Accident in France?
Discussion
So yesterday, we were involved in an accident in France where we were stationary and got rear ended in traffic. We completed the Constat Amiable where the French driver admitted liability - and signed as such. Now when speaking to our insurer (the AA) they are saying we have to treat it as a fault claim because its too difficult to claim on a foreign plate as they didnt complete a Green Card.
This stinks to me, we have the driver, their insurer, their admission, photos, and the Green Card isnt mandatory for European drivers as far as I am aware?
Has anybody been through something similar? For the time being we have submitted the CAAD, as it has a 5 day rule, but not raised a claim, as we will have the damage assessed when we return (looks cosmetic).
This stinks to me, we have the driver, their insurer, their admission, photos, and the Green Card isnt mandatory for European drivers as far as I am aware?
Has anybody been through something similar? For the time being we have submitted the CAAD, as it has a 5 day rule, but not raised a claim, as we will have the damage assessed when we return (looks cosmetic).
I can’t see what a green card has to do with it. Do they not mean it will go down as fault until they recover their money from the foreign insurer? Getting money back from a foreign insurer typically takes a year+ as it’s a very long winded process going through UK handling agents but can’t see why your insurer wouldn’t go after them on such a claim?!
Not sure how helpful this will be but several years ago I had my company car E-Class reversed into in a French lay-by. Did about £3k of damage but was drivable.
The claim was complicated by it being a company insurance policy, so all my contact was via HR but it took a lot of chasing to get the insurance company to follow up (despite the other driver admitting liability and providing all of the necessary details).
Eventually, after about 2 years, the repair costs were covered but my insurance never recovered the costs of my hire car, which they told me under French law the 3rd party wasn’t required to pay for.
Had I known I would have refused the hire car as annoyingly this meant I had to declare it as a ‘costs not fully recovered’ claim on my personal car policies, which probably bumped up my premiums.
The claim was complicated by it being a company insurance policy, so all my contact was via HR but it took a lot of chasing to get the insurance company to follow up (despite the other driver admitting liability and providing all of the necessary details).
Eventually, after about 2 years, the repair costs were covered but my insurance never recovered the costs of my hire car, which they told me under French law the 3rd party wasn’t required to pay for.
Had I known I would have refused the hire car as annoyingly this meant I had to declare it as a ‘costs not fully recovered’ claim on my personal car policies, which probably bumped up my premiums.
Thanks for the replies, its incredibly frustrating for our part - primarily because theres question marks on the extent of the damage - some chips and scuffs, with our excess being £350. As we are selling in the coming weeks anyway it needs to be repaired, but we cant end up in a years long battle with a half assed insurer who is unwilling to settle non-fault!
We are going to assess the damage at a garage in the UK see if we can smart repair it for less than the excess, or if its a big job then insurance route and hope for the best!
Its baffling that due to it being an EU driver theres hesitance and reluctance to pursue properly, especially with a full suite if details!
We only came to Normandy for a holiday and sightseeing, not to be rear ended by an 87 year old who was around when we were storming the beaches!! Some thank she gave!!
We are going to assess the damage at a garage in the UK see if we can smart repair it for less than the excess, or if its a big job then insurance route and hope for the best!
Its baffling that due to it being an EU driver theres hesitance and reluctance to pursue properly, especially with a full suite if details!
We only came to Normandy for a holiday and sightseeing, not to be rear ended by an 87 year old who was around when we were storming the beaches!! Some thank she gave!!
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