4 week old car - likely write off

Luke_Bank

Hi all,

After some advice please. I collected a new car (SEAT Leon) on Personal Contract Hire (Lease) 10th February after a gruelling 7 month wait!

Roll on 5 weeks and it’s been involved in a serious collision, and will probably be written off by the insurance company.

Here are the circumstances:
Third party swerves onto wrong side of the road at speed
Third party hits my vehicle head on at an estimated speed of 60mph
Third party is subsequently arrested for drink drive
Third party isn’t charged with drink drive as there was a delay between arrest and providing a sample on the evidential machine at the police station. Third party was taken to hospital, blood sample wasn’t taken, hence the 5 hour delay.

A week after the incident I still don’t know if the car is a write off but given the state of it I’m going to assume it.

The car is on Personal Contract Hire with SEAT Finance. Paying £233pm, 1 month upfront payment. No GAP cover taken.

I have informed my insurance company. Third party hasn’t taken liability at this stage, and his insurers are saying they are having difficulties contacting him.

Where do I stand? My insurers are saying they will settle directly with the finance company, leaving me HOPEFULLY with nothing to pay (should’ve had GAP cover I know), but without a car. My insurers are also saying that I’ll be liable for my £350 excess which can be claimed back if/when the third party takes liability, and that my premiums will increase until the third party takes liability and my insurers recover their costs.

missile

Welcome to the world of motor insurance.
Your premium will increase even if insurer recovers cost from 3rd party.
If you are confident 3rd party is at fault arrange hire car to be reclaimed from 3rd party.
If you have a good insurer, you may be offered a new for old replacement.

Tom99

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Sounds like you are going to be ok re the actual car, maybe GAP on the next one. I have just paid £128 for 3 year GAP on a £22,000 car which sounded fairly cheap to me as the dealer wanted £400 for the same cover.[/FONT]

DUTR

Luke_Bank wrote: »

Hi all,

After some advice please. I collected a new car (SEAT Leon) on Personal Contract Hire (Lease) 10th February after a gruelling 7 month wait!

7 month wait is different from 7 month lead time which I believe is 16-20 weeks max on that marque of car.

Roll on 5 weeks and it!!!8217;s been involved in a serious collision, and will probably be written off by the insurance company.

Here are the circumstances:
Third party swerves onto wrong side of the road at speed
Third party hits my vehicle head on at an estimated speed of 60mph
Third party is subsequently arrested for drink drive
Third party isn!!!8217;t charged with drink drive as there was a delay between arrest and providing a sample on the evidential machine at the police station. Third party was taken to hospital, blood sample wasn!!!8217;t taken, hence the 5 hour delay.

A week after the incident I still don!!!8217;t know if the car is a write off but given the state of it I!!!8217;m going to assume it.

The car is on Personal Contract Hire with SEAT Finance. Paying £233pm, 1 month upfront payment. No GAP cover taken.

I have informed my insurance company. Third party hasn!!!8217;t taken liability at this stage, and his insurers are saying they are having difficulties contacting him.

Where do I stand? My insurers are saying they will settle directly with the finance company, leaving me HOPEFULLY with nothing to pay (should!!!8217;ve had GAP cover I know), but without a car. My insurers are also saying that I!!!8217;ll be liable for my £350 excess which can be claimed back if/when the third party takes liability, and that my premiums will increase until the third party takes liability and my insurers recover their costs.

You will have to wait and see, I would guess if the car is beyond economical repair then they will settle the outstanding finance.
However if the car was new new not new to you then they may well get the car repaired if it's repairable.
As for DD it is done mathematically and medically, the majority off accidents are involved with drivers who are well sober.

marlot

Many insurance companies pay out the full value on cars written off under a year old. I know mine does (not that I've had to use it, fortunately).

AnotherJoe

marlot wrote: »

Many insurance companies pay out the full value on cars written off under a year old. I know mine does (not that I've had to use it, fortunately).

That was what i thought, but when i looked into it, my company, Direct Line, does not do this on PCH cars and as they are a pretty good insurer it may well be this applies for most insurance companies. OP says his insurance co will settle directly with the finance co, lets hope theys ettle for full value and not a s/h car value (knock 10-20% off probably)

The fact it wasn't the OPs fault, if they can prove it, may give them an out in not having GAP since they can reclaim the cost from the third party.

OP, let us know what happens and take out GAP next time.

Norman_Castle

What is the polices opinion of the accident? Head on into a car in the opposite lane suggests careless or dangerous driving. Any witnesses?

AndyMc.....

Luke_Bank wrote: »

Hi all,

After some advice please. I collected a new car (SEAT Leon) on Personal Contract Hire (Lease) 10th February after a gruelling 7 month wait!

Roll on 5 weeks and it’s been involved in a serious collision, and will probably be written off by the insurance company.

Here are the circumstances:
Third party swerves onto wrong side of the road at speed
Third party hits my vehicle head on at an estimated speed of 60mph
Third party is subsequently arrested for drink drive
Third party isn’t charged with drink drive as there was a delay between arrest and providing a sample on the evidential machine at the police station. Third party was taken to hospital, blood sample wasn’t taken, hence the 5 hour delay.

A week after the incident I still don’t know if the car is a write off but given the state of it I’m going to assume it.

The car is on Personal Contract Hire with SEAT Finance. Paying £233pm, 1 month upfront payment. No GAP cover taken.

I have informed my insurance company. Third party hasn’t taken liability at this stage, and his insurers are saying they are having difficulties contacting him.

Where do I stand? My insurers are saying they will settle directly with the finance company, leaving me HOPEFULLY with nothing to pay (should’ve had GAP cover I know), but without a car. My insurers are also saying that I’ll be liable for my £350 excess which can be claimed back if/when the third party takes liability, and that my premiums will increase until the third party takes liability and my insurers recover their costs.

Possibly a bit of a !!!! up there. If he blew over at the roadside and was taken to hospital there was no need for an evidential test at the station. They should have taken blood at the hospital.

consumers_revenge

IN same situation I checked with direct line before hand ( mines on HP ) and they basically said it was new for old on the 1st year.

Lorian

How is the driver of the Seat Leon? Presumably there is some element of claim to be dealt with there?

Luke_Bank

Thank you for all the responses.

My insurance does have the new car replacement in the first two years. No mention of that being any different for a lease vehicle. I asked on the phone and they weren’t sure (helpful!).

I was driver, I’ve sustained a fractured sternum, trapped nerves, and according to the Dr whiplash to my back and neck.

Essentially, what I’m concerned about is:
1. If I have a shortfall to to the lease company (SEAT Finance) (wish I got GAP cover)
2. If I’ll be without a vehicle. I went to my local dealer and they said it would have to be a factory order and a 7 month wait. Second hand, would be £290pm which is £60 more than I was/still am paying for the brand new one, crazy really!