What to do now.

intel

Hi Peeps....

In September of 2004 I was involved in a car crash, nothing major just a silly sod went into the side of my car, now I put in a claim to get the repairs carried out on my car, Ok got that bit sorted no problems.

6 weeks later I phoned my Insurance company at the time were Hill House Hammond, just to ask what was going on as I wouldnt mind having the cost of a new tyre and the excess back to the amount of £150.

They said they are dealing with it and would phone me back with 2days to give me an update, 5day's pass and no phonecall so I phoned them back and they said they would give me another bell that very same day as money was tight it would of come in handy to have back.

Well over the next two weeks I phoned them and just go nowhere, I was being passed from pillar to post and basically being fobbed off.

So my last phonecall to HHH was, Is it possible to close my Insurance account with them and go with someone else as im not that impressed with them anymore as no one knows waht is happening to the money I paid out or what is happening to the claim.

The reply I got was, Certainly Sir you may close your account with us as you have paid upto and beyond the date of the crash so you wont be liable for any more payments, Yipee I thought so I went and got a new Insurer.

1 week later I recieve a phonecall from HHH asking for the remainder of the years premiums to I replied Im sorry but I was informed by a previous Cust support rep that I could change insurers, to which I was told well that was a mistake so can you please pay £114.00 or we wont investigate the claim.

So now Ive paid £100.00 excess £50.00 for a tyre and £114.00 fro their bad advice so far so bad........


After some time of speaking to HHH they agreed that if the Bump went in my favour I would get everything back.. i.e excess, Tyre and premium...

So time goes by and HHH have now been closed or bought out by Norwich Union and then Capita Insurance, So I then get a letter saying that the Bump has gone 50/50 and I have the right to appeal, So I did and also asked if its gone 50/50 do I get back half of my excess, tyre and premium, they said no but no explanation as to why, and then said that the letter that I had from HHH was void as the company didnt exist "!!!!!!" are they on about Ive asked for an explanation about this but nothing.

A year goes by and I decide to do some legwork and plaster the area of where the accident happened with flyers asking for a witness to come forward, Wow 1week of flyers and someone comes forward and describes the accident via a witness statement to the lawyers who are acting on behalf of me.. i get a copy and fair play it shows im not in the wrong....

I might get my money Yipee.....

Oh hang on a moment I got a letter this morning saying that it is still going 50/50 "!!!!!!" I have a drawing infront of me with a brief description stating that the other Vehicle was in the wrong.....

So in other words what should I do next as my Insurers and Insurers lawyer wont do anything they are just so lazy its unreal...

Its no wonder people drive with no Insurance
if this is the shambolic service you pay out for..

Anyone got any ideas as what I should do next, I have just e-mailed the lawyer acting on behalf my Insurers, and said I would get in contact with the
http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/ Is that right

savvy

Hi Intel
Sounds a right mess.........................and usually what I end up going through, never flamin simple is it!! :rolleyes:

Have you kept a diary of events and names of people you have spoken to about every tiny little thing?

How about going to CAB first and find out what your rights may be in this situation, and then go to Insurance Ombudsman so that you present a solid case?

Good luck

intel

Oh my Savvers... I really appreciate that you read it thanks as I thought it was a dead dodo......... I will indeed be seeking advice from the CAB office and may post back........ If yer still interested in 9mths time :rolleyes:

savvy

Well Intel I endeavour to ensure that everyone that posts here gets some sort of response, I know it can feel like you're being ignored otherwise. The regular posters here are far more knowledgeable than I am, but maybe online less than me

So it may just have been that they haven't been on recently OR maybe you just stumped them with your problem

Whatever happens, do report back so that if anyone else finds themselves in your position in the future, they can learn from your experiences.

Thanks
savvy

Justicia

Hey there, intel!

As I have said previously in similar threads, if things are going wrong or not going anywhere in regards to insurance matters (like yours), then always inform them that you are preparing to take the matter to the FOS and then if no joy, be sure to do it...

In many cases, I believe (as was in mine) that it wakes them up as obviously many insurance companies don't want their procedures to be examined by an outside body, so a threat may be all it takes (but DO go through with the threat if necessary).

As it now appears to be around 15 months since the actual incident, get onto the FOS now - I would personally make the threat and if necessary start the procedure instead of/as well as waiting for a consultation with the CAB (who may have a Christmas debt back-log), as you want to start it rolling immediately to get it all cleared as soon as possible.

Get a formal letter sent to the current insurers handling the case, with the reference to the FOS soon becoming involved, give them 14 days to reply with a solid "way forward" plan that is reasonable and in the meantime start completing the online FOS form ready to be sent to them.

Let us know how things go