courtesy car after accident - problem

ab7167

I was wondering if anyone knew how to resolve the situation I'm in at the moment.

I bumped my car in a car park on Mon 19th January. No other car was involved, I hit a low barrier that I simply hadn't seen. The barrier was not damaged in any way (small amount of blue paint, but no bending or anything like that). It was below the level of the light cluster, so no lights damaged - so I simply drove home.

The next day when I looked at the damage in daylight, I decided to make a claim on my comprehensive insurance policy, totally accepted that I was at fault and was prepared to lose my no claims bonus.

Running along side this is the fact that the policy expires at midnight on 28th January. I asked my current insurer for a new quote based on the above claim being included on my history, and they quoted £610! Given last years was £340...

So I asked them if it would affect the claim in any way if I moved insurance companies while the repairs were being carried out. They said no, as I had already paid the complete premium for the year.

The problem is that my policy says I am entitled to a courtesy car for the duration of any approved repairs.

Now, I've been to the Endsleigh approved garage, as directed by them to get the car repaired. They cannot fit me in until 2nd February. Admiral (my new insurer) will insure the courtesy car, but I will have to pay to have it added as this is not an approved repair under the new policy. Endsleigh will not insure the courtesy car as I will have no policy in place with them at the time I will have it. They will also not refund the costs to me of insuring the courtesty car with Admiral (who I agree are fully justified in charging me). They are now saying that the courtesy car offer only applies if I am insured with them and that "the claim will be closed on 29th January". If so, how are they going to pay the garage? And why wasn't I told this when I asked if there would be any problems with moving to another insurance company. I was told that they would provide a courtesy car for the duration of any approved repair (which this is) and now they are saying they will provide the car but not insure it - how am I supposed to drive without insurance? (I won't, of course, but I do need a car to work).

What do I do? And does anyone know the likely costs of adding a car to a policy for 4 days? If minimal, I guess I will just swallow and snarl, as my policy with Admiral was only £340 for the year so have already saved a lot.

Or is this a princple that I should fight?

Or am I totally wrong, and this is normal?

I've never claimed on my own policy before, only other peoples - where they pay for everything you need to remain in the position you were before the accident.

Help!

Alex