Accident claim advice

strelitzia

A week ago, a van reversed into my car as i drove through a car park. The front wing was crushed, and possible a twist put into the bonnet. I contacted AA insurance, who passed me onto Hastings Direct who handle my policy.
As per there instructions, i took the car to the approved repair agent, who estimated the repair at £775. The insurance company have approved the repair, but i took the decision not to have the repair done until the third party admits liability. The reason for this decision, is that if the third party fails to admit liability, then i will have to pay £275 excess, lose a years ncb, and suffer a higher premium at renewal. If i do the repair myself, i can buy a new wing for £80 and get it painted for £60. This will mean a saving of £135, and no loss of ncb.

Having spoken to a colleague, it seems that he had a repair done at the same bodyshop as my insurance company wants me to use, and that it was less than satisfactory, requiring remedial work three times before he was happpy with the standard of repair.

Armed with this information i have instructed the insurance company that i do not wish to have the work carried out by the approved repairer, but would prefer it to be done by a bodyshop of my choice(subject to the third party admitting liability). They have therefore asked me to submit two seperate quotes for the repair.

My question therefore is, what happens if both of the quotes i submit are more expensive than the original quote from the approved repairer. Can the insurance company force me to use the approved repair centre, seek more quotes from backstreet garages, or simply refuse to do the repair?

Sorry it's so long winded. Thanks in advance for any info.

Regards
Steve

foxyuk

ok i used to be a claims handler......

you are NOT OBLIGED TO USE A RECOMENDED REPAIRER.

too be honest they cut corners because the rate they agree with the relevant garage is all based on time nothing else.

I suggest you go to a credit hire company i suggest

http://www.helphire.co.uk/


call your insurers and let them know that you want the claim marked as for INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY.

helphire will give you a choice of garages or you can choose, whilst in for repair you will get a courtesy car equivelent to your own and they chase up the 3 rd party insurers direct.

THERE IS NO RISK AS THEY WILL NOT TAKE YOU ON UNLESS ITS 100% NON FAULT.

they make money on the courtesy cars, handlling fees

anything else let me knowe or pm me...


you will not be out 1 penny!!

strelitzia

foxyuk wrote: »

THERE IS NO RISK AS THEY WILL NOT TAKE YOU ON UNLESS ITS 100% NON FAULT.

How do they decide if it's 100% non fault if there was no witnesses to the accident?
Surely it's my word against theirs....and as there was no visible damage to the bulky rear end of his transit tipper, i can't even prove that the back of his van hit my car!

Regards
Steve

mattymoo

Be very careful with Foxyuk's advice. There are circumstances where the other persons insurers will refuse to meet the hire bill in full. The hire company terms require you to meet the shortfall.
See this thread for info.
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=462013&highlight=gta
Key info is the ABI General Terms of Agreement for hire car firms. Not all adhere to this agreement.
As for your original query - if the 2 repair quotes come in over the cost of the recommended repairer, the insurers motor engineer will speak to them over the phone or possibly inspect the vehicle and negotiate an improved price. There are prescribed times (Thatcham times) for each type of repair, i.e. replace a wing, spray a bumper etc and the insurers will use these as the basis for their negotiation.

foxyuk

mattymoo wrote: »

Be very careful with Foxyuk's advice. There are circumstances where the other persons insurers will refuse to meet the hire bill in full. The hire company terms require you to meet the shortfall.
See this thread for info.
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=462013&highlight=gta
Key info is the ABI General Terms of Agreement for hire car firms. Not all adhere to this agreement.
As for your original query - if the 2 repair quotes come in over the cost of the recommended repairer, the insurers motor engineer will speak to them over the phone or possibly inspect the vehicle and negotiate an improved price. There are prescribed times (Thatcham times) for each type of repair, i.e. replace a wing, spray a bumper etc and the insurers will use these as the basis for their negotiation.

hi that case is very extreme......... more details would have to be looked at... length of hire? why so long

its all about choosing a reputable credit hire company..... years ago they used to put third parties in better cars than the damaged one...not any more...

credit hire companies also need to mitigate there losses to third party insurers asap

for the level of repair that is in question its doubtful of problem...

here are the current rates credit hirers are allowed to charge...

http://www.abi.org.uk/TPHire/

foxyuk

strelitzia wrote: »

How do they decide if it's 100% non fault if there was no witnesses to the accident?
Surely it's my word against theirs....and as there was no visible damage to the bulky rear end of his transit tipper, i can't even prove that the back of his van hit my car!

Regards
Steve

you will contact ie helphire whom will take all your details ....and the third party details that you have....

they will ask for circustances and all details and they will contact the third party. and there insurers once supplied...

if they deem there is no admittance of liabilty etc they will not act on your behalf...

All you can do is make the call and ask....


anyone in tyour car at time?


the problem with going through your own insurance is when it comes to renewal it probably wont be resolved and you will lose your ncd life ubtil settled on your behalf if and when.......

personally make the call

strelitzia

There was only my ten year old son and myself in the car at the time of the incident.

foxyuk

strelitzia wrote: »

There was only my ten year old son and myself in the car at the time of the incident.

did the other driver pass you his details? what have you got?
any damage to other vehicle?
how long from the moment you got his details then you and him left?

strelitzia

foxyuk wrote: »

did the other driver pass you his details? what have you got?
any damage to other vehicle?
how long from the moment you got his details then you and him left?

Got his name, company address, phone no, reg no. No damage that i could see to his vehicle..it was a transit tipper and the back of those things are pretty tough! Left within a few minutes of getting his details.

foxyuk

i would contact his work and find out if he has reported the claim to his work... or if big company ask for transport manager....

you may well find that they may even deal with the claim direct ...with commercial insurance with 1 claim there renewal can increase dramatically...

credit hire company can call them if you are not prepared to..


also your passenger is classed as a witness

sent you a PRIVATE MESSAGE