Query with the way insurance claims team work
Discussion
Hi all, recently involved in a collision where an HGV moved from middle lane to nearside lane and hit my car damaging it from drivers door to the rear bumper.
I contacted my insurance company who then transferred me to the policy company.
On explaining the situation I was put through to the claims team person who then repeatedly asked me if I was physically injured (no).
Then got the courtesy car offer which I declined for now as mine is fine to drive.
When I asked how my car was going to be dealt with I was told that I would have to let them take away the car, both sets of keys £200 excess and the V5c as they use a company called Copart.
I questioned why they needed my V5c and was told it was a contractual obligation.
The car is old (08 Mondeo) and worth at best £1500 but as the damage is confined to 2 doors and rear wheel arch I want to be able to claim it back as it still drives well and can get it fixed up.
How the hell do they justify taking my V5c before any decision is made and has anyone else been in this situation/
Many apologies for long rant but feel like my own insurance is taking the piss.
I contacted my insurance company who then transferred me to the policy company.
On explaining the situation I was put through to the claims team person who then repeatedly asked me if I was physically injured (no).
Then got the courtesy car offer which I declined for now as mine is fine to drive.
When I asked how my car was going to be dealt with I was told that I would have to let them take away the car, both sets of keys £200 excess and the V5c as they use a company called Copart.
I questioned why they needed my V5c and was told it was a contractual obligation.
The car is old (08 Mondeo) and worth at best £1500 but as the damage is confined to 2 doors and rear wheel arch I want to be able to claim it back as it still drives well and can get it fixed up.
How the hell do they justify taking my V5c before any decision is made and has anyone else been in this situation/
Many apologies for long rant but feel like my own insurance is taking the piss.
My car was written off in August. Once they confirmed that - and once they actually paid me - I was told that I had to fill the V5C in to say it had been sold to trade / scrapped (they gave me the name of the company who took the salvage) and send it to DVLA. But I didn't have to send it to the insurers.
They never asked for my spare key - I still have it.
I didn't have the option to buy mine back though.
They never asked for my spare key - I still have it.
I didn't have the option to buy mine back though.
If it’s going to copart, they’ve written it off without needing to assess it. Assessments cost money, and as the car is low value, there’s no point in assessing as they’re never going to consider repairing it.
You will need to speak to your insurers again if you want to buy it as salvage and repair it yourself.
You will need to speak to your insurers again if you want to buy it as salvage and repair it yourself.
TRIUMPHBULLET said:
Hi all, recently involved in a collision where an HGV moved from middle lane to nearside lane and hit my car damaging it from drivers door to the rear bumper.
I contacted my insurance company who then transferred me to the policy company.
On explaining the situation I was put through to the claims team person who then repeatedly asked me if I was physically injured (no).
Then got the courtesy car offer which I declined for now as mine is fine to drive.
When I asked how my car was going to be dealt with I was told that I would have to let them take away the car, both sets of keys £200 excess and the V5c as they use a company called Copart.
I questioned why they needed my V5c and was told it was a contractual obligation.
The car is old (08 Mondeo) and worth at best £1500 but as the damage is confined to 2 doors and rear wheel arch I want to be able to claim it back as it still drives well and can get it fixed up.
How the hell do they justify taking my V5c before any decision is made and has anyone else been in this situation/
Many apologies for long rant but feel like my own insurance is taking the piss.
Sounds like they have written it off, but from what you've said the agent on the phone didn't actually tell you this. Copart is an auction house for written-off vehicles; they want the keys and the V5 because as far as they are concerned, the car is written off and you'll no longer own it.I contacted my insurance company who then transferred me to the policy company.
On explaining the situation I was put through to the claims team person who then repeatedly asked me if I was physically injured (no).
Then got the courtesy car offer which I declined for now as mine is fine to drive.
When I asked how my car was going to be dealt with I was told that I would have to let them take away the car, both sets of keys £200 excess and the V5c as they use a company called Copart.
I questioned why they needed my V5c and was told it was a contractual obligation.
The car is old (08 Mondeo) and worth at best £1500 but as the damage is confined to 2 doors and rear wheel arch I want to be able to claim it back as it still drives well and can get it fixed up.
How the hell do they justify taking my V5c before any decision is made and has anyone else been in this situation/
Many apologies for long rant but feel like my own insurance is taking the piss.
They should give you the alternative option of retaining the car for a reduced insurance payout; that way you can keep the car and fix it yourself, but it'll have a Cat N marker on it going forward.
Same happened with my Z4; lorry changed lanes and damaged by front and rear wings - all pretty superficial and it only needed the bolt-on wings replaced, but my insurer didn't even inspect the car and said due to its age (2003) it was automatically a write-off; suspect the same has happened here. I took the reduced payout, kept the car, got 2 wings from a breakers and it was as good as new.
Good luck.
As it stands, the car is still yours, the ins co have written it off but it's STILL YOUR CAR. Do not let anyone else touch it - least of all Copart (look at the scores on the review sites) - until you have a price both you and the ins co can agree on, and BEEN PAID, if this is what you want.
Most ins co will let you buy it back (reduced payout) but if they won't and you really want to keep it then just don't make a claim, they can't force you to make a claim or to give them the car.
Expecting you to hand over the car before a price has been agreed, and paid, is just bonkers, it is not their car until they've 'bought' it. If they then wish to dispose of it via Copart that is their choice, but they have to own the car first. I suspect the person on the phone had no idea what they were doing and probably just reading off a crib sheet. Phone them up again and speak to someone different.
Most ins co will let you buy it back (reduced payout) but if they won't and you really want to keep it then just don't make a claim, they can't force you to make a claim or to give them the car.
Expecting you to hand over the car before a price has been agreed, and paid, is just bonkers, it is not their car until they've 'bought' it. If they then wish to dispose of it via Copart that is their choice, but they have to own the car first. I suspect the person on the phone had no idea what they were doing and probably just reading off a crib sheet. Phone them up again and speak to someone different.
Many thanks for the replies, considering they are supposed to be representing my best interest I am pretty pissed with them to be honest.
I have had contact with the 3rd party and they have asked if a payment would be possible (they do have insurance), if an agreement can be agreed the insurance broker and insurer can kiss my arse.
I have my classic insured with the same company but its a pretty safe bet they will no longer be getting my business in future after this.
Your help is most appreciated, thank you all.
I have had contact with the 3rd party and they have asked if a payment would be possible (they do have insurance), if an agreement can be agreed the insurance broker and insurer can kiss my arse.
I have my classic insured with the same company but its a pretty safe bet they will no longer be getting my business in future after this.
Your help is most appreciated, thank you all.
Yellow Lizud said:
As it stands, the car is still yours, the ins co have written it off but it's STILL YOUR CAR. Do not let anyone else touch it - least of all Copart (look at the scores on the review sites) - until you have a price both you and the ins co can agree on, and BEEN PAID, if this is what you want.
Most ins co will let you buy it back (reduced payout) but if they won't and you really want to keep it then just don't make a claim, they can't force you to make a claim or to give them the car.
Expecting you to hand over the car before a price has been agreed, and paid, is just bonkers, it is not their car until they've 'bought' it. If they then wish to dispose of it via Copart that is their choice, but they have to own the car first. I suspect the person on the phone had no idea what they were doing and probably just reading off a crib sheet. Phone them up again and speak to someone different.
I don't think this is necessarily correct.Most ins co will let you buy it back (reduced payout) but if they won't and you really want to keep it then just don't make a claim, they can't force you to make a claim or to give them the car.
Expecting you to hand over the car before a price has been agreed, and paid, is just bonkers, it is not their car until they've 'bought' it. If they then wish to dispose of it via Copart that is their choice, but they have to own the car first. I suspect the person on the phone had no idea what they were doing and probably just reading off a crib sheet. Phone them up again and speak to someone different.
If the OP has gone to his own insurer, the car when written off may belong to the insurer. Some insurance policies do not allow the insured to keep the salvage when written off.
That could be why they want keys and documnet.
See the policy.
kestral said:
Yellow Lizud said:
As it stands, the car is still yours, the ins co have written it off but it's STILL YOUR CAR. Do not let anyone else touch it - least of all Copart (look at the scores on the review sites) - until you have a price both you and the ins co can agree on, and BEEN PAID, if this is what you want.
Most ins co will let you buy it back (reduced payout) but if they won't and you really want to keep it then just don't make a claim, they can't force you to make a claim or to give them the car.
Expecting you to hand over the car before a price has been agreed, and paid, is just bonkers, it is not their car until they've 'bought' it. If they then wish to dispose of it via Copart that is their choice, but they have to own the car first. I suspect the person on the phone had no idea what they were doing and probably just reading off a crib sheet. Phone them up again and speak to someone different.
I don't think this is necessarily correct.Most ins co will let you buy it back (reduced payout) but if they won't and you really want to keep it then just don't make a claim, they can't force you to make a claim or to give them the car.
Expecting you to hand over the car before a price has been agreed, and paid, is just bonkers, it is not their car until they've 'bought' it. If they then wish to dispose of it via Copart that is their choice, but they have to own the car first. I suspect the person on the phone had no idea what they were doing and probably just reading off a crib sheet. Phone them up again and speak to someone different.
I
It's your car. You decide if you give it up or not.
After the s
tty way I was treated by my own insurance broker and insurance company I resolved the issue with the 3rd party.
All sorted amicably as it was only a few hundred quid.
My advice to anyone with a shed is contact 3rd party first then their insurance co and your own as a last resort.
Any insurance company that lets Copart take your car before a value has been established are shysters in my opinion, it will end in tears for many.
A plan has been hatched to change mine at next renewal.
tty way I was treated by my own insurance broker and insurance company I resolved the issue with the 3rd party.All sorted amicably as it was only a few hundred quid.
My advice to anyone with a shed is contact 3rd party first then their insurance co and your own as a last resort.
Any insurance company that lets Copart take your car before a value has been established are shysters in my opinion, it will end in tears for many.
A plan has been hatched to change mine at next renewal.
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