Non Fault Accident Today - Help

bagand96

I had a non fault accident today. I was stationary at the back of a queue of traffic, when a driver hit me from behind at some speed. I hit the car in front, and that car hit the one in front of her.

The Police atteneded and we all swapped details. I've never been involved in an accident before so would appreciate some help.

Police called a recovery company who came to take my car (its not driveable). The recovery driver passed my details on to someone who then called me a few minutes later. This was some sort of non fault accident mamagement company. It was all a bit of a blur but I passed my details to him, then a woman called later on and left a message about arranging a hire car.

When i gt home I called my insurance company - Admiral. They took all my details and the accident etc. At the end the gy said I had two choices. To claim through my insurance, which may affect my no claims and need me to pay my excess. Or to use their "non fault" option with no cost to myself.

I went for the non fault option (seeing as I was not at fault). But it seems that just involves another claim management company - Albany Assistance. Who are also going to call back with reference to a hire car. I've googled Albany Assistance and there are some horror stories.

I don't know what to do, I feel quite lost. My car is in a bad way. But it seems I now have two Accident Management companies touting for my business, one via the recovery company, and other via Admiral.

I'm guessing I'll have a few calls tomorrow to deal with from all these people wanting to get my business. But do i really want these accident management companies involved? I know nothing about it but it just seems to add another bunch into the mix (who will want their cut).

I was at no fault. Can't I just deal with Admiral? I do need a hire car. Or do I need to get the details of the insrance company of the guy that hit me and contact them? I have his details but not his insurer at the moment.

Cheers

neilmcl

bagand96 wrote: »

Or do I need to get the details of the insrance company of the guy that hit me and contact them? I have his details but not his insurer at the moment.

Cheers

This is the better option.

bagand96

This is the better option.

Thanks. Will they arrange a hire car? I assume this all depends on the other driver having contacted his insurance and admitting liability?

closed

You would normally just deal with your insurance company, provide details of what happened, and read the policy to see what it covers

Even if it is registered as a non-fault accident, your premiums are likely to rise as a result in future.

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-1692116/Beware-the-car-insurance-courtesy-car-trap.html

bagand96

I'llcall admiral tomorrow and ask for some clarification. If I use this Albany assistance lot it seems I have to sign a hire finance agreement for the hire car. Which I may have to stump for if there are problems later down the line!

I don't see why my insurer are trying to pass me off to these.

closed

referral fees.

Strider590

bagand96 wrote: »

To claim through my insurance, which may affect my no claims and need me to pay my excess. Or to use their "non fault" option with no cost to myself.

This is a lie, your premium will still rise next year and for up to 5 following years, because your statistically more likely to have another accident.

bagand96

closed wrote: »

You would normally just deal with your insurance company, provide details of what happened, and read the policy to see what it covers

Even if it is registered as a non-fault accident, your premiums are likely to rise as a result in future.

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-1692116/Beware-the-car-insurance-courtesy-car-trap.html

If I deal only with my insurer, will I have to pay my excess? And if so is there anyway to get that back?

Yolina

bagand96 wrote: »

If I deal only with my insurer, will I have to pay my excess? And if so is there anyway to get that back?

You will have to pay the excess, but they will refund it once they get the money from the other insurer (which could be very quick or take some time depending on how straightforward or not things are)

Quentin

bagand96 wrote: »

If I deal only with my insurer, will I have to pay my excess? And if so is there anyway to get that back?

The other main issue (apart from the excess one) over making a claim off your own policy is that many insurers (temporarily) reduce your NCD (if unprotected) pending reimbursement of all their costs by the third party.

This can cause a big problem if your renewal comes due whilst your NCD has been reduced. (Higher premium from your own insurer - pending the reinstatement of the NCD - or difficulty getting a new insurer to agree to refund premium should your NCD get reinstated during the course of the policy)

bagand96

Quentin wrote: »

The other main issue (apart from the excess one) over making a claim off your own policy is that many insurers (temporarily) reduce your NCD (if unprotected) pending reimbursement of all their costs by the third party.

This can cause a big problem if your renewal comes due whilst your NCD has been reduced. (Higher premium from your own insurer - pending the reinstatement of the NCD - or difficulty getting a new insurer to agree to refund premium should your NCD get reinstated during the course of the policy)

Fortunately my NCD is protected and my renewal isn't until October 2013.

Still not sure what to do for the best.