Help needed - Reclaiming my excess

Hoof_Hearted

For my no-fault accident, my insurers paid me out less the excess. I phoned the third party's company (Aviva) and sent them a copy of the payout letter and they paid my excess shortly after. They seemed to think it was usual for my insurer not to claim the full amount from them and pay me in full. However, it wasn't a lot of bother.

Blueberries

As Dacouch suggested, I have phoned them exactly a week after sending the email.
After being transferred from department to department, someone spoke to the team dealing with my claim. He then told me that a cheque will be written, but he could not give me any timescale. He advised to contact my insurance if I did not receive the cheque in the next week or so.
However, I am not sure my insurance is going to help me with that, as they advised me to talk to the third party directly.

dacouch

Blueberries wrote: »

As Dacouch suggested, I have phoned them exactly a week after sending the email.
After being transferred from department to department, someone spoke to the team dealing with my claim. He then told me that a cheque will be written, but he could not give me any timescale. He advised to contact my insurance if I did not receive the cheque in the next week or so.
However, I am not sure my insurance is going to help me with that, as they advised me to talk to the third party directly.

They should send the cheque directly to you, ring them again in a week if you don't receive it.

Ask for the persons name at the start of the call and politely use their name as much as possible in the conversation.

Blueberries

Update: I received a call today from the third party's insurance, who informed me that they have raised the cheque. Will be sent for approval tomorrow and should be with me by the end of the week or beginning of next week.
Thanks to everyone for their help!

dacouch

Great news, it's nice when a poster updates their thread as it's helpful for anyone else in a similar situation who arrives here via google

When you receive the cheque, take a photocopy of the cheque and the accompanying letter. Then contact your Insurers and explain you've recovered your excess so want them to change the your file to show it as a non fault claim (Most Insurers will do this if you recover your excess).

Ask them who you send the copy of letter / cheque to and how you get the claim marked as non fault and also receive a refund of any extra premium paid due to the claim*. They should also reinstate your no claims bonus to what it would have been if the claim had never happened.

As before be polite with the person you speak to, it may be the customer services that can deal with this although some companies will want to get the claim closed off by their claims department and then the customer services dept will arrange the refunds.

*Note a lot of Insurers will still apply a load for a non fault claim although this tends to be less than the loading for a fault claim.

Blueberries

I am very pleased to report that I have received the cheque two days ago. I also called my insurance customer service department, and as you suggested Dacouch, they had to transfer me to Covea to have the claim closed. I now have to wait a few days, in order for their system to be updated and call again to discuss my no claim bonus and increased premium. This forum has been very helpful, and a real confidence booster. I did not think I could manage to do this on my own. Thanks to all, you have been amazing!

dacouch

Blueberries wrote: »

I am very pleased to report that I have received the cheque two days ago. I also called my insurance customer service department, and as you suggested Dacouch, they had to transfer me to Covea to have the claim closed. I now have to wait a few days, in order for their system to be updated and call again to discuss my no claim bonus and increased premium. This forum has been very helpful, and a real confidence booster. I did not think I could manage to do this on my own. Thanks to all, you have been amazing!

Great news and thanks for updating the thread.

Three weeks to get your excess back in your bank account from the date of sending the letter claiming it back is about average