Help, I think someone is trying to extort money from me by saying I hit their car

GeorgeDawes_2

Thanks folks for the good advice. I won't send the letter.

The problem I have though, is that it's unacceptable to act in a friendly way to a neighbour (or anybody!) and then try to spuriously claim on their insurance. I need to make him feel a deep sense of regret and remorse - he needs to learn that this is unacceptable behaviour. It's like with children - he needs to be disciplined so that he doesn't try to do this to anybody else.

How do I do this within legal parameters?

AdrianC

GeorgeDawes wrote: »

I need to make him feel a deep sense of regret and remorse - he needs to learn that this is unacceptable behaviour.

No, YOU don't. He is Somebody Else's Problem.

Ever heard the old "Serentiy prayer"...?
Grant me the strength to change the things I can change, the serenity to accept the things I can't change, and the wisdom to know the difference.

JustinR1979

GeorgeDawes wrote: »

Thanks folks for the good advice. I won't send the letter.

The problem I have though, is that it's unacceptable to act in a friendly way to a neighbour (or anybody!) and then try to spuriously claim on their insurance. I need to make him feel a deep sense of regret and remorse - he needs to learn that this is unacceptable behaviour. It's like with children - he needs to be disciplined so that he doesn't try to do this to anybody else.

How do I do this within legal parameters?

By not rising to it or entertaining him with taking it seriously.

DCFC79

Keep us updated with any response he comes back with.

robatwork

Have you taken pictures of your car and his?

Once done, I would knock on his flat and politely ask him to show you the damage to the vehicles.

Something doesn't add up here.....

GeorgeDawes_2

Well, I thought it was all done and dusted folks.

But no.

Yesterday I received a call from my insurers. The claimant has claimed on his own insurance and they are now trying to get the money back from my insurers. He decided to make the claim within the last month apparently, even though the "incident" (there was none) supposedly happened in September. His insurer did no investigation and have paid him 500 pounds.

I have a recording of him trying to get me to pay out privately for the costs, I also took extensive photographs at 4am and 7am on the morning following the 'event' and have sent that to my insurers. They said that usually there is not so much documentary evidence which is in my favour.

I don't know whether or not he has independent witnesses but it wouldn't surprise me if he's persuaded one or two because people hate me in this street. But the insurers say that he has also tried to make a claim on the same day as the alleged incident with a company vehicle and a totally different driver.

I have told my insurer that I am happy to go to court to have him prosecuted for insurance fraud. They said that they may refer the case to the body who deals with such things.

When I asked my insurers whether they thought the claimant might take it to court, they said that his insurers would probably not due to the amount of damage caused, that there were no injuries etc, and that to challenge it they would need to pay at least £3,000. What worries me then, is that my insurers wouldn't go to court over it either because it's cheaper to settle than to challenge... thoughts?

Strider590

GeorgeDawes wrote: »

What worries me then, is that my insurers wouldn't go to court over it either because it's cheaper to settle than to challenge... thoughts?

Then you know what will happen.
Either they pay up and you take a hit on your insurance OR they keep the claim open and you loose your NCB at your next renewal, because any open claim freezes some or all of your NCB.

redux

Has the other car actually had any work done?

home_bird

I was taken to court when someone ran into me at a roundabout.

Even though the other driver ran into me and my damage was at the passenger door on the driver's side, I was willing to accept 50/50 as there were no independent witnesses and to get it over and done with. However, she took me to court on the basis that I had said at the time (I did) "Sorry, I didn't see you".

I had legal cover and was provided with legal representation and won:j. Bullies don't win. It's the evidence that's important.

It's quite an informal procedure, there is just one judge, you (and your companions, if any) and your legal reps. Good luck.

sh0597

I don't know if it's possible, but would it be possible for the OP to simply ask his insurer to let him deal with the claim? Hence not losing his NCB.