Non fault accident.

Hugh_Jaleak

My car was hit on Friday by a third party whilst parked in a resident bay. (Partner had used it to visit her mother.) She came out to find a note on the car "Sorry about the car. Ring (his number). She duly contacted the other driver who was keen for his 'mate' to do the repairs to our car so it "wouldnt affect our no claims" (his and our). It wont affect ours anyway as the car was parked unattended amd he hit it!

I wans't having 'his mate' touch the car, I want it repaired to a standard, not down to a price so contacted our Insurers, Admiral. Admiral promptly passed it to Albany Assistance, so I duly Googled them. Not happy with what I read about Albany.

Not having had to make a claim for a good number of years, i'm not completely sure of procedure. If someone could advise me i'd be grateful.

Do I have to continue with Albany or can I insist Admiral (or bypass both and ask the other party's insurers to) deal direct with a garage of my choosing? Happy to get several quotes, but have a preferred choice.

Thanks.

McKneff

It's simple - first of all you must get it in writing that the TP is admitting responsiblity 100%, this should be given to you by his insurance people, they should give you instructions to take it to a garage (of your choice) get a quote, which the garage should fax or email to them. They will give the garage the go ahead to do the work, request a loan car if you need it, if you dont, then dont, you must mitigate your losses, garage will repair the car, send the bill to the Insurance company, Thats it, apart from the fact that you must inform your insurance company For Information Only for the time being

You pick up your car and get on with your life. Simple eh when youre not at fault. Your insurance people may up your premium anyway (yes, I know, not fair) some do and some dont, Ive had 2 non fault incidents in 15 months and neither of my policies were affected, one was with CIS and the other with Aegis.

If you get any carp from his insurance people tell them you do not want to involve your own insurance company and yo will instruct a Clamis Management Company to act on your behalf, they will fall over themselves to help you because a CMP will cost them a fortune in fees on top of the repairs to your car. (Albany assistance sound like one of these, contact them and tell them you dont need their help for now and you will contact them if you do) These people are leeches, all out to make extra bucks when it really isnt necessary. You really dont need them unless the TP ins. is giving you trouble.
Let us know how you get on please.

Hugh_Jaleak

Thank you very much for a prompt reply. I've already contacted Admiral, who in turn promptly passed it straight on to Albany. I'll contact the other party's insurers and see if they wish to deal direct with me, if so i'll follow your advice. Soon as I get written confirmation from them i'll tell Admiral/Albany to let me sort it out.

No question as to liability, the other guy claims he 'left his handbrake off', but I rather suspect his eyesight is very poor and he's simply not seen our car, backed into it and basically pushed it! (It was straight when parked, he'd left it sitting at an angle....:eek:)

Our car is driveable, hopefully my garage will be able to do the repairs in a few days, we can manage without the car for a week or so.

McKneff

I know its really annoying when you have to go through all the hassle and stress when you havent done anything wrong.
Both my non fault accidents were sorted out within 2 weeks so hopefully it wont be too long before youre on the road 'whole' again.

Glad to have been of help.

Annie