Car Insurance add ons....... Car Hire....... Motor Legal Protection ?

rw89

I hope you don't mind me resurrecting this thread - it seems to be full of the kind of people I need.

I've never had a car accident so I don't really know how claiming works for stuff and I've got myself all confused with legal cover.

Basically, I was shunted at low-speed from behind. No superficial damage to car but we're getting it checked for structural damage. But I had two kids in their car seats in the car too, which I've been advised to get replaced (the seats, not the kids, in case you're wondering).

My policy covers me for replacement car seats, but if I make a claim for personal effects it affects my no-claims. So they've referred me on to the people who do the legal cover addon that I bought.

But the documentation that the legal cover people have sent through all looks a bit scary, like they will invoke court proceedings on the other person to get the out-of-pocket-expenses back. It was just a tiny minor accident and I don't really want to take the other person to court! But when I speak to the legal people they say that they just go to the other person's insurance company to get the money.

Does anyone have experience of this - from either end - and can clarify how this works and if using my legal cover is going to really !!!! off the other person?

Thanks

demonted

Issues in regard NCB can become quite complicated, however, the NCB is normally only affected when the policyholder makes a claim on their own policy for damage to their own vehicle or in your case, it also includes personal affects ( this normally only applies to a Comprehensive Insurance Policy)

Or

When a policyholder is deemed at fault and as a result caused damage to their own vehicle as well as another vehicle or vehicles, property and or street furniture, (lamp post, railing, signage etc)

In such circumstances, the claim is made against your own policy, thus your own insurance company will meet all cost associated with the claim in regard to repairing the damage and or repairing/replacing vehicles.

However, only a Comprehensive Insurance Policy will allow a policyholder to claim for repairs or a replacement vehicle from their own insurance Co when at fault.

In your particular circumstances, so not to affect your NCB, the child seats are being regarded as accessories and fall under "uninsured loses" therefore, by using the Legal Cover, your Insurance Co will appoint a Solicitor or Recovery Agent who you will liaise with directly.

The Legal Cover taken out at the start of your insurance policy will meet all expenses incurred by the Solicitor/Recovery Agent to recover the cost for the replacement child seats and or compensation for any injuries incurred.

The Solicitor/Recovery Agent will send their demand for uninsured loses directly to the other drivers insurance Co and court proceedings will only be issued against the other drivers insurance Co if they refuse to meet the demand for uninsured losses.

The " Court Proceedings" is more of a threat of what will occur if the demand is not met and proceedings normally only occur when the other drivers insurance Co believe the demand is unreasonable or unjust.

rw89

Thanks so much, @demonted. That's really helpful and I really appreciate you taking the time to write such a comprehensive response.