Parked car hit while I was at work, potentially written off

marc58

Hi all,


Last Friday I walked from the office back to my car (a residential street) and found somebody had crashed into the back rendering it undriveable as the metal was pushed against the wheel. No note was left and the only witness was a resident who heard the smash and saw a black car, the man apparently had a quick look and drove away. I had it towed away and my insurance company said it could be written off (I am still waiting for them to inspect the damage properly). The trouble is I will have to cough up the £300 excess and the rest of the direct debit until March next year. Bearing in mind it's a 2006 Suzuki Swift I don't think I will be left with much money after a settlement at all.


I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced something similar?


Also if I am not happy with the valuation of my car could I challenge it at all?


Many thanks, Marc

Quentin

It's the norm when you make a claim (that the policy must be paid in full for the whole year)


As there is no third party to claim from then this is a fault claim and (again unless the third party can be identified) you are left with the consequences of a fault claim (no NCD awarded for the current year/loss of 2 years existing NCD if unprotected/pay your own uninsured losses (eg excess)/premium loaded in future years.


You can challenge the valuation - gather your evidence on the market value of similar models and put it to your insurer


Also check with your insurer how long they will allow to get a replacement car on cover - some have time limits after which they cancel the policy if no car is on cover

teddysmum

My elder son's partner's nearly new car was ruined by a hit and run driver, a few weeks ago. The incident was recorded on camera, but it wasn't possible to see the number plate. It was suspected to belong to a neighbour (not a common model of car)but his car mysteriously vanished.


My other son had his car written off, several years ago, by a car in a police chase. He lost out as he had to pay off his finance , yet had the police followed procedure and confiscated the car a few days before, when they warned the owner about having no insurance etc, the accident wouldn't have happened.

maddogb

Quentin wrote: »

You can challenge the valuation - gather your evidence on the market value of similar models and put it to your insurer

some don't give you the opportunity, Esure didn't with me, refusing on the grounds the FOS say adverts are not reliable and they don't give them much credibility..