accept insurance offer.... and complain to ombudsman

wantoknow_2

Nodding_Donkey wrote: »

Three months? I take it there is a big difference in the valuations then?

Actualy it was going on since september 2013. They offered him £400 and increased it to £800 after a battle. He got an independent engineers valuation which says the market value is £1600, but the insurance company will not accept it as they say the engineer have not seen the car. 1. the car was burned and there was nothing to see; 2. the engineer used their detailed report to value the vechicle. Our engineer said that he was confident in his valuation, but if we want him to come out to see the car it would cost more as travel expences :-(

wantoknow_2

Aretnap wrote: »

Is the friend claiming from his own insurance company, or from the other driver's insurer (if there was another driver involved)?

His company as there ws no other driver involved

wantoknow_2

InsideInsurance wrote: »

And their insurer will reassure them that its all ok, if they do get a court claim form then simply forward it to them and they will respond and deal with it all for them.

As others have said, it is critical to know if this claim is made from their own insurance or the TP as the ombudsman only considers own insurance claims.

If its is their own, put a formal complaint about the valuation it and ask for a final response to it. If you still arent happy then you can take it to the ombudsman.

If it is the third party, what evidence has been submitted against their engineers report to justify a higher valuation? Have you commissioned your own engineers report? Ultimately the only resolution option is to go to court but remember that the court action must include all elements of the claim not just the vehicle damage.

It is his own insurance. they said on the phone they send us final responce 5 days ago but we have not received it yet. I think we will take it to ombudsman as the lady on the phone, who also send the letter said she was a final decision maker... :-(. But wanted to know if we can take the money and complain as it has been a long time and he needs to clear the debt he went into to get a replacement car

londonTiger

bigjl wrote: »

To get an idea on trade price for his car use Webuyanycar as it is free.

Just to make sure your friend hasn't overvalued his car.

Then print off as many adverts for similar cars as you can.

Unless you have already done so.

worst idea ever, webuyanycar are lowballers. They offered me £600 for my golf that is ususally advertised for £1500 and will probably swap hands at £1200.

Insurance is supposed to cover you for loss and damage and make you whole again. They should pay out what it will cost to get the same vehicle in similar conditions. You're never going to buy a car at trade price so why should insurance give you trade price?

InsideInsurance

wantoknow wrote: »

It is his own insurance. they said on the phone they send us final responce 5 days ago but we have not received it yet. I think we will take it to ombudsman as the lady on the phone, who also send the letter said she was a final decision maker... :-(. But wanted to know if we can take the money and complain as it has been a long time and he needs to clear the debt he went into to get a replacement car

He can ask for an interim payment rather than saying hes accepting it as final payment and then complain anyway

The Ombudsman will not take the complaint on until a) a final response has been received or b) 8 weeks has passed.

Also be aware how slow the ombudsman is. I raised a simple question to them and a week afterwards got an email back saying that I can expect a reply in another 3 weeks time. My last complaint took 9 months to be allocated to a complaint handler and a further 6 months for the initial adjudicators response.

wantoknow_2

InsideInsurance wrote: »

He can ask for an interim payment rather than saying hes accepting it as final payment and then complain anyway

The Ombudsman will not take the complaint on until a) a final response has been received or b) 8 weeks has passed.

Also be aware how slow the ombudsman is. I raised a simple question to them and a week afterwards got an email back saying that I can expect a reply in another 3 weeks time. My last complaint took 9 months to be allocated to a complaint handler and a further 6 months for the initial adjudicators response.

Could you tell me a bit more about innterim payment. When I searched net, its only about personal injury and court cases. Thank you

InsideInsurance

Its exactly the same basically, you put a formal complaint in and in the resolution area you state you want a cheque for their maximum offer which will be accepted as an interim payment if it doesnt meet the amount being asked for as you intend to escalate to the ombudsman but at least an interim payment allows you to become mobile again and so would reduce any ancillary claims for inconvenience/ loss of use etc caused by the protracted period for claims settlement.

nomoneytoday

What sort of car is it?

bob_a_builder

Useful reading here ...
LINK
Provided to me yesterday on here for a related query

Skulls

Please tell us make model and mileage.