Albany Assistance and Elephant Car insurance help

Sjmb

I am in the same situation. Hit by a car, driver admitted liability at the scene and asked me to get a quote, which I did for £370. Sent it to them and they now want to go through insurer. My insurer has passed me over to Albany, but their online reviews are dire and they are already racking up the claim, by insisting I need a hire car, wanting me to sign all sorts of agreements. Can my insurer force me to use this awful company

Quentin

No.


You can insist on your insurer dealing with the claim.


You will have to pay your excess and recover it from the third party.


Alternatively contact the third party insurer directly and ask them to deal with your claim directly.

EmmaST

Thank you again for your advice.
I went back to the third party insurer with photos and maps. The third party (to be precise, his mother) is currently disputing liability, but his insurer did ask him to provide some evidence. They do seem to think based on the evidence that I have provided, that it is not my fault, however, they need to wait 2 weeks for him to come back with his version and evidence. So basically, I have the option to wait for 2 weeks and contact the third party insurer or to go back to my insurer and raise the claim. I am now wondering what the different options mean? If I go through the third party insurer, does it mean that my NCB and excess will not be affected? If I go through my insurer, will my NCB be affected even if it turns out that it's not my fault? I am happy to wait 2 weeks since my car has only cosmetic damage, but would like to understand the pros and cons of going via third party insurer versus my own insurer.

Quentin

If you use your own insurer you have to pay your excess (and reclaim it off the third party once the issue of liability is concluded)


Your NCD is (temporarily) affected till your insurer gets full reimbursement off the third party when your NCD will be reinstated (which can be a pain if your renewal comes due whilst the claim has yet to be concluded meaning moving to another insurer is not straightforward as you have a reduced NCD)


2 weeks is not a long time to wait, and if they accept liability you can then insist on your choice of repairer, no excess to pay and reclaim, a replacement car provided whilst yours is in dock, and any other costs you incur (taxis/public transport/loss of earnings etc) will be reimbursed


If they won't play ball you can still go back to your own insurer to get the repairs done and await the liability issue being concluded

Quentin

Well......#7 from Albany remains - with all its rule breaking touting/advertising in paragraph 3 - how does it comply with the rules for reps just "answering queries"?


The OP came here for advice after deciding not to sign up with Albany, not to be seemingly pressurised by their rep seizing on the thread and abusing his privileges in an attempt to get the OP to sign up!

EdGasket

Actually I realise two of my posts have now been removed. The one where I referenced a person being personally pursued for £10K of credit-hire charges and another reference to the customer having the 'credit protection policy' but still having to go to court to prove they had no money to hire a car themselves at less cost!

Quentin's post which referenced Dacouch's is now missing!

Who is removing these posts? Do we have free speech in this country or not? Why has no-one contacted me ref. removing my informative and very useful posts? There's dark forces at work here and for once I'm not referring to 'DarkMatter' (spoof poster on the Motoring board).

OnanTheBarbarian

someone playing with your bat & ball Quentin? :rotfl:

rudekid48

I see this thread has been "cleansed" again.

What hold to Albany have over MSE that results in any posts questioning their tactics being removed, whilst allowing them to self-publicise which is supposed to be a breach of forum rules?

Former_MSE_Andrea

Hi everyone

While the company's post could be considered advertising in this instance we feel as the original poster had said she was originally going with albany we're happy for it to have a right of reply. Of course, EmmaST, you're under no obligation to contact the company. The decision is entirely up to you.