Car Accident Today! Question about Insurance Co handling my claim!

Sarahjovi

Hi,

My car was hit at the back to today by a large van whilst I was stopped at a roundabout, causing a huge dent in the back. The other driver immediately admitted it was his fault and has given me all his details.

Now, my car is an L reg Rover Metro and I only have 3rd party fire and theft cover, so although I know I claim from his insurance, I didn't think I would get very much let alone a hire car whilst they're sorting it out. Anyway my insurance company (Provident) said as its a a no fault claim on my behalf and only 3rd party insurance, they will pass me onto they sister company (Albany Legal Expenses) to deal with the claim on my behalf. They in turn took all the details and then anounced its good news, they will deal with the claim, organise a hire car etc, etc., At no expense to me as they claim it all back from the other parties insurance.

My question is... Is this correct, I thought as I only had 3rd party insurance I wouldn't get a hire car or anything like this! I'm half expecting a phone call to tell me its all a mistake!

Also I know my car isn't worth much (I only put £200 on my insurance value), but will I get the full value (I'm sure they will write it off) there was a £100 excess on my insurance policy. Or will the other parties insurance value it for themselves.

Thanks

Sarah:D

Astaroth

Ok... sorry to hear you have been in an accident.

By the sounds of it they are putting you through the credit hire scheme - they provide a car on credit to you and then claim their costs back from the third part insurance company - there are many companies that do this.

Before you take delivery of the hire car make sure you read all the terms and conditions fully. Different credit hire companies have different rules as to what happens if they cannot claim back all the hire car charges from the other side.... some get you to buy an insurance against it, some will simply charge you for the monies not gotten back and I am sure that a few simply absorb the costs themselves when it isnt a case of the hirer lying about the circumstances of the accident.

The vehicle will be inspected by an engineer, either from Albany or from the other insurance company - Albany wasnt very big in my day so cannot remember if they use their own engineers or not. Either way the valuation will go to the third party insurers and they will decide what the fair price is for the vehicle - normally if it is an engineer instructed by a credit hire company they will pay what they say but at times there can be disagreements.

The excess on a TPFT insurance policy is only for fire or theft claims so no need to worry about that.

I hope it all works out for you.

Sarahjovi

Thanks for that! At the time of speaking to the bloke on the phone, he did say several times 'at no cost to yourself'. So I hope he meant what he said!

He asked me to take the car for 2 quotes, which I'm to send to him with any other out of pocket expenses (taxi fares etc.,)

Albany are part of the Provident Group! He said that they are also known as 'Provident... (Something or other!).

Thanks again!

Sarah

Astaroth

A fair number of insurers use Albany as their uninsured loss recovery agent - as many more use DAS - but Provident do not own them... they are owned by another credit hire car company called Helphire...
http://www.albanyassistance.co.uk/about_us.html

As I say, just read the terms and conditions fully.... my day job used to be getting us out having to pay these types of companies and I would receive daily complaints from third parties because the hire car company had passed on the charges I had refused to pay onto them. Some do absorb the costs but only if they think you are blameless for the cost being incured (usual things were like keeping the hire car for an extra day or two because they couldnt be bothered to go to the garage to collect their own vehicle or hiring a car which was much more expensive than they needed)

Helphire certainly used to charge for an "insurance" to protect from charges but dont know if they have moved Albany onto this method or not as I no longer work in claims

mandy_s_2

One thing worth remembering when a car gets written off is they will try and pay you out as little as possible. Its worth checking out their offer and if its seems reasonable then great but if it isnt enough to buy you a similar car then look up Metros of the same age on auto trader and your local paper etc and send in copies of the details to show that the offer they have made to you is inadequate. Don't let them stitch you up, especially when it's not your fault.

MarkyMarkD

If it's just the hatchback that's damaged, it could be very easily repaired - if you wanted to - as long as the main structure of the car isn't damaged. You could just get a new hatchback from a scrap yard and bolt it on.

Depends if you liked the car and valued it at more than they would - they can pay you their estimate of its value and then let you pay them (say) £50 for the salvage to get your car back.

Sarahjovi

Its not just the hatch! Its the rear bumper and the rear wheel arch and the floor of the boot looks pretty crumpled! It was quite a wallop and the vehicle that hit me had a huge bumper on it and looked hardly scratched, so I'm not hopeful (it was a great little car for its age!) I'm taking it to my usual garage tomorrow for them to look at and quote on!

Thanks for your comments

Sarah

MrT_5

Are you sure your neck isn't hurting?

Do you know that you do not have to go through your own insurance company but can go to a solicitor on a no win no fee basis. (avoid the tele ones). Given that the other person admitted liability you would have nothing to worry about. Insurance companies tend to scratch each others backs whereas a solicitor would be acting for you alone. The only stipulation is that you inform your company of the accident but for them to take no action as you are dealing with it yourself.

MarkyMarkD

Aww, Sarah, I'm sorry to hear that. It's definitely going to be written off, as you suggested.

I'm not sure I'd go to a "no win" solicitor when you already have legal expenses cover.

Bossyboots

MarkyMarkD wrote:

Aww, Sarah, I'm sorry to hear that. It's definitely going to be written off, as you suggested.

I'm not sure I'd go to a "no win" solicitor when you already have legal expenses cover.

Indeed, a condition of using this companies is usually that there must be no other avenue through which your legal expenses could be paid.

Sarahjovi

MrT wrote:

Are you sure your neck isn't hurting?

Funny you should say that! At the time of the accident, my head did jerk back and as I was looking to the right (as you do on roundabouts) its the side of my neck that feels a bit stiff! I did mention it to the bloke on the phone and he said it takes 24 to 48 hours for a whiplash injury to come out and to get some ibrufen and also to let him know if I have any problems as he can put in a claim for that too!

I'm quite happy for this to be dealt with by my insurance co! I'm not sure I want to go down the route of fleecing every last penny out of the insurance company! I really just want a car to get me around in!;)

Thanks

Sarah:D