Huge courtesy car bill after car insurance fails

foggytown

According to the OP, "Her car went to be fixed and she was given a courtesy car through her insurer, Saga (Acromas) for a couple of weeks." So this wasn't the case, then?

julesjjdl

dunstonh wrote: »

I would disagree with that. This is where the legal side comes in. If she has got legal protection she should pass the information to them. If she doesnt have legal protection then she can appoint one now. The idea of legal protection is that when the companies come after payment, you let the legal team sort that sort of thing out as well as getting your excess back, out of pocket expenses and other costs incurred in your claim.

She does have legal protection with her insurance. It was the legal team at Saga that told her to go along with everything she'd been asked to do. She spent a good amount of time talking it all through with them yesterday and they didn't suggest that they would take any action on her behalf. I guess we'll just have to sit back and see what happens now but it does all seem really odd to me.

blue_monkey_2

Can you ask your mum to ring and then ask her to give permission for you to talk to them instead to clarify everything? Not sounding rude but some older people just do not get the jist of the conversation or get things muddled up - my mum used to ask permission and I spoke to people for her as she used to get confused by all of the jargon.

You'll be able to sort it for her if she gives her permission. Likewise to the Legal Insurance people.

Quentin

dunstonh wrote: »

The idea of legal protection is that when the companies come after payment, you let the legal team sort that sort of thing out as well as getting your excess back, out of pocket expenses and other costs incurred in your claim.

The "idea" that so called "legal protection" will deal with any motor related litigation such as companies coming after payment is generally a myth.

The "legal team" you get with most of the "legal protection" add ons for car insurance (including saga) is actually just for uninsured loss recovery - not (as the myth goes) provide you with a solicitor for any legal problems you encounter.

Saga's legal protection covers you for:

Any excess you may be required to pay as part of a claim
Loss of earnings
Compensation for personal injury

And only then when they consider you have a "reasonable prospect of recovery".

F_T_Buyer

This sounds crazy, I would ring Saga back and inform them you are recording the phone call. It sounds like you've spoken to someone on work experience at Saga. There is no way I would give anyone any financial information, and why would that matter at all!!!

When someone drove into me, their insurance [RBS] provided me a courtesy car, as I didn't have one with my insurance (I have now though). Twice a day, they cancelled the courtesy car policy, and rang me up to demand the car back - they said I would have to pay if I don't return it within 30mins (seriously), so I told them to come and pick it up but couldn't tell them where as I was at work. I dropped it off two days later, and demanded a taxi back home (or I would drive home and they could pick it up there). They were a few threats for payment, but I said I'm not your client and to chase RBS.

By the way, I could of afforded a brand new car for those two days if I wanted - my financial situation had nothing to do with it!