Accident in France - Insurance 'minefield'

crafty_Blue

Accident Friday pm .Wife & I arrived back UK 4am. Car written off -French driver fell asleep at wheel and ploughed into back of us [wife has whiplash injuries]. Just found out because I don't have green card, I will have to pursue claims for loss of vehicle, injuries etc myself, via the other driver's insurance. What chance that, eh ?
Whilst I'm pretty knowledgable about most things, I'm wondering if there is such a thing as a no-win lawyer who handles 'foreign' claims like these ? I'm also without a car until I can buy a new one.

any advice welcomed.

rs65

I thought green cards were a thing of the past. Did you not have European cover?

I'm sure a solicitor would take it on anyway.

Quentin

crafty_Blue wrote: »

... Just found out because I don't have green card, I will have to pursue claims for loss of vehicle, injuries etc myself, via the other driver's insurance.....

A green card is not required for France.

(They just confirm you have legal cover anyway for any third party damage yoi do, they do not give comprehensive cover, which you must buy yourself!)

dacouch

You can find the Insurers UK representative who handles claims on their behalf here. NB they act on behalf of the other Insurer

http://www.mib.org.uk/Customer+Services/en/General+Cross+Border+Information/UK+Reps.htm

huckster

The MIB may help with queries about accident claims on foreign soil.

http://www.mib.org.uk/Customer+Services/en/Accidents+Abroad/Default.htm

crafty_Blue

rs65 wrote: »

I thought green cards were a thing of the past. Did you not have European cover?

I'm sure a solicitor would take it on anyway.

I have european breakdown cover, travel insurance, but car ins. policy says 'this policy also provides the minimum cover you need by law to use your car in ..[France]

crafty_Blue

Quentin wrote: »

A green card is not required for France.

(They just confirm you have legal cover anyway for any third party damage yoi do, they do not give comprehensive cover, which you must buy yourself!)

so i've found out. So I have to pursue the other party for cost of my car - circa £7k market value !

Quentin

crafty_Blue wrote: »

....., but car ins. policy says 'this policy also provides the minimum cover you need by law to use your car in ..[France]

That's the "green card" cover!

crafty_Blue

Quentin wrote: »

That's the "green card" cover!

Appreciated, but with my car being a write-off, even though I have 3rd party, does that mean my insurerers won't pay out ? [I also have the other [French] guy's insurance which confirms his green card info]

Quentin

crafty_Blue wrote: »

Appreciated, but with my car being a write-off, even though I have 3rd party, does that mean my insurerers won't pay out ? [I also have the other [French] guy's insurance which confirms his green card info]

No, your own insurers won't be interested in this - they were only providing you with cover for any damage you might do to third parties whilst abroad. (You do need to report this to them, though).

peachyprice

Unless you paid for full cover or it's included in your policy for your trip to France you only have the legal minimum, which is 3rd party, which means you are only insured for any damage/injuries you cause to a 3rd party not for any damage to your car. So no, your insurers won't pay out.