Inflated insurance claim
Discussion
At Christmas I backed into somebody's car at parking speed.
A fairly minor scratch. It's on a 2014 Ford Kuga.
I reported the accident and made a claim that morning. My fault. I thought I'd repay the insurance and withdraw the claim. I did the same about 1998, the only other time I've needed my insurance and it meant lower ongoing premiums.
Amazingly the claim value is £4970.47
The damage on my car is about £300. For reference the guy I bumped is not working and claiming disability benefits so it can't be loss of income. Additionally he had tried to chase me for MOT work after as it needed a suspension bush or something and the insurers didn't want to know. He threatened legal action to which I replied there was no way that part could be damaged in such a minor low speed bump and that any action should be directed at the insurance company as part of the claim.
I can't see how they can get to this kind of price. It was only a parking knock. No possibility of injuries as there was nobody in the car at the time.
I'm going to try and find out where this came from - whiplash in bed perhaps?
A fairly minor scratch. It's on a 2014 Ford Kuga.
I reported the accident and made a claim that morning. My fault. I thought I'd repay the insurance and withdraw the claim. I did the same about 1998, the only other time I've needed my insurance and it meant lower ongoing premiums.
Amazingly the claim value is £4970.47
The damage on my car is about £300. For reference the guy I bumped is not working and claiming disability benefits so it can't be loss of income. Additionally he had tried to chase me for MOT work after as it needed a suspension bush or something and the insurers didn't want to know. He threatened legal action to which I replied there was no way that part could be damaged in such a minor low speed bump and that any action should be directed at the insurance company as part of the claim.
I can't see how they can get to this kind of price. It was only a parking knock. No possibility of injuries as there was nobody in the car at the time.
I'm going to try and find out where this came from - whiplash in bed perhaps?
A good proportion of that is likely to be rental car that “meets certain needs” whilst theirs is being attended to by the body shop.
As you’ve already figured out, you’re unfortunately not dealing with someone of a pragmatic attitude to life, so best just leave it to the insurance company and move on.
As you’ve already figured out, you’re unfortunately not dealing with someone of a pragmatic attitude to life, so best just leave it to the insurance company and move on.
Having spent a couple of years in a total loss department of a big insurance company I was shocked at the repair costs that were coming through for very minor damage. Then you've got the hire cars at outrageous daily costs. It's easy to get frustrated but I'd say a) it's what you pay insurance for, b) a £5k claim is very small in the industry.
Petrus1983 said:
Having spent a couple of years in a total loss department of a big insurance company I was shocked at the repair costs that were coming through for very minor damage. Then you've got the hire cars at outrageous daily costs. It's easy to get frustrated but I'd say a) it's what you pay insurance for, b) a £5k claim is very small in the industry.
I thought the insurance companies had deals with the car hire firms these days to avoid the outrageous cost? It has to be the easiest of wins. Especially as he was driving the car all the time until it was put into repair for a day or two. FlyVintage said:
A good proportion of that is likely to be rental car that “meets certain needs” whilst theirs is being attended to by the body shop.
As you’ve already figured out, you’re unfortunately not dealing with someone of a pragmatic attitude to life, so best just leave it to the insurance company and move on.
I can't see how renting even a large car for a couple of days can run into thousands. I'm wondering if there has been any sort of injury or loss of "work"?As you’ve already figured out, you’re unfortunately not dealing with someone of a pragmatic attitude to life, so best just leave it to the insurance company and move on.
About 30 years ago I was run into the back of and I was stupid enough to take up the offer of a claims management company. They kept on asking me about my whiplash injury and when I repeatedly said I wasn't hurt they immediately demanded their hire car back. I had made it clear from the beginning there were no injuries.
CDP said:
FlyVintage said:
A good proportion of that is likely to be rental car that “meets certain needs” whilst theirs is being attended to by the body shop.
As you’ve already figured out, you’re unfortunately not dealing with someone of a pragmatic attitude to life, so best just leave it to the insurance company and move on.
I can't see how renting even a large car for a couple of days can run into thousands. I'm wondering if there has been any sort of injury or loss of "work"?As you’ve already figured out, you’re unfortunately not dealing with someone of a pragmatic attitude to life, so best just leave it to the insurance company and move on.
About 30 years ago I was run into the back of and I was stupid enough to take up the offer of a claims management company. They kept on asking me about my whiplash injury and when I repeatedly said I wasn't hurt they immediately demanded their hire car back. I had made it clear from the beginning there were no injuries.
it’s usually multiples of the normal rate. Petrus1983 said:
Having spent a couple of years in a total loss department of a big insurance company I was shocked at the repair costs that were coming through for very minor damage. Then you've got the hire cars at outrageous daily costs. It's easy to get frustrated but I'd say a) it's what you pay insurance for, b) a £5k claim is very small in the industry.
I wonder if the claim ended up at £4970.47 because someone knows it'll pass unquestioned as it's less than £5K.Sheepshanks said:
Petrus1983 said:
Having spent a couple of years in a total loss department of a big insurance company I was shocked at the repair costs that were coming through for very minor damage. Then you've got the hire cars at outrageous daily costs. It's easy to get frustrated but I'd say a) it's what you pay insurance for, b) a £5k claim is very small in the industry.
I wonder if the claim ended up at £4970.47 because someone knows it'll pass unquestioned as it's less than £5K.Petrus1983 said:
Having spent a couple of years in a total loss department of a big insurance company I was shocked at the repair costs that were coming through for very minor damage. Then you've got the hire cars at outrageous daily costs. It's easy to get frustrated but I'd say a) it's what you pay insurance for, b) a £5k claim is very small in the industry.
Aren't claims like these one of the reasons we all pay higher premiums? Why should we?After my experience in 2023 I'm not too surprised.
I got a tap in the rear at a set of lights. Spot the cracks in the bumper cover.
I took it to a repairer suggested by the insurer of the driver responsible and they managed to come up with an estimate of over £2K, even though a bumper cover was just £650 in primer from BMW.
Their recommended hire rate for a 3 litre BMW was £125 a day as well, so given it was a 2005 registered car they made it a Cat N as that gives them an easy life.
I got a tap in the rear at a set of lights. Spot the cracks in the bumper cover.
I took it to a repairer suggested by the insurer of the driver responsible and they managed to come up with an estimate of over £2K, even though a bumper cover was just £650 in primer from BMW.
Their recommended hire rate for a 3 litre BMW was £125 a day as well, so given it was a 2005 registered car they made it a Cat N as that gives them an easy life.
The Gauge said:
Looking at the size of that ££claim against the OP made me jolt my head back in shock.
OP can you let me know your insurance details please so that I can submit my whiplash claim.
Oh, and I'll need a hire car.
If you want to ask them I’ll give you the address of an illegal camp site on a school playing field. Please tell me what the give you…OP can you let me know your insurance details please so that I can submit my whiplash claim.
Oh, and I'll need a hire car.
🤣
flight147z said:
Rental car will be £100 a day. Assume car is two weeks being fixed and that's £1400. If insurance are sorting it will probably get a new bumper + paint, that's going to be £2000. Soon adds up
Really?About 10 years ago my car hit by a reversing lorry and so needed a new windscreen and some paint work. Car was in the garage for around 10 days, and the rental car was billed at £800 a day.
QJumper said:
flight147z said:
Rental car will be £100 a day. Assume car is two weeks being fixed and that's £1400. If insurance are sorting it will probably get a new bumper + paint, that's going to be £2000. Soon adds up
Really?About 10 years ago my car hit by a reversing lorry and so needed a new windscreen and some paint work. Car was in the garage for around 10 days, and the rental car was billed at £800 a day.
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