Insurance claim question
Discussion
I had a bit of a car par prang the other day - driver reversed out of parking space as I was driving along car pak road behind him. No injuries, I've got a dented front wing (will need replacing I think), easy bolt on panel. And there's a gouge in the rim of my wheel, so that'll probably need replacing too. Remarkably, his car suffered no visible damage. He was very apologetic, admitted fault straight away, which seems pretty much unquestionable (I'd actually stopped before impact and he carried on and reversed into me).
We're both insured fully comp, swapped details at the scene and he must've phoned his insurance company pretty much straight away. They called me shortly afterwards (or rather the accident management co that they presumably sub these things out to), said they'd accepted that it was his fault and comfirmed some of my details and said they'd put things right.
I was a bit dubious that they'd want to have my vehicle repaired at one of their preferred body shops, but I told them I wanted it to go to my local main dealer (who have their own in house body shop, and I know their work is top notch). They won't try and short cut the repairs, fill the crater rather than replace the panel. To my slight surprise, the accident management co were absolutely fine with that, said they'd liases with them, and that I could to, to get them to assess the damage and quote for the repair.
Accident management co also offered to arrange a like for like courtesy vehicle for me as well (just while mine is actually in for repair - that's all I need, it's still driveable, only light cosmetic damage). They've emailed me with some electonic document to sign and requesting photos of the damage, vin plate etc. I've not replied yet.
I think I'm happy with that, not sure I see the point in putting the claim through my own insurance company, or is there? I did phone my broker to report it and they've said it would be a really bad idea to let his insurance put things right. They didn't get as far as giving me a proper explanation, beyond 'they'll want to keep their costs to a minimum'. Yes, I'm sure they will want to keep the costs reasonable (avoid excessive hire car charges in particular). They started asking me questions about what the other drive said at the scene regarding liability. Again, he was honest enough to admit it was entirely his fault, he's obviously told his insurer that, explained the detail to them who've agreed with him, and know they're on the hook for the repairs.
I didn't get any further with my iown insurance than the initial phone call (their systems were slow, then down). They took my perosnal details and said they'd phone me back, but they haven't as yet. Is it safe to tell them I'll let the other guy's insurance sort it out? Or is that really risky, and far better to involve my own insurance company?
We're both insured fully comp, swapped details at the scene and he must've phoned his insurance company pretty much straight away. They called me shortly afterwards (or rather the accident management co that they presumably sub these things out to), said they'd accepted that it was his fault and comfirmed some of my details and said they'd put things right.
I was a bit dubious that they'd want to have my vehicle repaired at one of their preferred body shops, but I told them I wanted it to go to my local main dealer (who have their own in house body shop, and I know their work is top notch). They won't try and short cut the repairs, fill the crater rather than replace the panel. To my slight surprise, the accident management co were absolutely fine with that, said they'd liases with them, and that I could to, to get them to assess the damage and quote for the repair.
Accident management co also offered to arrange a like for like courtesy vehicle for me as well (just while mine is actually in for repair - that's all I need, it's still driveable, only light cosmetic damage). They've emailed me with some electonic document to sign and requesting photos of the damage, vin plate etc. I've not replied yet.
I think I'm happy with that, not sure I see the point in putting the claim through my own insurance company, or is there? I did phone my broker to report it and they've said it would be a really bad idea to let his insurance put things right. They didn't get as far as giving me a proper explanation, beyond 'they'll want to keep their costs to a minimum'. Yes, I'm sure they will want to keep the costs reasonable (avoid excessive hire car charges in particular). They started asking me questions about what the other drive said at the scene regarding liability. Again, he was honest enough to admit it was entirely his fault, he's obviously told his insurer that, explained the detail to them who've agreed with him, and know they're on the hook for the repairs.
I didn't get any further with my iown insurance than the initial phone call (their systems were slow, then down). They took my perosnal details and said they'd phone me back, but they haven't as yet. Is it safe to tell them I'll let the other guy's insurance sort it out? Or is that really risky, and far better to involve my own insurance company?
Let their insurance company deal with the bill, you just book it in where you want. Let them provide the replacement car too (unless your repairer will provide one). In fact now they have offered, you might even find it difficult to have one provided by your own insurer (who will use another accident management company and try to send them the bill).
All you need from your insurer is to let them know, as per your contract. You’ve had a non-fault claim and they are picking up the bill.
All you need from your insurer is to let them know, as per your contract. You’ve had a non-fault claim and they are picking up the bill.
Of course your insurance company doesn’t want the third parties insurance to be dealing with this.
Your insurance co gets a nice cut from passing your details to the accident management company who will bill them for massive car hire charges that they can pass straight over to the other parties insurance.
It’s in the third parties interest to get your claim in and out the door as swiftly as possible to minimise their costs.
Of course this goes out the window if the claim is in dispute but if it’s as cut and dried as you say then you are doing the correct thing.
Alucidnation said:
You should be informing them even if you don’t put in a claim with them.
I was intending to tell them about it. That was why I phoned them to report it, but then they started laying it on thick saying I needed to put the claim through them (but then ended the call before talkign to a proper claims handler due to their systmems being down).My only concern with using the 3rd party's insurance direct is if they tried to back track on accepting liability down the road. Don't see how or why they would though, but I haven't got anything in writing stating it. And I presume my own legal protection cover won't get involved to help me if I've bypassed my own insurance company.
Drawweight said:
Of course your insurance company doesn’t want the third parties insurance to be dealing with this.
Your insurance co gets a nice cut from passing your details to the accident management company who will bill them for massive car hire charges that they can pass straight over to the other parties insurance.
It’s in the third parties interest to get your claim in and out the door as swiftly as possible to minimise their costs.
Of course this goes out the window if the claim is in dispute but if it’s as cut and dried as you say then you are doing the correct thing.
This. Your broker stands to make money out of dealing with it. 3rd party insurer wants to avoid all the inflated costs. Your insurance co gets a nice cut from passing your details to the accident management company who will bill them for massive car hire charges that they can pass straight over to the other parties insurance.
It’s in the third parties interest to get your claim in and out the door as swiftly as possible to minimise their costs.
Of course this goes out the window if the claim is in dispute but if it’s as cut and dried as you say then you are doing the correct thing.
Who are the other guys insurers?
We had a non-fault with a guy insured with LV. all sorted at my choice of repairer, car provided, no issues with the repair etc (and no impact on our insurance because 'full recovery')
Only issue was a delay because they wanted to inspect it before repair - Which I think was because the bloke thought we were taking the piss with repair costs. He had wanted to just pay cash because he thought it would be cheap. I don't think he understood that adaptive xenon headlamps come in at around a grand and bumpers are 500 + a wing + pearlescent paint+ labour+vat. So his cash offer starting at £750 and going up to £1500 was never going to be taken up.
The inspector from LV took one look at it and said why did anyone query it?
They have agreed to your choice of repairer and offered you a replacement car, so you are getting everything that you want.
The TP Insurer will be happy to meet your requirements, as it will cost them far less than you being put on to an accident management company by your own Insurer. What are you concerned about?
The TP Insurer will be happy to meet your requirements, as it will cost them far less than you being put on to an accident management company by your own Insurer. What are you concerned about?
catman said:
What are you concerned about?
My only concern is that my own insurance company (Adrian Flux) have said it's a really bad idea for me to deal direct, implied that the 3rd party's accident management company would try and trick me somehow? My own insurance company should have my best interest's at heart, so it feels 'wrong' to go against their advice, even though I suspect the real reason is shady kick backs,commissions and inflated claims with these accident management companies.If Adrian Flux told me that tomorrow is the day after today, I'd want a second opinion. They have accepted liability already, so I would be happy with that. You could always mention cancelling the arrangement if they were to mess you around.
My Son had a car driven into once, and decided to use his own Insurer to deal with it. He regretted it, as they gave him the run around for months. He was also advised not to deal with the TP Insurer.
My Son had a car driven into once, and decided to use his own Insurer to deal with it. He regretted it, as they gave him the run around for months. He was also advised not to deal with the TP Insurer.
I had a similar situation a couple of years ago. Other driver tried to exit roundabout from wrong lane and clipped the rear of my car.
They admitted liability and third party insurers called me the same day.
My insurers didn't push me to claim through my own insurance at all and were happy for it to go through third party.
I had zero issues. (I didn't need the like for like car they offered though)
They admitted liability and third party insurers called me the same day.
My insurers didn't push me to claim through my own insurance at all and were happy for it to go through third party.
I had zero issues. (I didn't need the like for like car they offered though)
mjb1 said:
My only concern is that my own insurance company (Adrian Flux) have said it's a really bad idea for me to deal direct, implied that the 3rd party's accident management company would try and trick me somehow? My own insurance company should have my best interest's at heart, so it feels 'wrong' to go against their advice, even though I suspect the real reason is shady kick backs,commissions and inflated claims with these accident management companies.
As already mentioned, Adrian flux (or possibly the hopeless accident management cretins they contract) are talking b
ks...You're much better dealing directly with the third party than waiting for flux's lot to get their stuff together - I had similar with a no fault, and flux were hopeless, I got pissed off and contacted the third party insurers directly, they couldn't have been easier to deal with... As said, it's in their interest to sort it out quickly and easily, whereas flux's accident management w
kers will be looking to pad the bill/draw it out...Fatboy said:
As already mentioned, Adrian flux (or possibly the hopeless accident management cretins they contract) are talking bks...
You're much better dealing directly with the third party than waiting for flux's lot to get their stuff together - I had similar with a no fault, and flux were hopeless, I got pissed off and contacted the third party insurers directly, they couldn't have been easier to deal with... As said, it's in their interest to sort it out quickly and easily, whereas flux's accident management wkers will be looking to pad the bill/draw it out...
Thanks, that confirms my suspicions. I phoned Flux yesterday to report it and they said they'd have to phone me back as there was an issue with their computer systems. Told me that they'd get back to me yesterday, but still haven't. I've reported it to them, so as far as I'm concerned, that's my obligation covered.ks...You're much better dealing directly with the third party than waiting for flux's lot to get their stuff together - I had similar with a no fault, and flux were hopeless, I got pissed off and contacted the third party insurers directly, they couldn't have been easier to deal with... As said, it's in their interest to sort it out quickly and easily, whereas flux's accident management w
kers will be looking to pad the bill/draw it out...Nezquick said:
TooLateForAName said:
catman said:
If Adrian Flux told me that tomorrow is the day after today, I'd want a second opinion.
Got to agree with this as well.Later on I got a call back running over the statement I had given Flux about the bump. It turned out I wasn't speaking to Adrian Flux, it was the injury claims specialist they had sold my details on to. They were also desperate for me to claim and were telling me to lie.
Claim off the other guy's insurance company. Avoid the management company and Flux.
davek_964 said:
I had zero issues. (I didn't need the like for like car they offered though)
IME the "like for like" only works if you have something utterly mundane or ridiculously special. If you had something like a 1.0T Focus you'd get identical...If you have a Focus ST however you'd get just a normal Focus. Yet a Focus RS might see you in another Focus RS.
So far as "like for like" cars for my 2.5T Mondeo Estate I've had.
Diesel Rav4
Diesel Galaxy
Petrol Insignia (hatchback).
None of them are in anyway "like for like" except in size (they did make me appreciate my car even more though).
As has been outlined, you'll be fine.
Someone t-boned me about 18 months ago, turns out it was a BT company car. BT wanted to handle it, I let them.
They spent £3700 fixing up my 2009 X-Type and provided me with a spanking new C-Klasse for 6 weeks whilst it was being repaired.
My insurance were absolutely fine about me doing this.
Someone t-boned me about 18 months ago, turns out it was a BT company car. BT wanted to handle it, I let them.
They spent £3700 fixing up my 2009 X-Type and provided me with a spanking new C-Klasse for 6 weeks whilst it was being repaired.
My insurance were absolutely fine about me doing this.
The car they are offering you wont be a like for like, it will be a car of a similar class, if your using the third parties insurers, you will have a bit more leway with what car you have as they will be providing it at a massively reduced rate, as they will have an agreement with a hire company if the AMC dont have a fleet of their own vehicles.
Your insurance will push you to use them as they will make money on the claim from the Third Party Insurers, you need to be aware that if you did decide to use your own insurers, they may struggle to offer you a suitable car as they will only be able to charge the amount of money that the third party insurers can supply a suitable car for, as the Third Party Insurers have made you a suitable offer.
For Example, the AMC that your insurance company may use may supply you with a suitable car and charge the TPI £200 a day, the TPI may be able to source a suitable car for £50 a day, therefore, if the TPI make you a suitable offer first, then your insurers can only charge the TPI £50 a day for a car.
The only potential issue you may have i if there is an issue with the repairs, you have to take it up with the TPI and nhot your insurers.
Your insurance will push you to use them as they will make money on the claim from the Third Party Insurers, you need to be aware that if you did decide to use your own insurers, they may struggle to offer you a suitable car as they will only be able to charge the amount of money that the third party insurers can supply a suitable car for, as the Third Party Insurers have made you a suitable offer.
For Example, the AMC that your insurance company may use may supply you with a suitable car and charge the TPI £200 a day, the TPI may be able to source a suitable car for £50 a day, therefore, if the TPI make you a suitable offer first, then your insurers can only charge the TPI £50 a day for a car.
The only potential issue you may have i if there is an issue with the repairs, you have to take it up with the TPI and nhot your insurers.
Fastdruid said:
davek_964 said:
I had zero issues. (I didn't need the like for like car they offered though)
IME the "like for like" only works if you have something utterly mundane or ridiculously special. If you had something like a 1.0T Focus you'd get identical...If you have a Focus ST however you'd get just a normal Focus. Yet a Focus RS might see you in another Focus RS.
So far as "like for like" cars for my 2.5T Mondeo Estate I've had.
Diesel Rav4
Diesel Galaxy
Petrol Insignia (hatchback).
None of them are in anyway "like for like" except in size (they did make me appreciate my car even more though).
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