What to expect from an insurance company after an accident?

Pigget

Hi all,

Hope this isn't too stupid a question, I have had a search and not found an exact answer.

I was involved in a car accident last week and whilst I and the other drivers weren't injured unfortunately my car is a write off.

I wasn't at fault so am claiming on one of the other driver's policy.
Their insurance company has been very quick and given me two options regarding my car, either a cash in lieu payment or a cash payment with them taking the car away. The amount they have offered is reasonable for the car's age and mileage.

I have declined to make an injury claim, but am confused about the option of a hire car/loss of earnings. I asked about a replacement vehicle (I actually have hire car on my policy, but am not claiming against that!) and they said it would be possible and said nothing more. They also mentioned loss of earnings. I'm a full time postgraduate student so am not earning anything at the moment. I did, however, have to miss a lecture on the day in question (which I have paid for through fees) and have obviously been inconvenienced by not having a car and now having to buy a new car.

I've not been in this position before but should I expect any of these type of expenses from the other driver's insurers? If so, what sort of amount is reasonable?

Thanks in advance for any help and sorry if this is an obvious question.

McKneff

I know under normal circumstances they would have to provide you with a hire car while your car is being mended but i dont know about write offs.

Missing a lecture, could you somehow catch up.

You can, if you wish, decline their first offer and get them to up it but this will take extra time.

What ever they offer, including a hire car if they do, remember to get it in writing even if its an email.

Dont forget, you must tell your own insurance company, they dont need to be involved at all but you have to tell them it it for information only (on the phone but follow it up with an email) This will be in your terms and conditions and if you dont tell them it could come back to bite you if you have a claim in the future, All insurance companies are on a national data base and they do check this. Ask them if it will have any effect on your premium, so do load the premiums and some dont, very unfair IMO but thats life.

Its good that you werent injured and well done for being honest about injury, lots play on it.
Good luck

Pigget

Thanks for your response McKneff.

Yes, my insurance company know. I actually spoke to them first as I had no idea how the process worked. I expect that all the vehicles involved will be written off, so there was no way it was going to be a bypass the insurance jobbie! Turns out the driver I am claiming from is with another insurance company but from the same group. Very confusing as I keep speaking to the same woman. Sometimes she is calling from X company and sometimes it is Y company. I hadn't considered following it up via email, so I'll ensure I do that.

A few people suggested I play up the incredibly slight neck ache I had for the few days after the accident, but I have pulled my neck muscles worse in the night than after the accident!

Unfortunately my insurance company were a bit vague about it effecting my premium (so I assume it will), the accident also only happened about 400 yards from my home (which handily meant the police allowed me to limp my car back) so it will probably also go up due to a higher incidence of accidents in my postcode. But, like you say, that's life. I'm just glad no-one was hurt and that my car was built like a tank!

McKneff

Dont worry too much about it. It doesnt necessarily have to impact on your insurance.
I had the same last year, i wasnt even in my car when a witness just informed me that the 15ft wide tractor that was going up the road
tried to get through a 14.11 inch gap, grazing about a 2 inch bit on my back wheel arch, scraped it down to the metal. I chased him up the road, (good job the coppers werent there, Id have been done for speeding. Anyway, he admitted he had been at fault and i claimed diectly from the farmers insurance (conned into using a claims management company but thats a different story) Anyway, it transpired that my premium wasnt affected. I am with the Coop, brilliant company, been with them for years, they are always within a few pounds of
so called cheapies. I would 100% recommend them and often do. Good luck, Its not fair is it to have to go through all this stress when you havent actually done anything wrong.
Annie

The repair cost £800 plus Claims management costs, bet the tractor driver got a bollocking off his boss

rev_henry

Well, you may as well take the hire car if they're offering it. I would assume they'll let you have it for between now and when they pay out your claim. Just make sure you go over it with a fine toothed comb for scratches etc.

Secondly, there's no harm in trying to get them to up the offer a bit if you're willing to wait. Especially if they'll let you keep the hire car while they're uming and ahhing over it...

sassy_one

In response to your OP question, often a pay out via your claim is a good start