Helphire/Angel Assist - none fault accident

mustoep

Hi

On Monday, in the snow, I'd been parked in my car for about 10 minutes before collecting my daughter from school when a taxi pulled out of a side street, turning left, going slightly faster than he should have been going considering the awful snow and the fact he was coming out of a downhill road (but he wasn't breaking the speed limit) when he skidded and braked which took him over on to the opposite side of the road and into the side of my car. He couldn't provide me with his insurance details as his boss is away until next week and although I should have done so at the time, I didn't obtain any witnesses. I even let him take his passenger home then return to swap details without obtaining her details! Numbskull that I am. The police said as long as I have his registration my insurer will be able to contact his. Now then, my insurer has passed me to Helphire to arrange a replacement car and repair of mine. However, I have no debt whatsoever so the word 'credit' during the conversation made me worry and it turns out that it's a sort of credit agreement I take out with them. If the other insurer (assuming he was insured) doesn't pay out in 51 weeks, the debt becomes mine although apparently that is where the Angels Assist comes in because they would then pay out. My concern is twofold: Why would they ask me to sign an agreement to pay after 51 weeks if Angles Assist is going to pay out if the other insurer doesn't?' and 'am I wise to go ahead with this or is there some catch?'. I'm not claiming any personal injuries as there were none and I don't believe in making any up, nor am I desperate for the car to be taken and repaired now. I'd rather they took it at a time they could repair it immediately and keep the hire costs down regardless of who's paying. I also have concerns that when the taxi boss comes back he may well instruct his driver to say something other than what happened and it could become a long drawn out process ending in an unresolved dispute afer 51 weeks. I may be honest myself but I'm aware others may not be if it's at their cost. Helphire only act on behalf of non-fault drivers but how do they establish this without input from the other party? As yet, they haven't even contacted the other insurer.

Can anyone give me any advice on what I should do or does anyone have any dealings with Helphire in cases where the other insurer refuses to pay? The lady at Helphire did say (quote) 'we would never come to you for charges' and as they are FSA regulated and all calls are recorded I'm sure this statement would support any argument I may have with them after 51 weeks if they approach me but I'm sincerely concerned that the taxi driver may dispute my claim and without witnesses the whole 'non-blame' scenario cannot be proved. Of course, the taxi driver may accept he was at fault even if not through any way other than the road conditions were dire, and all the above will be moot, but I would like to know and I'm sure others may have similar concerns in the future.

Many thanks

Pam

dacouch

Have a read of the forum entries in this link to help you decide.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/search.html?searchid=50563889

My personal experiences of Helphire are not good...

mustoep

Ahh...I did search the site but didn't find this! As I suspected, ambulance chasers in another guise. Thanks so much for this.

Pam

Atermis

you could always contact the at fault parties insurers and deal direct with them.

LadyIndecisive

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=18171187#post18171187

Another thread re Helphire