Which insurer to claim from
Which insurer to claim from
Author
Discussion

Dino D

Original Poster:

1,953 posts

251 months

Wednesday 9th November 2016
quotequote all
So we have a no fault claim on our hands.
Another driver has driven into the back of the car and admitted fault. Their insurers (Aviva) have contacted to say they admit liability and we can claim through them. Our insurer (Admiral) says it is better to claim through them.
The car is drivable but Admiral's approved repairer has said it's uneconomical to repair (value of car around 5k).
We have the car back in our possession - it was recovered by Admiral because the driver was unwell to drive and then the car wouldn't start after the crash (turned out to be run down battery after the lights were left on after the crash).

So is it better to claim via Aviva or our own insurer Admiral? I'm thinking in terms of least hassle for getting paid out a fair price for the car, impact on premiums and need to pay out excess and general 'least hassle route'?

TooMany2cvs

29,008 posts

156 months

Thursday 10th November 2016
quotequote all
Dino D said:
Another driver has driven into the back of the car and admitted fault.

So is it better to claim via Aviva or our own insurer Admiral? I'm thinking in terms of least hassle for getting paid out a fair price for the car, impact on premiums and need to pay out excess and general 'least hassle route'?
Your choice is...
a. Claim straight from the insurer paying.
b. Claim from the insurer you may have restrictive Ts & Cs agreed with, and who will then pass the claim on to the insurer who are actually paying.

Oooh, lemme think.

Whichever way you go, you're arguing the value on the same basis, your excess is not at risk, and you're going to be declaring the exact same incident for the next five years. I'd be keeping it easy.

dacouch

1,172 posts

159 months

Thursday 10th November 2016
quotequote all
Have Admiral referred you to Albany or Auxillis if so google Albany and then bite Aviva's hand off.

There is a good reason Albany renamed themselves...

Denis O

2,141 posts

273 months

Thursday 10th November 2016
quotequote all
dacouch said:
Have Admiral referred you to Albany or Auxillis if so google Albany and then bite Aviva's hand off.

There is a good reason Albany renamed themselves...
Christ on a bike. Are Albany still ste.

They used to be rubbish 30 years ago so, obviously somethings never change. How do they stay in business.

OP. Straight to Aviva and if they start to play silly buggers, Annies Dad.

Dino D

Original Poster:

1,953 posts

251 months

Thursday 10th November 2016
quotequote all
Just had a look at some threads on Albany.
Detecting a trend here, will talk to Aviva direct...
Our car is drivable so no real need for a hire car so the services of Annie's Dad won't apply I don't think.

BertBert

21,292 posts

241 months

Thursday 10th November 2016
quotequote all
So just wondering about this and what governs the interaction of the two parties...

Deal with your own insurance company, you have the terms you have agreed with them (binds you and them) plus anything enshrined in statute plus the auspices of the ombudsman
Deal with a 3rd party insurance company, you have statute and I presume ombudsman.

What are the pros and cons of each avenue?

In the past I would have said just claim from your ins co, they pay you or get your car repaired and sort out any hassle with the other side, simple. Ioday I am not at all sure.
Bert

Denis O

2,141 posts

273 months

Thursday 10th November 2016
quotequote all
BB,

Dealing with your own insurance company will cost you your excess and 2 years NCD until the claim is resolved, in your favour, with the 3rd party. Not good news, especially if you are coming up to renewal time.

If the 3rd party insurance company play ball then all is good. If not, get an accident management company involved and not the likes of Albany. Someone like Europa, who have a good reputation.

catman

2,504 posts

205 months

Thursday 10th November 2016
quotequote all
BertBert said:
So just wondering about this and what governs the interaction of the two parties...

Deal with your own insurance company, you have the terms you have agreed with them (binds you and them) plus anything enshrined in statute plus the auspices of the ombudsman
Deal with a 3rd party insurance company, you have statute and I presume ombudsman.

What are the pros and cons of each avenue?

In the past I would have said just claim from your ins co, they pay you or get your car repaired and sort out any hassle with the other side, simple. Ioday I am not at all sure.
Bert
No, you don't have Ombudsman protection if you go directly to the third party's Insurer. You don't have a contract with them.

Tim

dacouch

1,172 posts

159 months

Thursday 10th November 2016
quotequote all
Denis O said:
Christ on a bike. Are Albany still ste.

They used to be rubbish 30 years ago so, obviously somethings never change. How do they stay in business.

OP. Straight to Aviva and if they start to play silly buggers, Annies Dad.
Why do you think they decided to rename themselves!

If you like a laugh, check out their reviews from people who have only ever posted one review on trust pilot

https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/auxillis.com

anonymous-user

84 months

Friday 11th November 2016
quotequote all
The driver who ran into the back of you shouldn't have a leg to stand on regarding whose fault it is!!
These things get sorted quite quick nowadays going from my own experience if it's obvious whose at fault.
Top tip. Pester the insurance company/ies all the time until you get your write off money, the quicker they can rid of a pest the better for them.

Dino D

Original Poster:

1,953 posts

251 months

Sunday 13th November 2016
quotequote all
Luckily they have admitted liability so no issue there.

Anybody know how it should work re a payout and the salvage of the vehicle when going through 3rd party?
Our insurer has said uneconomical to repair so if I claim form the other insurer can I ask for the value of the car (replacement) or repair costs in lieu of repair. Ideally as the car drives I'd want to keep it until we source the replacement - as is the case when buying used you have to wait sometimes for a good one so don't want to be without a car whilst looking for the replacement.

WillG

87 posts

221 months

Wednesday 16th November 2016
quotequote all
Dino D said:
Luckily they have admitted liability so no issue there.

Anybody know how it should work re a payout and the salvage of the vehicle when going through 3rd party?
Our insurer has said uneconomical to repair so if I claim form the other insurer can I ask for the value of the car (replacement) or repair costs in lieu of repair. Ideally as the car drives I'd want to keep it until we source the replacement - as is the case when buying used you have to wait sometimes for a good one so don't want to be without a car whilst looking for the replacement.
It's possible avvia would either pay you cash in lieu of repairs, you keep your car and the cash. It's not written off, you do with as you wish. Or you could ask them to pay you the value less the salvage, then you keep cat for a couple of weeks and hand over to aviva when replaced, they then send you a separate payment for the salvage value.