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Claiming against third party motor insurance

Posts: 11,650 Forumite
10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
A couple of weeks ago, a neighbour, hit the back of my parked car with his company van.
He was very good - left a note admitting responsability, followed up by a letter detailing his company's insurance details - so no aggravation, there.
The 'damage' to my car looked, initially, to be quite superficial. However, it has just been assessed and the bodyshop has given me an 'estimate' of over £1k, excluding any damage that may have been done to rear suspension. :eek:
I have a £250 'excess' and would also lose my NCB if I claimed through my own insurers, so I would like to claim directly against his company's insurers.
My question is - Are there any 'template' letters that are recommended for use in such situations?
I am NOT, nor do I profess to be, a Qualified Debt Adviser. I have made MANY mistakes and have OFTEN been the unwitting victim of the the shamefull tactics of the Financial Industry.
If any of my experiences, or the knowledge that I have gained from those experiences, can help anyone who finds themselves in similar circumstances, then my experiences have not been in vain.

HMRC Bankruptcy Statistic - 26th October 2006 - 23rd April 2007 BCSC Member No. 7

DFW Nerd # 166 PROUD TO BE DEALING WITH MY DEBTS

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Comments

  • Posts: 21,637 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Just send a letter to the Insurers with an opening sentances along the following lines.

    On X date your client X Company hit the rear of my car, I hold your client fully responsible as my car was parked at the time, the damage to my car is to the rear of the car. I await your proposals to settle my claim within the next ten days.

    (Alternatively if you ring their Insurers they may handle it over the phone).

    They are likely to direct you to one of their own approved repairers
  • Posts: 2,169 Forumite
    Maybe direct the letter to the company first and let them decide whether to involve their insurer.

    If you are simply claiming for the repairs and no injury etc it may be they just settle to you directly. Often fleet policies have high Excess's on them or claim limits which means the insurer may not actually be paying out anyway for the company.
  • Posts: 36 Forumite
    hi

    had a experience a few years ago, not quite mirror yours but the result was the same.

    waiting in a gap to allow passing cars through a white van decided not to edge through carefully but race through in doing so he rubbed half the lenght of my car, (only 3 months old) and left a white strip and a small area where he chipped the paint. He was not so honourable and drove off, but i did get his reg no and reported it to the police.

    they traced owner and was told that the driver didnt realise he hit me, but would not dispute the fact, police agreed to take no action if they contacted me to settle. Got a call from company who asked if i was willing to put the car through their nomonated garage rather than the insurance co, (as they had had a bad year of accidents) I knew the garage and agreed and was happy with the repair. Had written declaration of repair quality for 3 years from garage.

    Only downside is have had to declare it to insurance every year, i know some may ask why but its a no blame fault and had police involvement, and have had a £2-3 a year loading...

    good luck and hope you get your car repaired
  • Posts: 5,818 Forumite
    Anihilator wrote: »
    Maybe direct the letter to the company first and let them decide whether to involve their insurer.

    If you are simply claiming for the repairs and no injury etc it may be they just settle to you directly. Often fleet policies have high Excess's on them or claim limits which means the insurer may not actually be paying out anyway for the company.

    I'd definitely do this - I've heard that the company I work for (and was given a company car for a bit by) settle a lot of claims directly.
  • Posts: 11,650 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Thanks for all your replies - I will write a letter to his company, enclosing copies of his letter of acknowledgement of responsibility, and await the outcome.
    I am NOT, nor do I profess to be, a Qualified Debt Adviser. I have made MANY mistakes and have OFTEN been the unwitting victim of the the shamefull tactics of the Financial Industry.
    If any of my experiences, or the knowledge that I have gained from those experiences, can help anyone who finds themselves in similar circumstances, then my experiences have not been in vain.

    HMRC Bankruptcy Statistic - 26th October 2006 - 23rd April 2007 BCSC Member No. 7

    DFW Nerd # 166 PROUD TO BE DEALING WITH MY DEBTS
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