Third party insurance claim advice

MandieG

Hi,
I would like some advice please. A gentleman crashed into the back of my car whilst I was stationary at a junction on Sunday 2nd August. He immediately admitted liability and we swapped details. His insurance company (Prudential) telephoned me first thing in the morning and were very efficient in arranging to have my car collected and taken to a garage on Tuesday 4th August, and arranging a courtesy car. I also called my insurance company for notification only as the other insurance company had already arranged everything. Since then everything has taken a really long time and I have spent a lot of time and phone usage in chasing both the garage and the insurance company for information about what is happening with my car. I was finally told by the garage on the 18th August that my car had been deemed a total loss (Category C), and that I would need to speak with the estimator at the insurance company about what happens next. Again after effort on my part in chasing I finally got to speak with the estimator on Friday 21st August. We had a lengthy conversation about the state of the car and how the car will be valued, with me putting my case across about how much I will need to replace my car pretty much like for like (approx £1500+ according to Autotrader adverts for my area). The stimator told me that it wouldn't be anywhere near that amount but that he would finalise the figures and get back to me by the end of the day. He didn't come back to me. Once again I had to chase the insurance company on Monday lunchtime (24th Aug) and was told that they would make sure that someone called me back. I still haven't heard back from anyone and am getting really fustrated.
I have been looking at cars in the meantime, searching for small automatics approx same year & mileage as mine so that it is a like for like replacement which will cost in excess of £1500. I am really worried that the insurance company will offer me a low amount leaving me unable to replace my car with a 'decent' one. The accident was not my fault and I had no intention of changing my car, and now find myself in this position and can't be out of pocket. I have done some research and am now aware that I cannot take the case to the Financial Ombudsman as it is a third party claim, my insurance company won't get involved at this stage as it has already progressed with the other insurance company. I feel trapped by this insurance company not getting back to me so that I can get on with finalising things, and possibly having to accept an offer which I might feel is not enough to replace my car, and with no-where to go for assistance. I would also like them to take into consideration the time frame, stress, fustration, the amount of time and effort and phone usage that i have had to spend on this (more than I have already mentioned as I had issues with the courtesy car and had to sort that out). My car had a full MOT and I had paid for the servicing not that long ago too.
Has anyone had experience of a third party claim or any tips/advice on what to do? I can chase them again tomorrow morning but shouldn't have to surely?
Thanks

Quentin

Don't go by the autotrader ads you have seen as the "market value" (which is the valuation you should receive).


Asking prices aren't what you pay - they have an element built in so that the seller can do a "discount".


Also don't expect extra over and above its market value because of the recent service and MOT.


If you can substantiate your phone costs then ask for these as a separate item, and worth asking for a nominal sum to cover your inconvenience, though compensation for stress and frustration is unlikely!


When you have found your replacement check with your insurer before buying it that it is acceptable to them (otherwise if they don't like it you will have to cancel your current policy and get a new one elsewhere with all the expense that will involve.


Assuming you still have the replacement car supplied by the third party, then bear in mind they will want it back shortly after you get the cheque - so use this time you have to find your new car, and don't stress about them taking more time to finalise this for you.

InsideInsurance

I guess the return key on your computer/phone also broke in the accident?

Make sure they are aware of all the fact, eg the recent service/MOT and offer to provide copies of evidence for this etc

Things like phone calls will be a separate head of claim, when you get your phone bill just write them a letter/email saying you wish to claim £X for your phonecalls and provide a copy of the bill highlighting the calls to their number(s).

Whilst you cannot escalate to the FOS their guidance on vehicle valuation is still worth looking at http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/publications/technical_notes/motor-valuation.html

super_a4

I had an accident about 2 years ago, it took about this long for my insurance to gather everything that they needed to complete the claim. I was not at fault. The driver's insurance offered me a settlement right at the start but the accident caused me to be off work for about 6 months. I work for NHS as a Nurse and had a limited company at the same time as I was working extra job too. ANyway, I just recently received a response to my insurance initial statement stating my losses etc from the third party and I was shocked because the offer is ridiculously low. Is this normal. I lost around 17,000 for not working for 6 months and they are just offering a month salary which is 2000 and the other losses, they stated their reason why they can not grant me all the losses. Is this quite normal? Please advise. This is my first time to make a claim. My slolicitor that was provided through my insurance is very passive, can't get help from him.

Thanks

FutureGirl

Ask your solicitor why they're only offering one month. You would have to provide proof that you were out of pocket by £17K in loss of earnings.