Elise smashed by uninsured drink-driving £*&*$!
Discussion
Hi.
I don't normally post on here, so new name for you all. But I'm really after any advice from anyone that may have been in a similar situation.... (I hope you haven't!)
I was woken up at 2am this morning to see a VW Golf reverse at speed into the rear drivers side of my Elise sending the bodywork everywhere, pushing the car up onto the pavement, bursting the tyre, and twisting the direction of the kerb-side wheel. Then watched it smash into 3 other cars down the street and hit the building opposite mine. One girl staggered out of the car - the driver - she was so wasted she could hardly walk, tottering all over the place trying to drag the other one out of the passenger seat.
I was mad! Watching this all from my window speaking to 999 in my boxer shorts having had my wisdom teeth taken out the previous day.
Anyway, the neighbours were all out and the police got them cos they couldn't get anywhere in that state. To make it all the more complicated, it transpires the car belonged to a boyfriend, was untaxed - declared off road - and neither girl insured to drive it.
My car was taken up to a compound somewhere. But I'm after advice on what to do now. I'll be speaking to the insurance company on Monday (ensign - via adrian flux). I guess a write off is a better outcome than a repair job ?? I've always taken the car to Sinclaires - are they the best to quote for the work?
There's a big bit of me that just wants to share this with my fellow Elise owners - you'll know how gutted I feel!!!
Thanks. But really ANY advice appreciated. I've never been in this situation before and I can see a great big wrangle - ie lots of waiting without my car - trying to get the money from somewhere ....
I don't normally post on here, so new name for you all. But I'm really after any advice from anyone that may have been in a similar situation.... (I hope you haven't!)
I was woken up at 2am this morning to see a VW Golf reverse at speed into the rear drivers side of my Elise sending the bodywork everywhere, pushing the car up onto the pavement, bursting the tyre, and twisting the direction of the kerb-side wheel. Then watched it smash into 3 other cars down the street and hit the building opposite mine. One girl staggered out of the car - the driver - she was so wasted she could hardly walk, tottering all over the place trying to drag the other one out of the passenger seat.
I was mad! Watching this all from my window speaking to 999 in my boxer shorts having had my wisdom teeth taken out the previous day.
Anyway, the neighbours were all out and the police got them cos they couldn't get anywhere in that state. To make it all the more complicated, it transpires the car belonged to a boyfriend, was untaxed - declared off road - and neither girl insured to drive it.
My car was taken up to a compound somewhere. But I'm after advice on what to do now. I'll be speaking to the insurance company on Monday (ensign - via adrian flux). I guess a write off is a better outcome than a repair job ?? I've always taken the car to Sinclaires - are they the best to quote for the work?
There's a big bit of me that just wants to share this with my fellow Elise owners - you'll know how gutted I feel!!!
Thanks. But really ANY advice appreciated. I've never been in this situation before and I can see a great big wrangle - ie lots of waiting without my car - trying to get the money from somewhere ....
thanks guys. you're right the only saving grace is that they were caught - they'll have a mighty hangover today that's for sure. and no-one was hurt. but i think their chances of hitting a moving object would have been slim! i'll guess i'll just have to get used to a hire car in the meantime .......
If the boyfriend who owned the car had it insured, eventhough his girlfriend was driving and not named on the policy then his insurance company would still have to pay, as it is part of the road traffic act under third party cover, no matter who is driving.
If he is insured and he doesn't want to take is girlfriend to court because she effectively stole it, then the insurer would pay out to you and then seek the cost direct fron the boyfriend. If that makes sense!
I am not 100% on this but I work for a company who have specialist car insurance claims handlers.
If he is insured and he doesn't want to take is girlfriend to court because she effectively stole it, then the insurer would pay out to you and then seek the cost direct fron the boyfriend. If that makes sense!
I am not 100% on this but I work for a company who have specialist car insurance claims handlers.
Sorry to hear that. Not sure about insurance in that respect but hope it's true, Motor Insurance Bureau cover such situations but only for injuries. Other course is a civil action but they have to have the money in the first place for you to be able to sue them.
Notice you're a member of SELOC, worth asking Strees on there - you may have to join as a paid-up member but could save you £££ if he can help
Notice you're a member of SELOC, worth asking Strees on there - you may have to join as a paid-up member but could save you £££ if he can help
4pot said:
If the boyfriend who owned the car had it insured, eventhough his girlfriend was driving and not named on the policy then his insurance company would still have to pay, as it is part of the road traffic act under third party cover, no matter who is driving.
If he is insured and he doesn't want to take is girlfriend to court because she effectively stole it, then the insurer would pay out to you and then seek the cost direct fron the boyfriend. If that makes sense!
I am not 100% on this but I work for a company who have specialist car insurance claims handlers.
You are right. I work in the legal arena and RTA insurer would have to cover the loss. However, if the car is untaxed and declared SORN it doesn't sound likely he will have insurance either
Worth asking the police to enquire though as if they dont get the details it will be difficult for you to try and obtain them afterwards.Contact Steve Greensmith "anniesdad" on Pistonheads. He runs an accident management company (no, not an ambulance chaser) and REALLY helped me out when I had an accident last year.
He has also helped out several friends and was recommended to me by a few people on here. His retained lawyers are handling my claim which is due to go to court in a week or so for my uninsured losses.
I'm sure he'll be able to offer help/advice.
He has also helped out several friends and was recommended to me by a few people on here. His retained lawyers are handling my claim which is due to go to court in a week or so for my uninsured losses.
I'm sure he'll be able to offer help/advice.
Bad news, good job you caught them.
If you want it kept on the road take it to an independent.
If you want it written off take it to a dealer.
In short dealers send them to independents. The independents quote number of hour’s labor + parts to you or the dealer. The dealer uses his hourly rate circa £60 to £100 per hour, the independent quotes £35 to £45 per hour.
Hope that helps.
Gary
If you want it kept on the road take it to an independent.
If you want it written off take it to a dealer.
In short dealers send them to independents. The independents quote number of hour’s labor + parts to you or the dealer. The dealer uses his hourly rate circa £60 to £100 per hour, the independent quotes £35 to £45 per hour.
Hope that helps.
Gary
but not the liver though... Sorry to hear about your Elise - somehow it feels even worse when it's not your fault.
I'm also insured with Ensign through Adrian Flux. I had an crash a few months ago where the car that caused it didn't stop and no-one got his registration so it ended up being a claim on my policy.
Ensign had no problem with me taking it to a Lotus main dealer (Lotus Ribble Valley) and they did an excellent job of the repairs. A big advantage was that they lent me a courtesy car and so I didn't have to hire one, the cost of which would have come out of my pocket because I had no-one to claim against. The only major problem I had was that one of the original five-spoke alloys got buckled and there are no new ones available anywhere (believe me, I spent weeks looking). Ensign suggested putting one odd alloy on, but in the end I had to accept a cash settlement equal to the list price of one wheel and then fork out for a new set of four.
I'd recommend keeping pushing Ensign and Adrian Flux to get the claim sorted as they were both incredibly slow and nothing really happened without me helping it along.
I'd also prepare yourself for a shock with your insurance renewal - my premium has gone up 50% and my compulsory excess has increased by £100 even though I had protected no-claims and the accident wasn't my fault. Apparantly they just look at whether your insurance company managed to recover the cost from someone else's.
Good luck with the claim.
I'm also insured with Ensign through Adrian Flux. I had an crash a few months ago where the car that caused it didn't stop and no-one got his registration so it ended up being a claim on my policy.
Ensign had no problem with me taking it to a Lotus main dealer (Lotus Ribble Valley) and they did an excellent job of the repairs. A big advantage was that they lent me a courtesy car and so I didn't have to hire one, the cost of which would have come out of my pocket because I had no-one to claim against. The only major problem I had was that one of the original five-spoke alloys got buckled and there are no new ones available anywhere (believe me, I spent weeks looking). Ensign suggested putting one odd alloy on, but in the end I had to accept a cash settlement equal to the list price of one wheel and then fork out for a new set of four.
I'd recommend keeping pushing Ensign and Adrian Flux to get the claim sorted as they were both incredibly slow and nothing really happened without me helping it along.
I'd also prepare yourself for a shock with your insurance renewal - my premium has gone up 50% and my compulsory excess has increased by £100 even though I had protected no-claims and the accident wasn't my fault. Apparantly they just look at whether your insurance company managed to recover the cost from someone else's.
Good luck with the claim.
S1 mon said:
The only major problem I had was that one of the original five-spoke alloys got buckled and there are no new ones available anywhere (believe me, I spent weeks looking). Ensign suggested putting one odd alloy on, but in the end I had to accept a cash settlement equal to the list price of one wheel and then fork out for a new set of four.
I'd recommend keeping pushing Ensign and Adrian Flux to get the claim sorted as they were both incredibly slow and nothing really happened without me helping it along.
I'd also prepare yourself for a shock with your insurance renewal - my premium has gone up 50% and my compulsory excess has increased by £100 even though I had protected no-claims and the accident wasn't my fault. Apparantly they just look at whether your insurance company managed to recover the cost from someone else's.
Good luck with the claim.
AF in "no-help when it comes to claim time" no shocker. One reason why I will never put any money their way in future, regardless if they are cheapest or not. Utterly useless in every way.
Your renewal story is gutting and goes to show how we get shafted at every turn. I really think that part of every premium should be put into a fund which goes towards claims made against uninsured drivers. It's so unfair that the decent citizens of this world continually get stiffed by the bad eggs (and the insurers!).
Thanks for all the replies. Well I'm holding out that it's all just cosmetic and not as bad as the drama of the night seemed to make out. I've been treated pretty well so far, a brand new BMW 320i turned up on my doorstep on Sat afternoon so I've been driving while sitting in an armchair since then - nowhere near as fun!! (For the record that was with Helphire - they were excellent.)
It turns out the nutter's car was insured, even tho' it was declared off road. Which is very odd - and good ! So that at least means my insurance company will be able to get the money from somewhere. Sinclaires (over the phone) think the repairs will be around the 4k mark, so I guess not a write off, but it all depends on the extent of any unseen damage. I trust they'll do an excellent job so I'll be getting my "old car" back.
In the meantime, yes, I will just hassle Adrian Flux and Ensign constantly. I've been told the claim goes through "ClaimTec" and Sinclaires tell me they're rubbish - so I'm already prepared with managers' phone numbers and all. And I tell you, my premium is gonna be MENTAL next year. There'll be a record of 4 accidents down my street and I'm already suffering from living right in the centre of London - Clerkenwell if anyone knows it.
Oh and I've also done some research on replacement costs for '98 elises. There are so many on the market !! Price range seems to be £8-13k for mileage 15-50k. Not much correlation between price and mileage either. I guess there are just "desperate to sells" and "trying it on" types out there ???
It turns out the nutter's car was insured, even tho' it was declared off road. Which is very odd - and good ! So that at least means my insurance company will be able to get the money from somewhere. Sinclaires (over the phone) think the repairs will be around the 4k mark, so I guess not a write off, but it all depends on the extent of any unseen damage. I trust they'll do an excellent job so I'll be getting my "old car" back.
In the meantime, yes, I will just hassle Adrian Flux and Ensign constantly. I've been told the claim goes through "ClaimTec" and Sinclaires tell me they're rubbish - so I'm already prepared with managers' phone numbers and all. And I tell you, my premium is gonna be MENTAL next year. There'll be a record of 4 accidents down my street and I'm already suffering from living right in the centre of London - Clerkenwell if anyone knows it.
Oh and I've also done some research on replacement costs for '98 elises. There are so many on the market !! Price range seems to be £8-13k for mileage 15-50k. Not much correlation between price and mileage either. I guess there are just "desperate to sells" and "trying it on" types out there ???
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