Motor Accident - Out of Pocket Expenses

rooo

OK, I'll make the basics quick: Someone has crashed into my car, their insurers have accepted liability, and I have a hire car off them. I wasn't in the car luckily.

I expected it to be a massive pain in terms of hassle and wasted time, but I didn't expect it to hit me quite so hard on the pocket!

This is mainly because my hire car is petrol and my normal car is diesel so is costing me more on fuel, but also a multitude of other things such as phone calls to insurers, cancelled appointments etc. that I have had to pay for.

Has anyone claimed for their out of pocket expenses before - and what did you claim for? I don't want to take the michael, but I also don't see why I should be out of pocket for something that wasn't my fault.

Any help appreciated!

marble

Hi,
You can claim for these expenses but it will be up to you to prove that they are higher than normal. For example, you will probably have to show that your average weekly petrol bill is £x and now it is £y. Telephone calls are easy (copy of your phone bill with appropriate numbers highlighted).

Insurance companies will pay up (people very rarely do claim for this though) though proving you are out of pocket is trickier. You'll have to provide a few months of bank statements showing your average diesel outlay and then show your average petrol outlay. The insurance company could also argue that since you're driving their car, your car is not getting wear and tear so take off the running costs of your car.

If you're going to be out of pocket, it's worth trying but depending on how much you claim for, you may have a fight!

Al

rooo

I did actually think about the wear and tear issue, but any benefit I get from this won't show until I sell the car (in about 3 years time) so I don't think thats a case to argue on their part. I will be out of pocket by about £150 all in all which is a lot of money to anyone, but especially when there is a new mouth to feed!

I purchased a diesel so I would save money, so this is definitely something I will be claiming for, as I can't afford not to.