Insurer undervaluing total loss

Just_Focus

Hi all. Just looking for a bit of further advice in relation to a claim I mentioned in this thread a month or so ago - https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5990857/no-fault-accident-claim-queries.


So I have finally received a settlement offer for the total loss of my vehicle from my insurer Admiral. I'm disappointed with the offer but they are refusing to negotiate at all. For that reason I'm having to refer it on the Ombudsman. Is it normal for an insurer not to even allow their customer to submit evidence of a different valuation? And given that the Ombudsman's website says they don't take in to account adverts is it even worth me submitting those?

Just_Focus

Sorry forgot another query. My insurer has sent me letters saying that it won't prejudice my complaint to the Ombudsman if I allow them to authorise the salvage agent to collect my vehicle from the repair shop to prevent further storage charges being incurred. Does this sound right? I read somewhere online that once I surrender control of the vehicle I can no longer negotiate the settlement figure but Admiral's letter suggests that I still can go to the Ombudsman.

foxy-stoat

You have to minimize the loss so but refusing them to do this could have an impact.

What numbers are you chasing?

AdrianC

I'm going to remind you of this post in that other thread...

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5990857/no-fault-accident-claim-queries#11

Anyway, we did the valuation mullarkey at the end of that thread. There's plenty of evidence to suggest £10-11k as a reasonable market value, given what's available - but you thought price guides were pointing to £9k. What are they offering you?

[Deleted User]

The problem with adverts is that anyone can post one for any ridiculous price. Also the price you pay is rarely what the advert says, it will be some lower amount you negotiate.

As foxy-stoat says, we need to see some numbers.

mattyprice4004

No, it's not normal - if you disagree with the valuation then they should allow you to challenge it.
Shocking behavior, but given my experience with them in the past (where the accident management company literally had to shake them upside down to get my money) I'm not surprised.

Absolutely abhorrent company

Just_Focus

They've offered me 10K on the nose (obviously minus my £600 excess which I hope to get back from the liable third party eventually). They are refusing to negotiate and say that this is the value from the independent assessor and they won't budge on it.

AdrianC

Just_Focus wrote: »

They've offered me 10K on the nose

From what we found last time, that's not unreasonable.

You were hoping for >£11k then, but that was never going to happen.

Car_54

mattyprice4004 wrote: »

No, it's not normal - if you disagree with the valuation then they should allow you to challenge it.
Shocking behavior, but given my experience with them in the past (where the accident management company literally had to shake them upside down to get my money) I'm not surprised.

Absolutely abhorrent company

Literally?

Just_Focus

AdrianC wrote: »

From what we found last time, that's not unreasonable.

You were hoping for >£11k then, but that was never going to happen.

Perhaps you could confirm why it was 'never going to happen' that I would receive an amount that could actually replace my vehicle like-for-like, given that is what I am entitled to by law?

Mercdriver

Why did you not continue on your old thread? Perhaps a mod can merge...