non return of excess

stefanielou

Hi I'm wondering if anyone could offer me some advice. In April 2014 I Was involved in a non fault accident. My car was repaired and I paid the 250 excess to get it back. It is now over a year later and I still haven't had it back. The solicitors who are are dealing with it also handled my personal injury claim which was settled months ago. I have had numerous phone calls to the solicitors and I have now started e mailing so I have a record of correspondence. I've now sent 2 email asking for the name of the defendant's insurer but I've had no reply. Is it normal to take this long? Please help if you can!

dacouch

Generally the solictors dealing with your injury claim are only interested in dealing with the injury claim as this is what they receive their fees for.

It's normally quote easy and surprisingly quick to recover the excess yourself and only normally needs one letter.

Do you know who the other person was insured with?

Do you still have an receipt for your excess?

stefanielou

Hi
Yes I still have the receipts. I've been asking my insurance company for a while now for the details of he defendant's insurer sand solicitors but they're not being very forthcoming with the information. I think it might be A I G. I'm just becoming increasingly frustrated. .. it's my money! Thanks for your help!

dacouch

If you know any of the other person's details eg policy number or reg number or failing that name and address.

The date of the accident is handy too.

You then just write a letter to their Insurer requesting they refund your excess and state the reason why they liable eg their customer hit you in the rear.

Enclose a copy of the receipt and if you've given enough details for them to identify their driver you should receive your excess back about 2 to 3 weeks later.

Here's a link to someone else we helped who was in a similar situation

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5173701

stefanielou

I've just found all the details the driver gave me at the time. I've found the invoice for the excess but I can't find the receipt. .. I think I sent it to my solicitor buy I'm sure I should have a copy somewhere. If I can't find it is it still worth writing? thanks again
stefanie

dacouch

A letter from your own Insurers confirming you paid an excess will be acceptable.

Ring them and ask them to issue you a letter

stefanielou

Thank you so much for your help
stefanie

OnanTheBarbarian

The solicitors dealing with the PI claim should also have recovered the excess, especially if you had provided them with the documentary evidence to prove it (the excess receipt).

Although this will be well worthy of a complaint to them and the possible involvement of the legal Ombudsman if not sorted, it probably will be quicker in the circumstances to follow thw advice of dachouch above.

If the third party insurers pull a stunt here and say the excess should have been included with your personal injury claim and that it was "full & final settlement" then you will have to issue a complaint to the solicitors who acted for you.