Insurance, who is responsable for what?

[drew.h]

I was unlucky to have a head on crash on Wednesday, other driver was on my side of the road and is being prosecuted.
I contacted my insurance broker, who said to contact the under writers, because they will need to deal with it. Under writers said the brokers should sort it out, and so started the buck passing.

Enterprise phoned me to sort out a hire car and said they could deal with the claim, but the brokers had put a block on them doing so. Once that was sorted out Enterprise said they needed the other insurance company to admit liability before anything could go forward, but they couldn't get in contact with them. It only took me a couple of minutes to contact them (just needed to ignore the phone menu system), but I was told they had no record of the crash, because their customer hadn't reported it and they can't do anything until he does.

The other driver is an ex-pat and only over here for a few days. The phone number I have for him just goes to an answer phone and his address is a caravan site.

So I'm left with no car and we have horses that need sorting twice a day.

Who should I keep pestering to get this sorted ASAP.

Police recon if we had both been doing 10MPH more it could have been fatal. I think if either of us had been doing 10MPH more I would have had serious leg injuries, the floor in my pickup had buckled and at 6ft3in there isn't much room for my legs in this car as it is. I just have a lot of bruising from seat belt and steering wheel, which is excruciatingly painful when I move, cough, or even breath.

[mph1977]

what does your policy document say about making a claim ?

a lot of insurance regardless of whether purchased direct , via an online intermediary (simples !) or a bricks and mortar broker has a specific 'to make a claim ' phone no. etc ...

[V8forweekends]

You aren't being very clear here - you need to distinguish between your broker (if you have one), your ins co (I assume this is what you are calling "Underwriters"?) and the third party and his/her broker and insurer.

If I was you, and if I had a broker, I would ask if they are planning to chase up your uninsured losses (hire car etc) on your behalf. Assuming they say no, and assuming you have no legal expenses cover, you have two choices-

Chase it all up yourself

Involve an accident management co.

As for identifying the Third party, Police and/or DVLA can help.

If you need a Hire car, hire the most modest you can - but it's down to you to pay in the hope of getting it back later unless you can get the other side to cough up or a claims management co to take the risk.

[elanfan]

Why do you employ a broker and then have them expect you deal with things - that is not how it should work - they earn a commission from your premium which pays their wages. Tell them to get off their arses and do their job!

I suspect you will need your insurers to deal with this on your policy. You will lose 2 years no claims until the third party instructs his insurers to deal with the claim. If this doesn't happen you need to threaten him with civil proceedings (which should make him wake up) and if necessary follow it through. Be careful on the hire car front - you aren't guaranteed to get the costs back particularly if matey boy doesn't instruct his insurers (and you are expected to minimise your losses).

I reckon an initial visit to the caravan to find out the score and if no response a recorded delivery letter - but again your broker should be dealing with this.

[drew.h]

So basically, if I hadn't of involved Enterprise then its up to me to get my own hire car and try to claim this back. Presumably the way to get this sorted quicker is to get a hire car (probably need a small van) and inform his insurance company I intend to claim for the cost of this up to the date they settle the claim.

[speedking31]

His insurance company "What claim?". He is not obliged to use them to settle.

[Pagey]

Phone your broker back and tell them that you purchased a policy via them so you expect them to deal with it.

If they won't play ball, tell them that you will give them an hour to think about it or you will instruct an accident management company without any further conversation with them.


Then contact Europa consultants and let them deal with it.

[drew.h]

All sorted now. The broker (despite telling me that they are not dealing with it and the insurance company would, plus telling me if I get solicitors phoning to tell them to get lost) has arranged everything, including getting a preferred solicitor to phone me, who I almost told to get lost.

The only people who appeared to know what was going on was Enterprise. Hopefully will get a van before the day is out.

I'm not using Budget again!