In Need Of Advice (Car Insurance)

meeeee

Hello,

Am in real need of some constructive advice ..

A few months ago I had a small crash which was my fault, I was in a stream of traffice & had 'bumped' the car infront. No damage to my car, but slight damage to the guy's bumper.

I have only been driving less than a year, & am not so hot on this kinda stuff....
My insurance policy was in my ex boyf's name, with me as a named driver. I think there was something like a £500 excess.

Since the accident I have cancelled my policy as I no longer have a car.
Yesterday I received a letter from the guy's solicitor with what seems to be a ridiculous amount covering the damage.

I don't even have the money for excess, & cannot get in contact with my ex regarding this.
I would like to know where I stand with all this...

Appreciate your help.

InsideInsurance

Your excess is only payable on claims for damages to your own vehicle, you do not need to pay it on third party claims.

Do you have the details of his insurance at the time of the incident? Are you on talking terms with the ex? (assume the car crash isnt the reason why they are now an ex)

meeeee

Thanks,

If I'm not liable to pay, why have his solicitors sent me details instructing I pay?

No I had no details of his insurers, only basic details. I have a witness & took pictures/videos too.

No contact with ex since cancellation of insurance, I've tried to contact him to no avail. Nothing to do with crash, no animosity, but we're just leading seperate lives now...

Ch1ckenlady

So you had the accident whilst driving your ex's car, on his insurance but you were insured to drive?

The insured person (your ex) is not forced to involve their insurer in the event of an accident.

However, did your ex make his insurers aware of the accident at the time even though he wasn't claiming for own damage? If he did, pass the third party correspondence to his insurers if you know who they are. You need to do this asap. If you don't know who they are, pass it to your ex to pass on.

Your ex's insurers are unlikely to be able to speak to you direct due to Data Protection but if you know who they are, even without a policy number, you could try calling them. They should be able to trace the policy (either on your ex's address or the vehicle registration number).

You do not pay an excess for a third party claim. The excess you mentioned relates to the insured vehicle (own damage claim).

The alternative to involving the insurers is that you/your ex, bear the cost of the third party claim yourselves to preserve the NCD.

You need to act asap. If you don't the third party could, eventually (worse case scenario), issue Court proceedings against, you as the driver.

In simple terms - if the car was insured, then the insurers should be able to deal with the third party claim, assuming your ex is willing to notify them of the incident and they are able to offer cover.

meeeee

Woah I'm confused!

It was our car, but I was driving. Main policy holder was my ex & I am named driver on vehicle.

Our insurers were aware of the incident, & sent a letter informing us of pending case & even increased the monthly cost of insurance.

It was only yesterday I received a letter from the other party's solicitor, who said they want 'X' amount of money and 'look forward to hearing from you, or your insurers'

Ch1ckenlady

ps.

Depending on the info you have about your ex and the car, you can trace the insurance policy details through the Motorists Insurers Bureau.

As I'm a new user, I can't attach the link. Search for askMID.com

Cost £3.75 for one off search.

Even if you trace the insurers, you may still need to speak to your ex if they haven't notified them of the incident.

Ch1ckenlady

Hi again. Having read your last thread, it's simples - just pass the third party letter to the vehicle insurers.

meeeee

My ex's insurers I know of, they still send correspondance to my address. I'm sure the solicitors would've sent them a copy also?

Sorry I'm getting so confused by all the jargon

Ch1ckenlady

Hi again.

The sols are unlikely to have written to the insurers so just to be on the safe side, send their letter on, keep a copy for your own records and also write to the sols to acknowledge and give them the insurers details also.

These uninsured loss recovery solictors are not that bright sometimes! They tend to go for the easy option (ie., chase the driver). Plus, the onus is on the driver so if they don't respond or act promptly, costs can escalate - all good revenue for the sols!

meeeee

Ok, many thanks for your help.
I'll pass on the letter to the insurers

InsideInsurance

Whilst insurers do everything for you it is still technically you that the third party is pursuing for damages even though the insurer ultimately pays. As such there are certain things that must be sent to you and in addition to that if the insurers isnt acting as the third party would like (too slow, disputing liability/ quantum etc) then sometime the solicitor will revert to the defendant rather than their insurer.

As has been said, just pass the letter on to your insurer and let them deal with it.