Advice needed! Car accident, disputed liablity and feeling conned!

Alex11392

My car was damaged in an accident last night. My insurers admiral have already declared it an insurance write off due to the low value of the car despite relatively minor damage. Liability is disputed but I want to fight it all the way as I was not at fault!

I recieved a phone call today where I was told that if I did not purchase a car within 7 days of today then my remaining insurance premium of approx £450 would be knocked off my settlement. If I purchase a car within 7 days I can continue to pay my premium monthly. I would also loose my excess of £400 from this too while liability is disputed. I haven't even recieved a valuation for my car yet, or a hire car, or had my car taken away yet. Considering my cars age/model etc I don't think I'm going to recieve a massive amount for it but I can't understand how they can reasonably expect me to buy a car when they haven't agreed a valuation with me or even given me any money. Are they expecting me to pluck a substantial sum of money out of thin air?? If I wait until I recieve my settlement there won't be anything left because admiral will have knocked so much money off so won't be able to afford a car anyway.

I feel so rushed into buying a car when it may well take longer than that to complete the sale and I want to make sure I'm getting a good deal. I also think they want me to accept their first settlement offer because they know I will have bought the car quickly so will need the money.

I feel like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place and don't know what to do next. I'm expecting a call from my insurers tomorrow to discuss the issue but I'm not sure they will budge.

Any advice gratefully recieved.

darkmatter101

It may help if you start by saying what car and model you have

Alex11392

It's a 2002 vauxhall corsa comfort. Done 107,000 miles and also frustratingly has nearly a full tank of petrol in it!

forgotmyname

Unless you paid specifically for the hire car option you wont get one as your car is not being repaired.

I have the same with my insurer. But i would just go out and buy a cheapy runaround anyway.

If liability is disputed then the claim could go on for a long time. Buy a cheapy off ebay even if you dont intend on driving it. That will preserve your insurance.

darkmatter101

You agreed with the terms and conditions of your insurance when you had taken it out for your vehicle. Maybe their policy states that you must purchase another car in 7 days. You also decided on the excess fee of £400. Gong by the blue book (typical market value insurers use) your car wouldn't fetch much more than the excess fee, if its in decent mechanical condition and body maybe £800. If not then scrap value at £300.

I suggest you quickly purchase another car within 7 days otherwise you may end up losing more money.

Now, what is your budget for purchasing a new car?

peter_the_piper

Relatively minor damage? If you like the car, take the value the insurance company offer and tell them you want to keep the car and get it repaired yourself.

Rambosmum

forgotmyname wrote: »

Unless you paid specifically for the hire car option you wont get one as your car is not being repaired.

I have the same with my insurer. But i would just go out and buy a cheapy runaround anyway.

If liability is disputed then the claim could go on for a long time. Buy a cheapy off ebay even if you dont intend on driving it. That will preserve your insurance.

Not true. Once liability is established as third party admiral give all non-fault claimants a hire car through their accident management company Albany Assist.

OP- Do you have legal cover? If you do you need to speak to them (admiral law in your case). I'm currently claiming through them and I'm claiming back the full tank of fuel I had in my car. Keep all receipts for any travel expenses occurred etc so you can claim those back once you've established liability.

The first thing you need to do is establish liability- draw pictures, use google street view, witnesses whatever you need to do this. Once liability is established Admiral become much nicer. As for buying the new car, start looking now. To delay them you can dispute the value they give you, if only to buy you time. If you have legal protection you can also claim back your excess, however if you can establish liability first then you won't have to.

Quentin

jenniwat001 wrote: »

Not true. Once liability is established as third party admiral give all non-fault claimants a hire car through their accident management company Albany Assist......

When you are the innocent party and there is a liable third party then you can hire your own car (assuming you need one) and include the cost in your claim for uninsured losses from the third party.


But as far as this incident goes it does look that liability is far from clear cut (were it otherwise admiral would already have passed it on to Albany!), so be sure you are blameless before going down this route.

InsideInsurance

jenniwat001 wrote: »

Not true. Once liability is established as third party admiral give all non-fault claimants a hire car through their accident management company Albany Assist.

Admiral doesnt give you anything, they sell your details to Albany who are a credit hire car company and accident management outfit.

Credit hire can only be claimed for a few days after settlement is paid for a total loss so the OP will still be in a similar position of having to get a replacement vehicle ASAP

Foxy-Stoat_3

OP, how much extra do you think it would cost you to insure a Toyota MR2 Roadster?

I have one in bits in my garage that you can insure for a few weeks to save your £450 and keep your insurance valid until you find another car. It has no engine, wheels, so there is no way it can be involved in an accident.

Just a thought...........

welfayre

darkmatter101 wrote: »

If not then scrap value at £300.

Maybe in your fantasy world.

I was offered between £100-130 for a 52 plate Corsa sxi in October.