Suspicious car fault after third party claim repairs

paddyandstumpy

Earthsharples wrote: »

I called my insurer for advice. They said "why can't they just put oil in it and make the repairs?". So at least I know I'm not going insane.
They also, perhaps rather predictively, suggested I could always make a claim through them instead, as my ncb is protected due to third party liability. I'm sure this would inflate my insurance premiums though.

If the liability isn't disputed and your insurer recovers their outlay then at renewal the "inflation to premium" will be the same regardless whether you went direct to the TP or claimed on your own policy.

Assuming you would have declared a non fault claim to your insurer regardless...

Earthsharples

They backtracked on oil, now they say a tyre isnt of legal tread depth and so they cant make repairs to the bodywork. Feel like im being steered into an early settlement.
They offered cash in lieu, £1400, i asked for inspection report and itemised list of faults and work required. Comes to £300 more thean they offered due to vat.
So here's my thinking. I go back to them with my high end figure which includes repairs plus vat £1700. 5 days loss of use payments according to what they offered right at the beginning £87.50, courtesy car excess waiver (they said i could claim this back) £70. The stress and frustration of chasing this up continually, the fact my daughter was in the car and the fact i cannot now visit my daughter due to no courtesy car, and a loss of earnings over 10 working days, 32 hours a week on minimum wage (thats a concession to them) £680. And I'll point out their driver admitted liability.
So thats my starting figure and I'm willing to drop in negotiations.

Now do i do this in writing, email or over the phone?

Quentin

You need to do this in writing. (So you have a paper trail should you end up having to take legal action)


But as they seem "difficult" to deal with why not either take up your own insurer's offer to deal with your claim (which would leave you just the uninsured losses to pursue, either using any legal cover if you have it with your policy (or DIY), or consider using an accident management company who will pursue your uninsured losses as well as get your car repaired and provide a replacement car.