Legal situation on car hire.

Phil-W_3

OK - thanks for replies everyone.

I contacted the insurance company and they tell me that they've briefed solicitors and the matter is closed.

What I can't do as yet is verify that myself.

Suggestions?

Phil.

Clive_Woody

Phil-W wrote: »

OK - thanks for replies everyone.

I contacted the insurance company and they tell me that they've briefed solicitors and the matter is closed.

What I can't do as yet is verify that myself.

Suggestions?

Phil.

Ask them to confirm this to you in writing.

LadyIndecisive

If the matter is not proceeding at Court your insurer should request a copy of the 'Notice of Discontinuance' (of the action) from the other side and let you have a copy.

Phil-W_3

Thanks to everyone that's helped thus far.

Update on the situation. The insurance company has now instructed solicitors who've responded to the claim. (Although it took a fair few phone calls to get some action). They're contesting the claim on the grounds that the amount claimed for use of the hire car was excessive.

What's still unexplained (and I can't find out) is why it got to this stage. Apparently the insurance company paid for repairs to his car and not for the hire car - yet as far as I can make out it's usual for them to arrange for a hire car while his cars under repair.

It also appears he's used his legal cover with his insurance company to start an action in the county court - which begs the question why the two insurance companies haven't sorted it out between them.

Thoughts?

Phil.

lisyloo

which begs the question why the two insurance companies haven't sorted it out between them.

Because your insurers think his claim is excessive so they have refused to pay.
Hence there is a standoff.

The only way the other side can proceed is through legal action.
This will either result in some negotiation give that that gauntlet has been thrown down OR in some cases it does actually go before a judge.

LadyIndecisive

There is a stand off indeed, but it is not between the two insurers per se.

The legal cover on a motor policy would rarely (if ever) be underwritten by the motor insurer, it is a separate policy = legal expenses insurance.

The legal expenses insurer has arranged a hire car. The car is hired on a credit basis to the third party.

The excessive claim could be the number of days hire or the type of vehicle hired, or both.

Ultimately it is the credit hire firm that will have pushed this to litigation by not accepting the offer(s) from your insurer. Hence the Court must decide.

You may be able to look at the Defence being filed so you can understand the issues.