Car accident -query-first ever accident

mutley74

Today I was driving along a busy residential road and a taxi driver pulls out at same time as I pass his junction.
my car was damaged on front drivers side and my car was pushed to the side of the road. All family in the car are in total shock. no injury to anyone.

He - taxi driver admitted fault. his car was only minor as he could drive away. Damage to my car was extensive around wheel trim so I could not steer car if I tried.

accident recovery called via my insurer Esure.
Esure put me through to a 3rd party accident company to organise a hire car.
so 2 hours of phone calls later and no car....
what else do I need to do now?

I have suffered loss from shock, lost time etc
what should I be claiming for telling insurer? All my afternoon work plans ruined; I work for my own company so could not work in the afternoon, so how do I claim for lost wages and for shock to my family? Also have no car to get out this evening.

any help welcome as its my first accident in 20 years of driving!

smashingyour...

You can only claim for actual loss.

You will need to evidence your loss of earnings for today.


As for tonight get a taxi if you don't have access to another car. Get a receipt and claim it back.

InsideInsurance

All what you are describing - loss of earnings, personal injury (shock), loss of use etc are uninsured losses and need to be claimed from the third party/ their insurers.

If you have legal expenses cover on your car insurance then esure will appoint a company to do these things for you. If you dont then you'll either have to do it yourself or pay a solicitor to do it. On the basis of what you say it sounds like it will stay well within the limit of the small track and so no win, no fee type outfits wont be interested as solicitors fees are not recoverable.

Ultimately it is not hard to do yourself, you write a letter stating what you wish to claim for, how much you wish to claim and any documentary evidence to support the claim (eg taxis receipts, tax returns, bank statements etc)

Being realistic, "shock" or half a days LoE is hardly going to be worth the effort of claiming.

facade

Be careful running up bills for taxis etc., if the other insurer doesn't accept liability, you won't get the money back.
Stick to things that your own insurance authorise.

mutley74

So far insurer has approved a courtesy car for me, but any recoverable costs I could be liable for. I do have comprehensive policy and legal cover.
The taxi driver was a young lad who admitted at the time liability to me, but I got the impression he wanted to settle privately, till I said we need to exchange insurance details. he did say he would call later, so far no call. I am concerned that he is going to change his story.

I have lost 1/2 day earning so far -its actually my employer (my own ltd co) earning which I freelance for.
wasted my whole afternoon on the phone to insurer then the accident claims company they employed to provide courtesy car etc.

Strider590

Other insurer will (very likely) come back denying blame, this is normal, try not to get mad about it, just go through the process, don't get emotional in your accident description (because you'll make mistakes and inconsistencies) and you'll be fine.

Quentin

mutley74 wrote: »

So far insurer has approved a courtesy car for me, but any recoverable costs I could be liable for. I do have comprehensive policy and legal cover.
The taxi driver was a young lad who admitted at the time liability to me, but I got the impression he wanted to settle privately, till I said we need to exchange insurance details. he did say he would call later, so far no call. I am concerned that he is going to change his story.....

Don't you mean "Unrecoverable" costs will be down to you?

Take care over this until liability is established. (The third party's admission of guilt at the scene will not count for anything!)

arcon5

Anybody envisage a car full of whiplash claims being submitted soon ?!

mutley74

luckily other party has admitted fault, and I have been issued a courtesy car whilst my car gets fixed.
is it worth me claiming 1/2 lost wages from visiting clients and a taxi receipt? I work for my own Ltd company, so what proof do I need to give them?

smashingyour...

mutley74 wrote: »

luckily other party has admitted fault, and I have been issued a courtesy car whilst my car gets fixed.
is it worth me claiming 1/2 lost wages from visiting clients and a taxi receipt? I work for my own Ltd company, so what proof do I need to give them?

I told you in #2.

mutley74

smashingyour... wrote: »

I told you in #2.

I just called insurer..they said they need my accountant to write letter for me detailing loss.
will I eventually have to submit tax returns etc....as I like to keep all that info confidential.