help please had a car accident friday wasnt my fault but being charged for my vehical

leona20003

i was involved in a accident friday a car hit me and has wrote my car off the police arrived and ambulance the driver of the other car ran off before police arrived but left his car which was also a write off
while being taken to hospital my car was recovered to a compound my own insurace was just third party but my company has informed me the car that hit mine is insured and they gave me a hire car but they are now telling me that i have to pay to have my car removed from the compound to my home address the cost of this is £490 up to now with a extra £20 + vat for every day it stays there
im a single mum with 2 kids and dont have that kind of money as in recipt of beniffits its 10 days till christmas should i really have to pay to have my car brought home when it is a write off should i be the one with the responsiblity of having to deal with it im really streesed and need help asap if anyone can advise me i would be truly greatful

lisyloo

Did you pay for the legal cover option when you bought your insurance.
This is an optional extra and is about £25.
Do you have that?

leona20003

yes i got leagal cover and the insurance put me through to the solicitor who told me they dont have a fund to make upfront payments but if i kept a recipt then they would try claim it back for me trouble is i dont have the money?

lisyloo

Sorry - I don't have any helpful advice, apart from trying to get a loan from family.

You don't have insurance for your car, so you have to claim off the other party which typically takes time.

Do you have any family who would help you out in an emergency? parents?

Butterfliesarepretty

Hiya, I do feel for you I know what its like being on a tight budget, do you not have a friend with a van or truck that could tow it for you or get your recovery to do it as a favour??
Really the police have got a nerve charging you for that, why didn't they just tow it home for you?

I would refuse to pay outright on principle. If they take you to court go with it and write down everything that happened and your circumstances and that the police should have towed it home for you.

You werent to know what would have happened with your car and you relied on the emergency services to help you and then they sting you with £490? you pay your council tax including the fire and police services so in my view you should have to pay nil.

If I ever have another accident I will remember to get my car towed home and not the police

hartcjhart

Have you explained to your insurance company your predicament?

and ask them if they will pay the ammount and deduct it from the final settlement figure

terryw

shawtj2 wrote: »

If I ever have another accident I will remember to get my car towed home and not the police

This is very good advice. I learned this the hard way after my car was stolen and burnt out.

OP, I really don't know what to suggest other than to keep chasing up the other insurance company and stressing that it is urgent and will cost them more in the long run if they delay settling.

lisyloo

the police should have towed it home for you

I don't believe the police provide a free recovery service.

you relied on the emergency services

This isn't what emergency services are for.

If I ever have another accident I will remember to get my car towed home and not the police

How are you going to acheive this if you are ever unconscious?
Please let me know because I want to do it too :-)

Have you explained to your insurance company your predicament?
and ask them if they will pay the ammount and deduct it from the final settlement figure

Sadly, leona does not have insurance for her own car.
She has 3rd party only, so it doesn't cover her own car.

I do sympathise Leona, so don't think I'm not sympathetic.
I'm just don't think the comments above are corerct.

Sadly it's your own responsibiilty to pay for recovery and disposable of your own car and you don't have insurance for it.
Unfortuantely if you aren't able to make arrangements at the scene i.e. indisposed by injury then the police will make arrangements for you, but I don't think it's provided as a free service.

You may also get a bill from the hospital. The other parties insurance should pay for this,

LeeSouthEast

shawtj2 wrote: »

Really the police have got a nerve charging you for that, why didn't they just tow it home for you?

The Home Office set the recovery fees, not the police. And who do you suggest pays for the tow truck to tow home? Insurance (from either side) covers the cost of this.

PNPSUKNET

the recovery charge is set by the recovery firm. If they are insured and its a w/o might of well let them keep the car

Anihilator

To make things worse if the other driver ran off getting a settlement may be difficult.

Can't see the helphire companies jumping in to help.

If I was you I would kindly explain the situation to the impound. Ask them to release the car for no up front payment on the understanding that should you not be able to get the other parties to settle directly within say 6 months you will pay in full,