assistance to represent her , or your own insurance's legal assistance since she was in your car ....
JustinP1 said:
You have to give them the option to replace first. They buy at a much cheaper rate. Previously, when I've negotiated a cash settlement in lieu I only got the agreed price minus the VAT which they would have reclaimed.
Ask them. For a smaller value item they might let you. Get authorisation first.
Oh, and if you're interested in an iPhone 6, the new model is being revealed in a few hours.
No you don't have to give them an option to replace, that's if it's you claiming on your insurance. Ask them. For a smaller value item they might let you. Get authorisation first.
Oh, and if you're interested in an iPhone 6, the new model is being revealed in a few hours.
In answer to the OP, your insurers are possibly concerned either about the extent of the injuries after a hospital visit. Deal direct tends to be limited to the usual minor injury / soft tissue damage. There's also the concern over your connection.
You can go out and replace the phone like for like and claim it back, or you can buy a stop gap phone and then ask them to replace the original one on a like for like basis, but they're unlikely to pay for the stop gap phone as well.
GreatGranny said:
Can you do that?
The injuries part, from your partner?
Is the phone covered through accidental damage on your house insurance?
Surely better to go that route.
They may just authorise it there and then for a reasonably small amount.
Yes. She's a passenger, he was negligent not her. If they had kids in the car they could claim too if injured. The injuries part, from your partner?
Is the phone covered through accidental damage on your house insurance?
Surely better to go that route.
They may just authorise it there and then for a reasonably small amount.
Phones are normally excluded from accidental damage cover on home insurance unless specifically included as a named item.
GreatGranny said:
Can you do that?
The injuries part, from your partner?
If you drive like a pillock and injure someone, that someone has a claim against you (or in practice, your insurer) for negligence. It doesn't really matter whether they're a passenger, a friend, a partner or whatever - they still someone who was injured as a result of your negligence, so their claim is generally unaffected. The injuries part, from your partner?
There are a handful of exceptions - for example if you knowingly get into a car with a drunk driver that might be classed as contributory negligence on your part and you would see your payout reduced - but in 99% of cases a passenger can claim for injury just as another driver or pedestrian could.
LoonR1 said:
No you don't have to give them an option to replace, that's if it's you claiming on your insurance.
In answer to the OP, your insurers are possibly concerned either about the extent of the injuries after a hospital visit. Deal direct tends to be limited to the usual minor injury / soft tissue damage. There's also the concern over your connection.
You can go out and replace the phone like for like and claim it back, or you can buy a stop gap phone and then ask them to replace the original one on a like for like basis, but they're unlikely to pay for the stop gap phone as well.
Thanks loon. I've had a pop at you on here a few times. But that's really helped me out. Appreciate it. In answer to the OP, your insurers are possibly concerned either about the extent of the injuries after a hospital visit. Deal direct tends to be limited to the usual minor injury / soft tissue damage. There's also the concern over your connection.
You can go out and replace the phone like for like and claim it back, or you can buy a stop gap phone and then ask them to replace the original one on a like for like basis, but they're unlikely to pay for the stop gap phone as well.
photosnob said:
I called my insurers - and asked if she could deal with them directly rather than going through a solicitor. Was told she needed to be represented... Which is at odds with some of the stuff I've read on here before. Basically I'm trying to make the process as quick for her as possible, whilst maybe saving the insurance company some money.
Why do you, or her, not want representation for her? I'd have thought she'd get a far better payout via a solicitor than doing it herself and as she is injured it's best not to rush things as you may not know how she'll be affected in the future. A mate of mine made a claim for a back injury caused at work, settled early only to find that after two failed operations he's going to be permanently disabled.jagracer said:
hy do you, or her, not want representation for her? I'd have thought she'd get a far better payout via a solicitor than doing it herself and as she is injured it's best not to rush things as you may not know how she'll be affected in the future. A mate of mine made a claim for a back injury caused at work, settled early only to find that after two failed operations he's going to be permanently disabled.
Did he settle using a solicitor? If so he can sue them, as the sharks are now eating the sharks. Despite the opinions on here there is no definite value to using a solicitor over dealing direct. Quite often an insurer will settle with exact the same figure (or even higher), but without a solicitor they won't be taking a chunk of your compensation now that they can't sell an after the event policy to cover their costs.
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