Pursuing me for the cost of the Credit Hire Car..

NatalieMc89

Hello, this is my first time posting on a forum but I'm really in need of some advice or wondering if anyone else has ever encountered issues with their insurance over a credit hire car...Basically I am now being pursued personally for the cost of the hire car by a company called Auxillis that was arraigned for me by my insurance Admiral.

So initially when I logged the incident with my Admiral, they deemed it as a non-fault case and provided me with a hire car.
Now the case has been settled by my insurance on a without prejudice basis as the third party has provided a witness statement and they say that the damage to the cars is more consistent with the third parties version of events so therefore I am now being perused personally by Auxillis for the cost of the hire car (almost £11,000)...

I was led to believe that in the event the hire car company Auxillis could not recover the costs from the third party that I would have something called a Credit Protection Policy to protect me, however now Auxillis are saying that they believe that I have mislead them when describing the incident deeming this policy now invalid thus the charges falling to me.

Prior to this, I queried liability with Admiral as I didn't understand at the time the I could ever be held liable for the cost of the car and I was told that in the event that Auxillis couldn’t recover the costs that I was to forward the invoice to Admiral and they would cover the charges. I had this confirmed by one of thier managers at the time.

Now that I have received the invoice and done exactly that, it seems they are going back on what was initially saying they need to complete an 'investigation'.

My stance hasn’t changed and I still believe I should not be held at fault for the incident however I don’t have a witness to support my version of events and it seems that has been the main deciding factor.

I just don’t understand how these costs should ever fall on me personally just because now they have decided to side in favour of the third party does not prove I have mislead them in anyway?

I have asked Auxillis for an explanation and for them to provide proof of how they feel I have been misleading but I have received nothing but a demanding invoice saying send a cheque within 7 days to avoid further action... :mad:

Please help!!

Natalie

Quentin

Await the outcome of your insurers "investigation"


Then if you aren't happy with the outcome your route is to make a formal complaint to the insurer which you can then escalate to the FOS for their adjudication if you are unhappy with the reply (or they ignore you for 8 weeks) all at no cost to you


It's not for you to decide liability.


As long as you told your insurer and the AMC the truth you should not have to pay this

NatalieMc89

Thanks for your fast response, that seems the logical resoution 'As long as you told your insurer and the AMC the truth you should not have to pay this'.
However my trust in both Auxillis and Admiral has completely broken down. I actually feel now that they are both just looking for any excuse to ensure I am liable for the charges.
When I queried with Auxillis why the Credit Protection Policy was now suddenly invalid they said it was because of the third party witness statement and the only way I could prove my case was coming forward with my own witness which obviously I don't have.

I have looked into what my next options are however my main concern is that I have now received the invoice which demands I pay it within 7 days otherwise further action will be taken - which I assume means I will incur further charges... I need a resolution fast and have made this clear to my insurance but they have still not made it clear as to when it is likely to be resolved.

Im just unsure if I was to go down that route who should I actually make the complaint against? Should it be my insurance who instructed the hire car company or should it be Auxillis for deeming this policy as invalid which I believe is based on their judgement of which they have no proof and is completely unfair?

Thanks

Quentin

They are using "standard" debt collector language.

"Further action" is a threat to escalate this (eg maybe by taking legal action against you)

You complain to your insurer following them reneging on their confirmation to you that they would deal with auxillis charges should they pass them on to you.

Though you need to also formally dispute the invoice with auxillis. Tell them you have passed it to your insurer and ask them to correspond with them directly and not with you till the dispute is resolved

EddySub19

Hi Natalie,

I'm also in same position as you except I used private accident management firm outside of my insurance as they made the car hire process difficult.

Please can you let us know if you paid the bill or not?

A lot of people on here are posting similar problems but no one is ever giving back an outcome as to what happened?

Its really important for all to know. I could end up with a £30k bill for hiring a Audi for just 2 months. I think these Credit Hire firms are no different to other rogue traders and loan sharks out there. The government is not doing anything to protect people from these dangerous criminals who are charging astronomical figures to lend their cars to people in times of vulnerability for the hirer whose just had an accident.

dacouch

EddySub19 wrote: »

Hi Natalie,

I'm also in same position as you except I used private accident management firm outside of my insurance as they made the car hire process difficult.

Please can you let us know if you paid the bill or not?

A lot of people on here are posting similar problems but no one is ever giving back an outcome as to what happened?

Its really important for all to know. I could end up with a £30k bill for hiring a Audi for just 2 months. I think these Credit Hire firms are no different to other rogue traders and loan sharks out there. The government is not doing anything to protect people from these dangerous criminals who are charging astronomical figures to lend their cars to people in times of vulnerability for the hirer whose just had an accident.

Who recommended the credit hire company to you? I'm guessing it was the Audi dealership.

POst up more details ef why they are disputing it and we may be able to give you some advice

Chickenlips

Whenever an insurer advises something is on a without prejudice basis, there is a possibility the costs incurred could become yours to pay.

At what stage did they say the hire car was given without prejudice? Was it prior to contacting the hire firm, or after the events in your post?

Do you have any paperwork (emails included) stating that liability for your claim has been agreed? Or an email confirming a hire car will be arranged? Does the email say without prejudice?

If they did not state it was on a WP basis, you may be able to argue that the insurers have prejudiced your position. Had you been made aware that the costs would be yours to bear, you would have made further enquiries as you are aware you do not have the funds to potentially cover such a huge outlay. In this circumstance, you probably would have considered buying a banger until the claim was resolved. Or words to that effect.

mrsb9691

Can I ask how this was resolved please? Our TP has denied liability and i’m petrified we’re going to end up in the same boat. A happy ending might help my anxiety levels! 

davidmcn

mrsb9691 said:

Can I ask how this was resolved please? Our TP has denied liability and i’m petrified we’re going to end up in the same boat. A happy ending might help my anxiety levels! 

The OP hasn't logged in to this site for over two years, so I wouldn't hold your breath for an answer.

dunstonh

2018 thread revival.  Don't respond to old posts in error.