Car crash not my fault but on the wrong end

Dalglish

I am fully comprehensively insured with legal cover and was in a rear end shunt recently that resulted in injury to my neck and shoulders from whiplash.

The other driver has admitted liability and my car has been taken for repair and a replacement courtesy car provided.
My car is a P registered Mercedes E class market value £2500 but my comprehensive Sainsbury's motor insurer has rang me giving me some options: either take a cash offer of £1200 as a write off settlement or collect the car and sort it out yourself. Also, I must decide quickly otherwise I will be liable for hire car charges. I have had legal advice and my claim for medical injury is ongoing.
I think this is appalling given that through no fault of my own, not only am I injured and suffering loss of sleep and life quality, but my car has been taken and I am being treated like the guilty party.
I am thinking of referring this to the insurance ombudsman and/ or Watchdog and am thinking of faxing Sainsburys to advise of this.
What should I do and is my treatment fair?
Thanks
Sam

Cazza

As far as I am aware, it's "normal" for the insurer to come back to you with a low offer fomr you car, this is you cue to start negotiating with them. It does seem to be an unfrotunate fact however, that the car is always worth more to you than then insurance company will offer. I believe insurance companies tend to base their offers on the trade value of the car, which is another reason their figures are lower. The alternative offer is just that, your alternative if you feel you can reapir the car more cheaply than it will cost you to repair it.

I understand you're not happy with the service you've been given, but from the details you've given, I think you might still get some mileage from talking to the insurer before starting to look at your other options.

Good luck!

lisyloo

If sounds like sainsburys think your car is a write-off but don't agree with your valuation.
It's quite common for insurance companies to offer low values first of all, plus you need to make sure you are being realistic e.g. looking at asking prices in Autotrader etc. is not realistic as cars don't sell for asking prices.

You cannot complain to the ombudsman until you have gone through sainsburys complaints procedure.

Do you have a rough idea how much the car will cost to fix?
Are you upset about the offer or do you want it fixed?

It's not uncommon for people to be disssapointed with the first offer.
So what is it you would ideally like and is it really economically viable to repair the car?

Quentin

You could consider contacting a claim handler. If they are prepared to take over the case they will deal with the third party's insurer and you can cancel your claim with your own insurer.

They would also ensure you claim everything you are entitled to (including all your uninsured expenses/losses).