Claiming back insurance excess

davyscot4

Hi folks.

I've been driving for forty years with no accidents. On leaving my local garage on the 27/10/09 a vehicle hit the back of my car. The lady driving, admitted it was her fault and furnished details.The rear nearside light cluster was damaged. A new unit costs £80.00.

My insurance excess is £350.00 and although I have comprehensive cover, I have been told by the insurance company I will have to approach the third parties insurance company to recover my excess amount of £350.00. I said I was quite prepared to purchase and fit the light assembly if I was refunded the amount.

My insurance company is RAC and I find this advice rather unsettling as I have just engaged them recently and despite asking to hear from a manager on three occasions I have not as yet 01/11/09. Could someone please offer me some guidance. Thank you.

raskazz

I don't see what your point is really. It seems to me that to repair the damage sustained will cost an amount less than your excess. Hence there is no point in involving your own insurer.

davyscot4

Hi Thanks for your reply.

I forgot the best bit. My insurance company said initially, not to contact the third party. Then they said I should. My main point is why should I have to pay anything at all. This, I assumed was why I took the policy cover out in the first place. To cover this eventuality.

Is it, I am missing something out here, or when it is the third party's fault I can not claim from them the amount of excess I have to pay out, if I engaged my insurance company.

dacouch

As you have elected for an excess of £350 and received a discount for it your Insurance only pays for any claims over and above £350, this is why they are not interested in paying out.

If you have legal cover they might deal with it, failing that contact the other Insurers yourself and ask them to repair the car

Quentin

Yes, you need to pursue the third party for all uninsured losses, and your excess is an uninsured loss.

As already advised it is pointless making a claim off your own insurer for £80.

Claim directly from the third party insurers. Send them a letter telling them you hold their insured responsible for the incident, enclose a quote for the repair (you may as well get a quote to include fitting), ask them to confirm they will reimburse your costs, and offer them the opportunity to inspect the damage before you get it fixed.

Await their reply and take it from there.