Car Insurance - Fake 3rd party claim paid out - no word from insurance company

bah_humbug_2

Ok heres the story

My other half very gently rear ended a car a month or so back - swapped details etc etc - other guy called to say was going thorough insurance so we did same - called our insurance (Sainsburys) saying we had pictures of hardly any damage to either car etc and stating we would settle outside of insurance if possible but knew we had to notify them as involved 3rd party - they stated that as damage was so minimal they would fight any claim made.

Just had renewal docs through stating guy has claimed and our insrance has paid out to the tune of £600 mechanical repair and is putting in an injury claim!!

They have at no point contacted us for evidence or asking what we would like to do.

Insurance quote for next year astronimical due to zero no claims.

Where do we stand?

Thanks

Quentin

You still have the option to reinstate your ncb by paying them back what your negligence has cost them.

bah_humbug_2

Dan_Thomas wrote: »

Well the insurers have obviously chosen to accept liability on your behalf (subrogation), and to go ahead with the payment.

Ultimately, you may feel as though there was no damage etc, but you're not an engineer, mechanic, or bodyshop worker. If the third party has had his car inspected, and there's a chip in the paint, the whole bumper could need removing and respraying etc. Put it like this; if someone went into your car and caused damage, you would expect it to be returned to it's initial state, and wouldn't settle for a cheap bodge job.

In terms of the injury claim, it is unfortunate, and something like whiplash is so easy to fake for an easy couple of grand. It's something that needs looking at in the industry I guess, but also bear in mind, he could be genuine. He may have taken time off work to go to Doctor's, have sore neck etc. Again, I expect that you're not medically trained, and if he has financially suffered as a result of your negligence, he is entitled to reclaim losses. No fraud here.



When you reported it, I assume that you told them you reversed into the third party. There is nothing to dispute here; you were at fault. Even if they did contact you; what is it that you would like to do?

Insurance can be brutal when you're on the losing end, especially when you're quite convinced that the claim is exagerated. However, if it went to court, you would almost certainly lose. Your insurer is doing you a favour.

This is where you stand: you can't do anything about it. If you're not happy with how you have been treated then take your business elsewhere.

edit; I've just re-read what I typed. It comes across really blunt, I really didn't intend for it to sound like this, I'm just at work rushing!

When it's put like that it does seem fair - well not fair but legal and correct. I would just have expected some form of contact as they are making desisions involving our finances.

I guess put it down to experience and move on.

Thanks - understand bluntness at work