Stephensons of Easingwold bus reverses into my car - company won't pay for damage

smartcardriver

I followed, not "chased". I also used lights and horn to try and prevent him crashing into me. Lights and horn were then used appropriately, at intervals, to remind the driver to stop. I believe that complies with the highway code. I believe failing to stop at an accident doesn't and also is not legal.

I'm surprised that you don't question what sort of bus driver would reverse a bus on a roundabout at rush with traffic behind him?! Isn't any such reversing manouevre bound to result in an accident?! I doubt a bus driver would pass a PSV test with that sort of driving.

Lavendyr

Smartcardriver, the above poster is little more than a troll and I would advise you don't waste time on him. I have him on my ignore list and I would heartily recommend it; it makes reading these forums a much more enjoyable experience.

I am absolutely amazed by the behaviour both of the driver and the bus company. I don't have anything constructive to suggest, I'm afraid, but you have my sympathies - what a rubbish situation to be in.

Quentin

geri1965 wrote: »

If you are comprehensively insured, you should go through your own insurers.

This is not necessarily good advice.

If you "go through your own insurers" you always still have to claim of the third party to get back your uninsured losses (eg your excess/car hire/loss of earnings/out of pocket expenses over the matter/compensation for inconvenience caused).

So if the third party insurers are accepting liability, you can deal directly with them (using a claim handler if you want) and get everything sorted with the one company.

But if the third party dispute liability, then of course let your own insurer sort it out

geri1965_2

Yes, but at least his car would be fixed instead of sitting on his driveway waiting for the other insurer to get their act together.

Quote

I couldn't agree more with geri1965.

OP - why bother pfaffing around when your insurers should be able to sort this out. Unless there's something you're not telling us?

1jim

I would also opt to go through my own insurance company, they will make sure everything is done right and will look out for you, they can also argue the toss with the bus companies insurance whilst your car is being fixed (if fully comp), if you have legal cover as an add on I presume you could use this to relaim and uninsured loss such as excess etc.
I would also make a report to the police about the driving failing to stop (I would have thought the driver shoudl have been aware of the accident from the damage caused ans surely some of the school kids would have pointed out what had just occured) although in fairness I would have done this straightaway..at least now they could check the drivers licence etc
Good luck with it though

gizmo111

You have to report an accident ot your own insurers anyway - so do that and see what t hey advise.

Quentin

geri1965 wrote: »

Yes, but at least his car would be fixed instead of sitting on his driveway waiting for the other insurer to get their act together.

If there is no liability dispute, then you can get things going straightaway without claiming via your own insurer, (you could use a claim handler if not confident on doing things yourself).

Claiming direct with the third party does have the advantage of not subsequently having to still go to them for your uninsured losses.

(Though there are advantages in this, it's not for everyone, but bear in mind your own insurer won't do any more for you than they are required to under the policy (eg won't provide any of this unless specifically covered: provide a hire car/compensate for inconvenience/out of pocket expenses/injuries/recovery of your excess), but will lower your NCD (unless protected) until they have resolved the matter with the third party!)

smartcardriver

Quentin - I'm using a claims handler for that exact reason. One question - what happens if the coach company just refuses to pay - which appears to be the case at the moment? The company said "it was a piddling claim" and that they "would only deal privately" once I had "got my own estimate." Is this legal? Their own assessor implied the damage would go into the thousands when he inspected the car on Thursday.

dacouch

Fortunately the law has changed recently (You used to only be able to sue the policyholder), now where there is a motor policy in place you can sue the Insurer (If it comes to that).

If you have a claims management company they should be able to prepare the claim and get QBE (Who are one of the top ten largest Insurers in the World) to sort the claim out