Car Ins: Anyone had other parties insurer offer to settle?

Tampopo

Hi

I have been driving 23 years without an accident and a newly qualified driver bumped in to me when I was on a roundabout and she was entering it. At the scene she admitted liability etc and of course changed her mind when we emailed her the costs from the garage.

Her insurer Diamond have offered me a 'without prejudice' settlement where they pay for the work to be done at the bodyshop I have chosen and supply me with a rental car for the duration.

I've tried in vain to contact my insurance Octagon to get their opinion (one look at the threads on this website should have warned me!). I want to know is this a good deal or is it too good to be true?

Any advice appreciated, thanks!

BertTheRaccoon

I won't comment on the situation of your own insurers, other than to say you should notify them of the incident "for information purposes", so that they have a record incase she decides to try her luck alleging you reversed into her or that you rolled back etc. This just helps to stop her causing any mischief with your own insurers.

The situation of her insurers offering to deal with you on a "without prejudice" basis suggests to me that out of the 2 versions of events, they prefer your account and realise that if they stand behind her and resist your claim, they will get hosed down at court for loads more costs.

As they don't have her consent to admit liability, this is the next best thing they can do to deal with you and keep the costs under control.

Just let them sort you out directly and make sure you give your insurers the necessary information to fend off any silly business from her.

Tampopo

My insurers do know, I notified them within their required 24hours, but now no-one is answering my calls!!

Thanks for the info though, very helpful.
)

McKneff

As long as your insurers know about the incident and that you are dealing directly with the other party that is fine.

It is by far the easiest way to deal with it. Quick and easy.

You take your car to the garage.
Garage emails ins. co. with quote
You take your car in for repair
You pick your car up after repair
Ins. co. pay the garage.
Brilliant.

InsideInsurance

Tampopo wrote: »

I want to know is this a good deal or is it too good to be true?

It is normal practice.

If an insurer believes their client is at fault they will often try to "capture" the third party and control the claim.

Look simply at the hire car costs.... Diamond probably pay something around £10 a day for a corsa, credit hire can charge up to £30.28 http://apps.abi.org.uk/tphire/SupportingDocuments/GTA%20Car%20rates%20wef%201%20%207%20%2011%20updated%2012%206%2012.doc

You can also be sure they are more on top of what car you get, when you get it and when it has to go back -v- credit hire who are keen to let things run on a few more days etc

Certainly those from an insurer background will think that the TPI will treat you relatively fairly (though you have no FOS backup) because the cost of you going to credit hire, no win no fee solicitors etc if youre not happy massively outweighs the cost giving you a slightly higher group hire car etc.

molerat

When I had a claim I saw the paperwork in the repair shop. The repairer was working for less than a local garage would charge and they had to supply the loan car in that price, around £800. Big savings compared to my son's claim that went through a claims management company where a fairly simple claim of around the same amount added up to around £4k.

Tampopo

Thanks for all your responses. Feel more confident about going ahead now. You are all wonderful :A