Car insurance claim not settled after 6 months

Sarobin

In January this year my car was parked outside my house. A car then hit my car and drove off. Luckily a neighbour got the registration number so I could make a claim from Elephant, my insurers.

However, they have been unable to obtain an admission of liability from the other party to date. I was waiting until this had been done before I could get the repairs carried out. However, Elephant advised me that until I got the repairs carried out (and paying the £350 excess) they would not be able to chase the claim efficiently as they would not have any costs to recover until that point.

So, I dutifully paid the excess and had the repairs carried out. I am STILL waiting for the claim to be settled. The problem is my insurance is due for renewal in a few weeks, and I want to change insurance companies. However, because the claim has not been settled, I am obviously getting ridiculously high quotes from other companies.

What can I do?

Quentin

It's normally up to you to recover your excess (as it's an uninsured loss).

In any case you can now set about recovering it, assuming the third party was insured.

Sarobin

This is the frustrating thing - I presume I can't get around the claim affecting new insurance quotes until it's settled?

Quentin

Explain the situation to your chosen insurer prior to taking out the new policy and ask that they will review your premium (and refund any overpayment) after the claim is settled and if your NCD is restored. Get their agreement in writing!

Sarobin

Thanks for your help!

Is there anything I can do to force Elephant to get their finger out - after all this has been over 6 months now...

dogbot

There isn't much, they will be chasing as they want their outlay back, but the other insurer will want to wait to get some confirmation from their policyholder that they were involved or proof they were not - if you have a description of the car and driver that will help provide evidence. Keep badgering every couple of weeks should help speed things along but you have to allow time for letters to reach the other insurer, them to deal with it etc.

Quentin

Sarobin wrote: »

Is there anything I can do to force Elephant to get their finger out - after all this has been over 6 months now...

It isn't too long in the world of insurance! Write and ask what the progress is and when will they restore your NCD.

But in the meantime you should start to chase the third party regarding your excess (and any other uninsured losses you incurred)

Sarobin

I thought it was up to Elephant to chase the excess on my behalf (as it's part of the whole claim)?

dogbot

no, it is an uninsured loss. If you have legal expenses they can help you make the claim. Most large insurers will, if you ask, also ask for your excess to be sent payable to you from the insurer but this can complicate matters as then they become in some way responsible for getting it to you, and it isn't their responsibility.

Sarobin

Hmm - this is odd, as I had a previous incident a couple of years ago with my previous insurance company (Aviva) who didn't make me pay the excess (again it was a "hit and run" accident) and got the repairs carried out BEFORE even the admission of liability as the incident was plainly not my fault (the other car had shunted into me).

So, I have no experience of having to chase the 3rd party myself - how do I go about this?

Quentin

Sarobin wrote: »

I thought it was up to Elephant to chase the excess on my behalf (as it's part of the whole claim)?

No. It isn't part of the whole claim - the excess wasn't insured by Elephant!

You presumably have other costs which aren't covered by your insurance (phone calls/postage/fares/etc plus the inconvenience you experienced and time/money involved taking your car in to the repairers etc.

(If you have legal expenses cover use that to get this claim going - otherwise write to the insurer and ask for the money, itemising all your costs)