letter from solicitors of other party / direct line insurance

lulululululu

Hi everyone.

I am looking for advice on how to deal with a solicitors letter because of vehicle insurer/ road accident.

Here is what is happening:

I own a vehicle. I was insured with Direct Line for a year until 9 aug 2013 . In may I had a minor accident on the road. I agreed orally that I was liable with the other driver and we exchanged details. I told my insurance, I agreed I was liable for hitting the car in front of me at very slow speed (was stuck in traffic) the damage was a bump on the left back door. This was my first accident ever so I didn't know I should not agree about this but there was no police or witness involved.

When I received a letter from Claimfast recoveries department (02-09-2013) saying that my insurance (Direct Line) have not settled the matter within an acceptable period of time. Unless they receive remittance for my insurers within 14 days Claimfast will instruct their solicitors to commence proceedings against me.

I got sound support and advice from this forum. I rang Direct Line and was told not to worry as they were dealing with the case. They said it often happen like this, the other party was trying to get more money than they should.
I heard nothing from them or anyone for months.

I received a letter (which I only read yesterday but dated 9th of January 2014) from the other party solicitors reading that they are acting for Claimfast and Mr (3rd party) "to pursue a claim for damages arising out of the above accident" (= £4082.89).

I couldn't yet speak to someone from Direct Line but I will try again until I do.

Can anyone help me with pointing out what I should do?

(note that I am currently insured elsewhere if that matters.)

www.flickr.com/photos/115789364@N02/12197563554/

PS:
This was a minor incident, I since learned how could the dent I made in the rear door of the 3rd party's vehicle be manded for less than £5. My speed was near to none as we were stuck in heavy traffic. This person and his solicitors are trying to make me pay for the repair cost of another vehicle (it spoke about it).
Again I have no knowledge in law, I have no solicitor, I'm struggling with a very low income. I could never pay that amount of money.

forgotmyname

Just pass it back to Direct Line.

The only thing to watch out for are genuine court papers. Not threats of court but genuine ones with a court stamp etc.

lulululululu

Ok thank you very much Forgotmyname.
I hope this will do because the whole truth is that I am homeless. I have been sleeping in my vehicle for the past 3.5 years. Due to a relationship breakdown I found myself in heavy depression and on the street. With the help of friends and the support of Crisis charity I overcame my depression and I am starting to get jobs again. However I am still homeless and struggling, I could never pay this money, this is more than twice what I made this year.
My other major worry is that the address I use for the official things one need to be able to work is my friend's address (bless her kindness). The last thing I want is that bailiffs come to her door because of me.

forgotmyname

If genuine court papers arrive then you need to push direct line into sorting it out.

chanz4

Claims fast are ambulance chasers so good on DL contesting

Crazy_Jamie

Ok thank you very much Forgotmyname.
I hope this will do because the whole truth is that I am homeless. I have been sleeping in my vehicle for the past 3.5 years. Due to a relationship breakdown I found myself in heavy depression and on the street. With the help of friends and the support of Crisis charity I overcame my depression and I am starting to get jobs again. However I am still homeless and struggling, I could never pay this money, this is more than twice what I made this year.
My other major worry is that the address I use for the official things one need to be able to work is my friend's address (bless her kindness). The last thing I want is that bailiffs come to her door because of me.

You shouldn't have anything to worry about. Direct Line have a statutory obligation to meet any judgment that is entered against you personally, and even in the unlikely event that Direct Line do not pay, the Claimant would almost certainly pursue Direct Line and not you. Just pass everything on to Direct Line and let them deal with it.

chanz4 wrote: »

Claims fast are ambulance chasers so good on DL contesting

Just because they are ambulance chasers it doesn't mean that the claim is not legitimate. The Claimant's choice of solicitors or claims management firm has no bearing in and of itself on whether or not the claim is well founded. It may well be that there are good reasons why the quantum of this claim should be contested, but the fact that Claimfast are involved is not one of them.

chanz4

No it doesnt, but I bet the hire car cost is whats banging it up.

Crazy_Jamie

chanz4 wrote: »

No it doesnt, but I bet the hire car cost is whats banging it up.

That's perfectly possible, but if that is the case we equally don't know to what extent the hire charges are legitimate and reasonable.