Insurance payout advice

Jim02

Hi,

My girlfriend had an accident last week where another driver pulled out of a side road without warning. He was very apologetic and I don't see any problems with liability.

My girlfriend has fully comp insurance took advantage of her insurance company's offer of a free pick-up and damage assessment on her car, and the loan of a courtesy car while they pursue her claim. However, she's now found out that the courtesy car loan period is only for three days, and it will take at least that to find out whether her car is written off, let alone find and buy a replacement.

My question (finally) is: what's the procedure here? Should she phone the other insurance company and try and get their assurance that  they'll reimburse her for expenses (hire car?) incurred until she's found a suitable replacement? It's unreasonable to expect us to try and look at other cars during the week at this time of year, as it gets dark so early. So the earliest we could find another motor is the weekend. If we're forced into buying a car one evening this week just so she can get to work, it could end up costing us hundreds!

If anybody has any (preferably first-hand) experience in this area, I'd appreciate it!

Thanks

Jim

rhartley

You are entitled (in law) to hire an equivalent vehicle and recover your reasonable expenses.

Normally this sort of facility is all provided within an uninsured loss recovery package (ULR) or legal expenses insurance sold as an add-on with motor insurance. Check if you have this sort of cover (sometimes called Motorists Legal Protection).

Speak to whoever sold you your policy (if you used a broker or intermediary then they will be able to sort all of this for you - that's what they get commission for).

If you bought your insurance directly from an insurer it will almost certainly provide the cover I'm talking about.

Here's a link to the AA's info on recovering uninsured losses:-

http://www.theaa.com/allaboutcars/legal/uninsured_losses.html

Breakdown organisations generally offer this service too, if not included with your insurance.

If the car is written off, you can continue hiring up to and just beyond the point that you receive your total loss settlement offer.

Sometimes the Third Party insurer involved will continue providing a courtesy car in order to avoid the sometimes high hire car fees charges via ULR operations.