Involved in non-fault minor car accident

hypes2k

Hi,

I was involved in a non-fault car accident - my cars rear bumper has minor damage. I have told my insurance company and they are dealing with it. There's no reason for any claim issues to arise as it was a clear rear end bump by the third party.

If anyone that knows could kindly answer a couple questions which are:

1) The bumper is damaged, with some hairline cracks and paint damage - do insurers generally replace the entire bumper or do they go the cheap route and just repair the damage? (I am quite precious about my car and would prefer a new bumper)

2) If I insisted I wanted to replace or repair the bumper myself, is there any way for this to happen (eg they pay me directly the value of what the repair would actually cost)

3) If I used my own choice of bodyshop - do they always pay them directly?

Many thanks

McKneff

You should have just told your own company for information only and dealt directly with the third parties company. No fuss, sorted much quicker

hypes2k

Hi McKneff,

I only told them yesterday so I could probably still do this, couldn't I?

Thanks

Quentin

1) Once a bumper is damaged it has done its job and absorbed some of the impact so usually you can expect a new one


2)You could probably just sort this with the repairer and pay them the difference

3) Yes (Note that some insurers charge an extra excess when you insist on your own repairer - much easier to do if you don't use your own insurer and go direct to the third party insurer)

hypes2k

Quentin wrote: »

1) Once a bumper is damaged it has done its job and absorbed some of the impact so usually you can expect a new one


2)You could probably just sort this with the repairer and pay them the difference

3) Yes (Note that some insurers charge an extra excess when you insist on your own repairer - much easier to do if you don't use your own insurer and go direct to the third party insurer)

Thanks!

Regarding 3)...

You say they charge an extra excess - is this even when it's not my fault? I was under the impression I do not pay anything if it wasn't my fault?

Quentin

Your excess isn't covered by your policy.

The only time that you don't pay (usually) is when a claim comes against you when you are to blame and you don't claim for your own repairs

If you don't want to pay your excess now and have to reclaim it, then cancel your claim If you can and claim off the third party

hypes2k

really need some advise

So we are insured with GoSkippy and for some reason Enterprise are handling the non-fault claim. They are now telling the Wife that they want to inspect damage and give her a hire car and repair our car.

I really think its inappropriate for them to give us a hire car seeing as the damage is hardly noticeable at a distance (hairline cracks) and I do not wish to be without our car for any period of time, it's just not worth it for the damage that has been done. I feel they are just trying to get as much money out of the third party insurance as possible by giving us a hire car.

So,

What do I say to them? They can inspect the damage, but I do not wish them to take it or hire us a car and that I wish to get it repaired myself?

How do I go about this? Do I need to get quotes from bodyshops?


ETA:I'm going to try and cancel the claim and give the third party insurance a ring. Didn't realise it was this much hassle.

McKneff

Yes, you will save yourself a lot of stress

Quentin

If enterprise are acting as an accident management company then you won't have to pay your excess. Find out what their role is. (Insurers repairer or AMC)

If you are staying with your own insurer you can insist they deal with the claim. Then insist on your own repairer and they will tell you what you need to do

hypes2k

Quentin wrote: »

If enterprise are acting as an accident management company then you won't have to pay your excess. Find out what their role is. (Insurers repairer or AMC)

If you are staying with your own insurer you can insist they deal with the claim. Then insist on your own repairer and they will tell you what you need to do

Without asking, I'm pretty sure they're AMC as they told me I wouldn't have to pay an excess yesterday?

What does this really mean? i.e is this a good or bad thing

Thank you for your help Quentin.

Quentin

It means you get some advantages over your insurer dealing with the claim (no excess to pay and no temporary loss of ncd if it's unprotected)

Disadvantages are they won't be too helpful in letting you use your own choice of repairer, and are happiest when you accept their credit hire car. They don't make so much out of it if you refuse the car!

The insurer getting the bill for the credit hire car sometimes argues about paying and should it need to be resolved in legal action then you are required to go to court to assist them getting paid