4 weeks heard nothing? is normal?

shane1104

Hi all,
I had a minor car park bump about a month ago now, nothing major, minor scuffs to my vehicle and small paint exchange to 3rd party car. As i couldn't locate the owner at the time, i left a note with details and rather than calling me he/she called the police to report me as "leaving the scene of an accident" luckily enough I'd already called the police myself and reported the accident and gave both my reg, and the 3rd party reg. The next day i got a call from my insurance (Tesco) stating he's making a claim, i accepted liability but argued that i wasn't going to pay for the damage already on the 3rd party car (looked like he'd crashed into a tree or something as there was all green dew on his passenger wing with the arch all crumpled, and there's no way i caused that much damage compared to the scuff on my GREY car) Tesco accepted the photos, and said they will see what the bill is for the repairs, i stated im happy with less than £200 as he'll need a bumper respray more than likely.
i have yet heard nothing back via: Phone, Email nor post. is it usual for it to be this long? should i call them?
I've read stories about companies processing claims when there is an argument involved?

Quentin

It does take months rather than weeks to conclude any claim when insurers are involved


Don't lose too much sleep over this - you and your insurer accept liability.


Whatever the final cost won't affect you - the outcome will be the same as far as your future premiums are concerned irrespective of the cost.


And if the innocent third party does get a bit extra done it only goes towards compensating him for the hassle you have caused him, not to mention him having a claim on his record to now disclose to future insurers despite being totally innocent and not even in his car at the time!!

shane1104

i have forwarded an offer to cover the costs personally, which has gone unanswered. I even got the quote for it at £165 at an approved garage. Which will be more than his excess

tberry6686

The third party won't have an excess to pay as it is your insurer that is dealing with it.

How can you get a quote without them seeing the car. At best it is a guestimate and not binding on the garage. It will be up to the third party which garage he chooses to do the work. You don't have a say in the matter.

Quentin

shane1104 wrote: »

i have forwarded an offer to cover the costs personally, which has gone unanswered. I even got the quote for it at £165 at an approved garage. Which will be more than his excess

If you want to retain your NCD over this issue, then you can "buy it back" off your insurer by reimbursing them their costs (if that is cost effective for you)

shane1104

Tesco replied to me today: they have instructed 3rd parties insurance to repair at a maximum of £300: any costs higher than this will be subject to approval before work being undertaken with a breakdown of parts being repaired.


so if it is £300 i will be happy to reimburse Tesco's costs to retain NCD