Hit from behind - opinions please

Strider590

Lum wrote: »

I wouldn't go through my own insurance for this. I've been badly screwed over by this in the past, with an apparently simple case (someone drive into the back of me while I was stopped at a give way line) dragging on for 2 1/2 years after a cheque went missing in the post and was cashed by an opportunist. This turned into a stand-off between the two insurance companies and the garage with each side accusing the others of double dipping.

In the meantime, my no claims bonus went away and at the time the NCB was worth more than the cost of the repairs, so I ended up paying for the repairs myself and not seeing the money back for another two years... with no interest.

Sounds familiar.............. The stupid cow that drove into my car, it went 100% in my favour, but they dragged it out for so long that I might as well have gotten out of my car and said "thank you for driving into me, here's a cheque for £1000".

neilmcl

w50nky wrote: »

Thank you for you replies. Have had to claim In the past for a similar incident so I am familiar with the claims process.

I quite liked the idea of using third parties insurance but have not met anyone who has gone down this route before so was just asking opinions. Was trying to avoid having having to claim via own insurers to avoid any future loadings/penalties that may be incurred (if any).

The scare stories regarding payment by the TPI after they received large claims for car hire by Albany that were rejected by the TPI which then becoming liable for payment by the claimant is what puts me off this route. I was looking for any positive feedback as it were.

I've claimed from a TPI before without any issues at all, and would definitely recommend it if you get the option. In fact, in my instance it was the TPI that contacted me after I had began to go down the accident management co. route. The car was repaired in the garage of my choice and a like-for-like (in fact a better spec) courtesy car was supplied.

w50nky

Strider590 wrote: »

What garage did you go to???

No body shop is going recommend Albany, you either went to a dealership or you went to an insurance repair centre/company. In which case that £1000-£1200 is approximately 3x higher than it should be.

Spot on, main dealership. Car will need rear plastic bumper and repair/paint to tailgate and quarter panel, plus carrier for bumper. Then I imagine they wil find other stuff once bumper removed for proper look?.......

w50nky

Anyway, OH has decided to inform her insurance company this morning. They took all detail and then passed us over to.....Albany.

They are really wanting us to take the courtesy car even though I explained it may not be required.

I will keep you posted as things unfold if anyone is interested.

Thanks for all who replied.

Surbybird

w50nky wrote: »

Thank you for you replies. Have had to claim In the past for a similar incident so I am familiar with the claims process.

I quite liked the idea of using third parties insurance but have not met anyone who has gone down this route before so was just asking opinions. Was trying to avoid having having to claim via own insurers to avoid any future loadings/penalties that may be incurred (if any).

The scare stories regarding payment by the TPI after they received large claims for car hire by Albany that were rejected by the TPI which then becoming liable for payment by the claimant is what puts me off this route. I was looking for any positive feedback as it were.

Someone ran into the back of my car at a roundabout about a year ago. I got her details, took pictures and despite her reluctance to give me her insurance details, I paid the money and got them from the AskMID database. She was insured with Admiral so I rang my insurers, notified them of what had happened and said I'd deal direct with the TP insurer. My insurers were happy with that.

I rang Admiral the next day, gave them the details and found that she hadn't told them what had happened. They rang her to confirm my story and within half an hour had rung me back to arrange to get my car repaired. I was offered a courtesy car but declined it because I didn't need one (I work at home and my daughters have cars that I can use). I had my car collected, repaired and delivered back within a week.

I am aware that I may just have been lucky, but it was an easy experience. I have had cause to deal with Albany in the past and they allowed the incident to drag on for 14 months so be wary of getting entangled with them!

K

hollie.weimeraner

What you need to be careful with Albany is that the "hire car" they provide you with may well be under a credit hire agreement. If you accept this resolution you need to remember that you could well end up paying the inflated car hire fees as the 3rd party insurers will ask you to justify the car hire.

My advice would be to arrang the repairs via the 3rd party insurer if possible and ask them to provide a "courtesy" car whilst yours is in the garage.

Alternatively go through your own insurers who should deal with everything but if you are offered a car make sure it is actually a courtesy car and not a credit hire agreement.

If you search google for credit hire you'll find loads of horror stories.

w50nky

Tried contacting TPI and was asked to email details which we did. After no response for 2 days have reported to our insurers who passed us on to Albany. Hopefully will not need a courtesy car if repairs can be completed within 3/4 days or so.

Lum

With the credit hire places, some of them will sell you insurance that covers you for the hire costs if the other insurer doesn't pay out. With Helphire, for example, this costs a tenner.

It's probably worth taking it out, though annoying that you have to.

w50nky

Strider590 wrote: »

Sounds familiar.............. The stupid cow that drove into my car, it went 100% in my favour, but they dragged it out for so long that I might as well have gotten out of my car and said "thank you for driving into me, here's a cheque for £1000".

Probably only take cash!;)