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Car accident I know nothing about
haggul
Posts: 5 Forumite
About 3 weeks ago I received a letter from my insurers (Highway) saying they were sorry I had a car accident on the 4th March 2010 and could I call them to discuss it! Talk about news to me!
I was sure a quick phonecall would clear this up as to my knowledge I have never had a crash with anyone! I was told that a third party had reported an "incident" and it would be looked into - I of course told them I was oblivious to anything.
I followed up with a letter reinforcing this, and asking the usual sort of questions - exactly where and when etc so I can hopefully prove it's some sort of clerical error or mistaken identity. I chased it today only to be told that the 3rd party insurers have heard nothing since the original report of the incident and are awaiting info from their insured - not helpful to my cause.
I am changing my vehicle now (was on the cards well before this letter arrived out of the blue as the finance has ended) and am having issues with swapping the insurance over.
I called my brokers (Barclays) to change the car over, and they knew nothing of the alleged incident (I told them because I don't want it to bite me later), and despite me telling them I knew nothing either they of course proceeded with all the usual "was it your fault", "how much did it cost" questions which were obviously on their screen.
Funny thing is my current insurers Highway didn't want to know via Barclays, so they had to look to someone else to underwrite, and came back with a quote more than double what I was paying - for not dissimilar a car!
What can I do to speed resolution of the issue? Am I likely to be able to get a reduction and/or refund of excessive premiums if it turns out (as I expect) to be some sort of mistake?
Anyone else been through this grief before have any good advice because I am stressing that something I know nothing about can cause so much hassle and expense.
I was sure a quick phonecall would clear this up as to my knowledge I have never had a crash with anyone! I was told that a third party had reported an "incident" and it would be looked into - I of course told them I was oblivious to anything.
I followed up with a letter reinforcing this, and asking the usual sort of questions - exactly where and when etc so I can hopefully prove it's some sort of clerical error or mistaken identity. I chased it today only to be told that the 3rd party insurers have heard nothing since the original report of the incident and are awaiting info from their insured - not helpful to my cause.
I am changing my vehicle now (was on the cards well before this letter arrived out of the blue as the finance has ended) and am having issues with swapping the insurance over.
I called my brokers (Barclays) to change the car over, and they knew nothing of the alleged incident (I told them because I don't want it to bite me later), and despite me telling them I knew nothing either they of course proceeded with all the usual "was it your fault", "how much did it cost" questions which were obviously on their screen.
Funny thing is my current insurers Highway didn't want to know via Barclays, so they had to look to someone else to underwrite, and came back with a quote more than double what I was paying - for not dissimilar a car!
What can I do to speed resolution of the issue? Am I likely to be able to get a reduction and/or refund of excessive premiums if it turns out (as I expect) to be some sort of mistake?
Anyone else been through this grief before have any good advice because I am stressing that something I know nothing about can cause so much hassle and expense.
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Comments
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When looking for a new company, explain to them the circs and ask that should your NCD be reinstated they agree to adjust your premium to the correct level (from inception date), and refund you the premium overpaid.0
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Hi
It is up to Barclays to help you with this. They are your broker, so make them work for you.
You need to kick up a fuss about this and get someone to take ownership of this. I am sure that if you were a VIP customer of theirs, they would be pulling out all the stops.The comments I post are personal opinion. Always refer to official information sources before relying on internet forums. If you have a problem with any organisation, enter into their official complaints process at the earliest opportunity, as sometimes complaints have to be started within a certain time frame.0 -
Funny thing is I sort of assumed they would know but they don't seem to have been made aware by the insurance co. So now when they are looking around it's like I'm a risky driver to them with a fairly recent claim.
The lady I spoke to seemed clueless, and just wanted to follow her script, getting frustrated with me when I couldn't answer her questions.0 -
In situations like this, you have to penetrate the frontline staff manning the phones and ask to speak to someone more experienced. A manager or customer relations team should be able to assist.The comments I post are personal opinion. Always refer to official information sources before relying on internet forums. If you have a problem with any organisation, enter into their official complaints process at the earliest opportunity, as sometimes complaints have to be started within a certain time frame.0
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Another quick question - if I get no joy with Highway / Barclays and shop around how do I declare this mystery claim? Is there an official term for it? I had a quick look on RAC website and it had no options for unresolved / disputed claims it seemed, just fault or not.
Or do you think it's better in this slightly complex situation to speak to a real person (and forgo any possible online discount?)0 -
Or do you think it's better in this slightly complex situation to speak to a real person (and forgo any possible online discount?)
Yes, you would need to explain the situ. If you were forced to go elsewhere, a letter from Highway explaining the position and what no claims discount applied would be helpful to you.
Sometimes in these situ's it can be best to use a local broker (not Swintons), so they can do the donkey work for you.
Nb. As Highway could not offer you continuing cover for your new car, you will have to battle it out with them, about whether you owe the full years premium. Once a claim is added (even if it is bogus) they would normally want the full year. So if you have been paying monthly, they will be expecting payments to continue, even if they could not Insure the new car.The comments I post are personal opinion. Always refer to official information sources before relying on internet forums. If you have a problem with any organisation, enter into their official complaints process at the earliest opportunity, as sometimes complaints have to be started within a certain time frame.0
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