First ever claim - advice?

lordsmiff

Hi everyone.

Yesterday morning on my way to a new job(!) I was hit whilst stopped at a zebra crossing by a bus.

We both pulled up and I got his details from him and everything was very civil - he accepted responsibility for it about 5 times!

I called off at a local motor repairs place and they have advised me to use www. autoassistcarhireltd. co. uk (sorry, first post so I'm not allowed to have links in) as a kind of accident management company.

The body shop came highly recommended and they seemed very nice and having spoken to someone from Auto Assist, they seemed very nice too. They told me that they pass the details of the claim onto Camps Solicitors (a trading name of 2020 Legal Limited who are registered with the Law Society etc) and that I don't need to go through my insurance company at all.

I have no real experience of which way to go with this - I have fully comp insurance and legal cover but just wondered if anyone could give me some advice as to which route to go.

At this point, I have not agreed anything or engaged anyone and haven't even phoned my Insurance Company yet.

I've got a doctor's appointment tomorrow because I have a sitiff and a little painful back and neck and down the limbs on the left side but hardly anything debilitating.

I'm not in this to make loads of compensation money, I'm more interested in getting my car fixed properly.

Any thoughts you have are much appreciated!

Cheers,
Smiffy.

InsideInsurance

Ultimately it is up to you if you want to line the pockets of ambulance chasers or not.

Also be aware that (1) you must inform your insurers now even if you dont intend to claim from them (2) that unfortunately whilst drivers can admit liability at the scene that things can change afterwards, particularly with "professional" drivers (buses, lorries, taxis etc)

The quickest route to getting the car fixed is via your own insurers but you may have to pay your excess and it can impact your policy if it renews whilst the claim is still open.

The safest route is claiming directly from the TP or their insurers (many bus companies self insure) as then there is no credit agreements (as they hire car company will want you to sign) and no risk that they turn round afterwards and dispute quantum. It can be slowest route and not all people are willing to deal directly with the non-fault party.

You can use credit hire and no win no fee solicitors etc but you may as well do a bit of googling and you will find ambulance chasers that will pay you a couple of hundred pounds for you allowing them to represent you rather than the garage that recommended yo to the hire company receiving the fee.