Car Insurance - no fault claim

iRoseBud

Hi
I was hit by a taxi driver from behind. He got out and started taking lots of pictures etc. There was passengers in the back. The driver was not very co operative with his details.

Anyway long story short. I don't want to log the claim with my insurance as there is no guarantee the other side will pay 100%.

I have spoken to his insurance company and they have said to email the details. have done twice but no response.

My insurance company is aware but not have logged the call as i told them i will pursue the other side. The call is logged with police. Have taken pictures and the site of the incident is also covered by CCTV. There are also witnesses who can be contacted by the police or insurance company.

Not sure what to do....there are claims companies who can do the chasing not sure about them. is it worth using Solicitors?

Any Advise

Quentin

The incident is now "logged" by your insurer and is on your record. Whatever the outcome, you need to declare this as part of your history when applying to new companies in future.

Liability sounds clear cut. Get in touch with the third party insurers and ask if they have an innocent third party claim department who will deal with this for you.

Vicmeldrew

Or how about don't get in touch with the third party insurers. Just let your own insurers sort it out.

Quentin

Vicmeldrew wrote: »

Or how about don't get in touch with the third party insurers. Just let your own insurers sort it out.

Apart from the OP not wanting to make a claim off their own insurer there are advantages in dealing with the third party insurer when there is no dispute on liability.

1) No excess to pay and then have to reclaim

2) No (temporary) loss of NCD pending the matter being concluded - this causes you hassle if your renewal becomes due whilst your NCD has been reduced.

3) Third party insurers will normally help with hire cars if needed, and it is easier to get to use your own choice of repairer (your own insurer may say that if you don't use their choice of repairer then you cannot have a courtesy car whilst yours is being repaired)

InsideInsurance

The only advantage of using your own insurer is the protection of the FOS which is probably most relevant if it is likely that your car is a total loss.

For repairs the chances of needing to escalate to the FOS is very remote and so I would follow Quentin's recommendation and claim directly from the TPI if possible.

Vicmeldrew

InsideInsurance wrote: »

The only advantage of using your own insurer is the protection of the FOS which is probably most relevant if it is likely that your car is a total loss.

For repairs the chances of needing to escalate to the FOS is very remote and so I would follow Quentin's recommendation and claim directly from the TPI if possible.

Or the 'not so cooperative' driver suddenly claims you reversed into him.


That would be enough for me to start thinking about using my own insurer.

Quentin

Vicmeldrew wrote: »

Or the 'not so cooperative' driver suddenly claims you reversed into him.


That would be enough for me to start thinking about using my own insurer.

First going to the third party insurer when liability appears clear cut doesn't preclude you from subsequently claiming off your own comprehensive policy if things don't run smoothly!

Vicmeldrew

It doesn't but if you're not familiar with disputed liability you could end up with a whole load of stress you don't need.

Quentin

Vicmeldrew wrote: »

It doesn't but if you're not familiar with disputed liability you could end up with a whole load of stress you don't need.

As previously posted, most insurers now have "innocent third party claims" departments who will try hard to accommodate innocent motorists involved with their insured. And if it turns out liability is disputed, then nothing is lost as you can still go to your own insurer and put in a claim.

Generally they reduce the hassle and stress you normally get when making a claim off your own insurer (excess to pay/ncd reduced/no replacement car provided etc).

And of course you only have that route if you don't have comprehensive cover!

InsideInsurance

Vicmeldrew wrote: »

Or the 'not so cooperative' driver suddenly claims you reversed into him.


That would be enough for me to start thinking about using my own insurer.

Generally the TPI will not agree to deal with you if there is any form of question over liability.

In all my years of claims handling I cant recall a single case where we instructed our garage to repair a TP's car, provide them with a hire car and then half way through the job new evidence came to light that meant we no longer felt our client was liable.