False Car Claim

theplastickid

Hi guys I had an incident a month ago where a driver on a hill rolled backwards into mine. His tow bar cracked the front of my car and his car had no damage.

I have now received a letter from my insurer claiming this driver is claiming I hit him and caused £1000 worth of damage!

I have photographic evidence from the scene but the guy handling my claim didn't seem to be too helpful.

The guy in the car sat in his car for about 2 minutes before getting out and accusing me at the scene. I am starting to think this was now done deliberately.

Who can I turn to, because this is an obvious case of fraud.

Sgt_Pepper_2

Can you prove he rolled back into you?

If not its going to be a case of your word against his.

theplastickid

I can not no. But he is claiming £1000 worth of damage and I have lots of very good photos showing no damage.

I understand it is my word against his but my question is... if he comes off successful is there any means in which for me to appeal?

Sgt_Pepper_2

theplastickid wrote: »

I can not no. But he is claiming £1000 worth of damage and I have lots of very good photos showing no damage.

I understand it is my word against his but my question is... if he comes off successful is there any means in which for me to appeal?

What was the towbar attached to, did you get photos underneath?

No doubt the personal injury claim will follow.

theplastickid

I did get photos of the tow bar there was literally NO DAMAGE. I took photos of the underneath of the vehicle as well again... no damage...

There surely must be measures in place to protect people from this kind of fraud.

forgotmyname

If you can not prove he did it then the insurance will have to look at the statement from each side and decide.

Was it on a steep hill?

Without proof it may be seen to be your fault or go 50/50.

You can appeal to your insurance, But they wont want to keep dragging it out. It will cost them even more to goto court.

I was in a lorry and some idiot squeezed up the inside and got caught on handle. Ripped through his rear panel.
I was straddling both lanes for the turn ahead. He claimed i was not. Then his story changed to i was 2 feet or so over the line.
His N/S wheels were butted to the kerb, I think he managed to squeeze up before i noticed and kerbed the wheels so pulled tried to move away a fraction. But either noticed the handle or actually made contact.
This was in my blind spot.

So i pulled forward literally inches and whats that noise. I get out to check and there he is wedged by the handle stuck into his wing.

It almost went to court but in the end it didnt. Its not in the insurance companies interest to goto court. Its expensive.

Did you check his chassis rails the towbar was bolted to? A photo probably wont show a buckled rail.

theplastickid

Yes took photos of underneath it is all bolted as I said ZERO damage he still had the plastic cap on his tow bar undamaged and intact...

maninthestreet

Foward on copies of the photos show no damage to your insurer.

colino

Sorry, if you have no substantive, independent witnesses your insurers are going to take the path of least resistance, you ran in to him. Incidentally I doubt if your pictures would show movement of the fixings or brackets or damage to the wiring so they're going to toss them out too.
Welcome to the world of cheap, until you need it, car insurance.

Strider590

Problem you have here, is its quite common for some people to stop too close behind when in up hill traffic. The inattentive driver, sat on the brake pedal is likely to roll back a little.