caravan recovered without permission

katie1965

Hello and thanks for any advice anyone can offer.
Our Caravan suffered damage recently and the insurance company sent a loss assessor to view the damage.
As I had not heard anything for almost 2 weeks following the inspection I called the loss assessor assigned to us to see what was happening I was told that a letter should have been set out to us on the 4th October but they could see the letter had not been sent.
A PDF of the letter was then emailed to us (although the letter was dated the 15th !!!) the letter stated that our caravan had been written off and that we needed to empty the caravan so that Pulse recovery could collect it from its storage place.
I called the loss assessors (Jackson’s claims group) two days later to see when this would occur so we could remove our possessions but was told the caravan had already been collected. At no time whatsoever did we agreed or given our permission for this to happen.
As the gentleman who owns the storage facility where we keep the caravan knew the collector from Pulse recovery and they had all the paperwork they released the caravan.
I complained to the loss adjusters that we still have all our possessions in the caravan and was told we can go and collect out things from Worcester (we live in Blackpool) I said this was unreasonable as it is miles away and we did not ask or give permission for the caravan to be taken. He basically said well if we can’t be bothered to go he would collect our stuff for us, but there is a heck of a lot of stuff including personal items and some large heavy items like awning, gas bottles and basically everything you would have in a small house, and I don’t want a stranger rummaging around in my private stuff.
Can anyone tell me if we can demand the caravan be returned, as the loss adjuster said it cannot?
Also no offer or payment for the caravan has been made. Sorry if long winded (thanks for reading)

DoaM

If there's no agreed offer for (to write off) the caravan then it doesn't yet belong to the insurance company? (I'm not sure on this point). If that's the case then they have unlawfully taken possession of the caravan.

Probably best to wait for other replies.

PasturesNew

While I appreciate that about 150 miles each way IS "a long way" ... many people drive/commute daily to/from work distances in a car of 80-90 miles each way.... and you're talking of a lot of personal possessions. AND, you're a caravanner - people who expect/enjoy/often drive miles.

Just accept that you'll have to go and get it - hire a van, get your stuff, have lunch out, drive home. Job done.

Deal with everything else as a separate matter.

Go get your stuff... NOW.

Potbellypig

katie1965 wrote: »

Hello and thanks for any advice anyone can offer.
Our Caravan suffered damage recently and the insurance company sent a loss assessor to view the damage.
As I had not heard anything for almost 2 weeks following the inspection I called the loss assessor assigned to us to see what was happening I was told that a letter should have been set out to us on the 4th October but they could see the letter had not been sent.
A PDF of the letter was then emailed to us (although the letter was dated the 15th !!!) the letter stated that our caravan had been written off and that we needed to empty the caravan so that Pulse recovery could collect it from its storage place.
I called the loss assessors (Jackson’s claims group) two days later to see when this would occur so we could remove our possessions but was told the caravan had already been collected. At no time whatsoever did we agreed or given our permission for this to happen.
As the gentleman who owns the storage facility where we keep the caravan knew the collector from Pulse recovery and they had all the paperwork they released the caravan.
I complained to the loss adjusters that we still have all our possessions in the caravan and was told we can go and collect out things from Worcester (we live in Blackpool) I said this was unreasonable as it is miles away and we did not ask or give permission for the caravan to be taken. He basically said well if we can’t be bothered to go he would collect our stuff for us, but there is a heck of a lot of stuff including personal items and some large heavy items like awning, gas bottles and basically everything you would have in a small house, and I don’t want a stranger rummaging around in my private stuff.
Can anyone tell me if we can demand the caravan be returned, as the loss adjuster said it cannot?
Also no offer or payment for the caravan has been made. Sorry if long winded (thanks for reading)

What will demanding the caravan be returned, actually do? Are they likely to say ''Good point. Now you've demanded we do it, we will''. I'd say not likely.

Your options begins and ends at driving to get your stuff or accepting the offer of them getting it for you.

Ms_Chocaholic

How about asking them for a contribution towards fuel costs to drive to Worcester. That's your best hope.

katie1965

thanks for the replies,
I asked today if they would contribute to petrol and got a flat no, they even said its no ones fault 'just one of those things' I think its out of order, I still have not had an offer for the caravan. I suppose in the grand scheme of things its only stuff no one is hurt, just annoying x

MataNui

Anything valuable is probably already gone.
My brother had a car accident and was taken from the scene to the hospital. He was in the forces traveling home from the weekend so car had stuff like camera, play station (original, it was a while back) and some new still boxed walking boots. By the time he got to the recovery place to collect his stuff it was all gone. Even his bag of cloths had been rummaged through.


Daughter found similar after an accident with CD player and CDs taken after only a couple of days.

agrinnall

If you go tomorrow you can make a day of it by going to the Worcester - Ospreys game at Sixways. I would normally be there but I have to be somewhere else tomorrow so I won't see you there.



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POPPYOSCAR

I would be furious.

Write a letter of complaint and send it signed for.

They should return the caravan to the storage until such time as you have agreed with them or in the least arrange for you to get to the caravan to retrieve your possessions.

I would also state that if they do not do that they will have to make a payment to you for said possessions.

dacouch

The Ombudsman regards the caravan as yours until you have agreed with the Insurer to accept it being written off.

If you make an official complaint they should reimburse you for any items you are missing due to them taking the caravan away.

If that does not work the Ombudsman will make them reimburse you

hollydays

POPPYOSCAR wrote: »

I would be furious.

Write a letter of complaint and send it signed for.

They should return the caravan to the storage until such time as you have agreed with them or in the least arrange for you to get to the caravan to retrieve your possessions.

I would also state that if they do not do that they will have to make a payment to you for said possessions.

So would I .
The bit that seems to be missing is any paperwork where you agree to them taking your caravan.
I agree with poppyoscar and I'd warn them I'd be persuing them for any items missing.