Can someone help with accident & insurance?

dacouch

It depends what the letter actually says.

If the Insurer write the car off, they will certainly want the documents and keys.

Some Insurers like the documents and keys before they make an offer so they can just process it and send the money.

Does he intend to take their money and run or retain the salvage and get the car repaired himself (The Insurers will deduct the salvage value from the settlement if he does).

It's often cheaper for him to get the car repaired than the Insurers as a) The Insurers often get charged higher prices b) The Insurer normally uses brand new original manufacturers parts. A local garage can often use cheaper pattern parts and / or knock dents out of the existing panels and it has a massive effect on their costs.

Bev100_2

He hasn't had a letter from them yet. He was on the phone to them asking about the courtesy car when they asked him to send off everything.

BertTheRaccoon

Liability - he's at fault. Bottom line is he didn't see the other car so is in no position to comment on speed. Even being hit from the side whilst not expecting it at 20mph would feel like a hell of a blow and give an impression of the other car flying.

A court would conclude (on the basic facts stated on this thread) that he breached his duty of care by not checking properly.

If the other car could be in view from 600 yds away, even at 100mph a car is travelling at 44 metres a second, so it would take over 10 seconds for a car to cover that at 100mph. There's no way the other car was doing that speed, so it would have been in view for far longer. It's not worth trying to dispute any element of blame in my opinion.

As for the courtesy car thing, unless his policy guarantees one in any situation he may struggle as usually these are provided by the approved repairer of your insurer. They are only interested in letting their courtesy cars out if they get to repair some metal, so if the car seems an obvious total loss, they may not want to give him one, unless his policy stipulates he will get one 100%.

I hope he feels better soon though.

BertTheRaccoon

Bev100 wrote: »

He hasn't had a letter from them yet. He was on the phone to them asking about the courtesy car when they asked him to send off everything.

I would recommend taking copies of any documents before they are posted to the insurer and also send it recorded if he has to send the vehicle keys and make sure any policy or claim ref number is clearly stated on any letter. Insurers don't need any help at losing paperwork, they are useless.

notanewuser

They usually only ask for spare keys and V5s if they've written the car off.

If it has already been written off then he won't get a courtesy car.

Bev100_2

Thanks again for all the information. It's really useful to know what's involved. He's not going to dispute liability & as far as we know no decision has been made yet about writing off the car as they have not examined it nor sent him any paperwork. He's copied the docs this evening & will get them in the post tomorrow.
He is entitled to a courtesy car but even though it makes life difficult he hasn't pushed the issue too much as his confidence has taken a knock. From what's been said here, perhaps there's no point pursuing it if the car is likely to be written off anyway? If he did get one, how long would he have it for?
From what he's said, if the car is written off he'll probably try to get a replacement rather than trying to fix it but he might change his mind as his confidence returns. The whole thing has really shaken him.
Does anyone know how long everything will take?

happybiker

BertTheRaccoon wrote: »

I would recommend taking copies of any documents before they are posted to the insurer and also send it recorded if he has to send the vehicle keys and make sure any policy or claim ref number is clearly stated on any letter. Insurers don't need any help at losing paperwork, they are useless.

Do not send the complete V5c to the insurers . It is your uncles personal responsibility under law to notify change of ownership to DVLA. Fill it out as for change of keeper with the insurance company as the new keeper and send off the relevant parts of the document to DVLA and the insurance company. Your uncle will still be responsible for the vehicle until DVLA are informed officially and insurance companies can take ages to do this, thus rendering your uncle to be liable under SORN regulations etc.

Read section 9 of the V5c and follow the instructions

Bev100_2

Quick update. The car was written off & he got a reasonable offer without any trouble. He had all his evidence ready to post but didn't need it, apart from to recognise that the offer was a fair one, which was important. He has been looking for a replacement & seen a car he likes. It's still got manufacturer's finance on it so we're hoping it's cleared by the time he gets it next week. He's well again, just a small scar left to heal on his cheek & a false tooth to get fixed to help with eating. The hospital don't need to see him again. Thanks to everyone who helped - got us all through a stressful time. :T

dacouch

Don't forget to remove all personal items and the tax disc as this can be claimed back

forgotmyname

The claim will need to be declared for 5 years or so.

Exepect an increase, But you never know it may reduce it. Insurance rarely makes sense.