Company not paying for all damage

zudecke

Hi guys,

Following on from a thread I posted just over a month ago, where I asked for advice WRT to a rented car crashing into mine and the rental company offering to foot all bills..

I was beginning to praise my decision until the other day when the garage phoned me and informed me that the rental companies hired "damage assessor" had put a question mark over the most significant and highest priority issue being fixed...

Since the incident where my stationary and unoccupied car was crashed into while I was at work, the steering has been making a funny noise when turned.. I assumed this was a result of the crash as I had not heard this before.

Apparently, according to the assessor, he deemed it unlikely that the resulting damage was enough to a) damage the power steering pump and/or b) damage the steering rack.

Now, I'm no mechanic, but I know the noise wasn't there before the accident and I am now left in a tricky situation where what is most likely the most expensive problem as a result of the incident will be left unfixed!

What do you recommend?

Regards,

Z

vax2002

Sue the other driver .
Let him worry about his insurance assessor.

s_b

if you are confident this noise wasnt there prior to the accident then you need to fight it
these assessors are usually on commission people to just save insurance companies money and will do anything to rip off people who are innocent
tell this assessor that you would like him to explain to you how your car was parked up with its steering lock on and pushed on the road that it hasnt put an enormous strain on the front suspension and probably damaged the steering lock too

property.advert

When mine came back from the main dealer the tracking could not be sorted out properly and this was down to some steering arm / tracking rod or whatever part which should have been replaced but it was not agreed by the assessor.

The dealer was told to sort it, stuff the assessor and stop fannying about.

The assessors are there to justify their own existence which is diametrically opposed to your needs.

zudecke

s_b wrote: »

if you are confident this noise wasnt there prior to the accident then you need to fight it
these assessors are usually on commission people to just save insurance companies money and will do anything to rip off people who are innocent
tell this assessor that you would like him to explain to you how your car was parked up with its steering lock on and pushed on the road that it hasnt put an enormous strain on the front suspension and probably damaged the steering lock too

I am 100% confident that the noise wasn't there. I've never had any steering issues before.

I don't know if it's the steering pump/motor or the steering rack/column, or both, but I know for sure it made no noise at all prior to the incident.

For a bit of background, my stationary car was crashed into from the drivers side rear wheel, thrusting the car forward, hitting the car in front. This resulted in considerable damage to the rear (including suspension, alloy, brakes and cosmetic damage), but much less significant damage to the front (just cosmetic damage to the front bumpers; no front suspension issues) and so for this reason they deemed it unlikely the steering issues are a result of the incident.

I have explained to the assessor that the car was parked with wheels full-locked to the right and explained that while I'm no mechanic, one would think that might effect things, steering-wise?

I've also photocopied and sent over a copy of an MOT I had done only 3 months prior to the incident, where my car passed and produced only 2 advisories for front and rear brake pads and no mention of any steering problems.

Hope this helps you help me a bit further .

Regards,

Z

zudecke

Anyone have any ideas?

pendulum

Just assert yourself, you can presumably be backed up by experts who need be who would vouch for the fact the damage could have been caused by the accident (which does seem like quite a severe accident). They are probably just trying it on, and will cave in and pay after you hassle them a bit.

zudecke

Cheers guys!

I have been trying to speak to the assessor all day, but with no joy.

Will try again on Tuesday and report back!

s_b

zudecke wrote: »

Anyone have any ideas?

YOU STAND FIRM
or get an independent inspection done
your car sounds borderline write off but maybe someones juggling figures