My Cat D car has been hit by another driver - how to claim?

Tom99

Quentin wrote: »

The "usual way" isn't to claim off your own policy in cases like this!
Whenever you are involved in an incident where the third party is clearly to blame then there are good reasons to pursue your claim against the third party rather than claim against your own policy (you have to if you don't have comprehensive cover)
The reasons include no excess to pay and subsequently have to pursue the third party for/your NCD is untouched/much easier to choose your own repairer/a replacement car provided by the third party FOC

The usual way is to make the claim via your own insurer but you can always try and claim from the other party if you want to go that route. The OP does not yet know if the other party is insured.

agentk

This happened to me but both other drivers were insured and to blame. I was pay out twice different insurers. There is some kind of formula less 30% was mentioned for cat d and there no longer called this! Still bl88dy hassle though. Am waiting to see if i can get back my £550 access though.Do i just write to others insurance company?

Quentin

Tom99 wrote: »

The usual way is to make the claim via your own insurer but you can always try and claim from the other party if you want to go that route......

1) It's only a possibile route if you have a comprehensive policy

2) Most insurers now have innocent third party claims departments who will bend over backwards to stop you claiming off your own insurer ( many insurers nowadays push their own innocent policyholders towards their pet claims handler companies which are often the cause of trouble).

3) Your NCD is unaffected when you go directly to the third party whereas people get a shock to discover their NCD is reduced when claiming on their policy until the file is closed, making it impossible to switch insurer should renewal come whilst the NCD is impacted

4) You can choose your preferred repairer - who will have a vested interest in doing a good job

If the third party insurer won't play ball then your options are still open to use a claim handler or claim off your own policy

EdGasketTheSecond

I've had a car written-off twice and got paid both times; ended up with more money than the car cost me in the first place though that didn't amount to very much.

Dangermac

lisyloo wrote: »

It's extremely rare I agree, but you claimed there was no legal recourse and now you've gone back on that as it isn't true (BTW - some of us have standalone legal insurance, so advice and costs covered if required).



thanks for your advice, but I think most people would value not losing their NCD and no excess to pay over the lack of FOS.

Personally I think youre over-egging it, most innocent 3rd party claims depts are falling over themselves to deal with the claim (to retain control of costs), but I think we can now cnosider everyone amply forewarned about the risks.

Actually, I’ve not gone back on anything

I said that using the 3rd party insurer means that there is no complaints process available. I did not say that this would end the rights of a claimant to use the courts. That would be absurd.

You may think that I’m over egging the risks and you’re perfectly entitled to your opinion, however, I’m speaking from many years direct experience.

DM

Dangermac

Quentin wrote: »

1) It's only a possibile route if you have a comprehensive policy

2) Most insurers now have innocent third party claims departments who will bend over backwards to stop you claiming off your own insurer ( many insurers nowadays push their own innocent policyholders towards their pet claims handler companies which are often the cause of trouble).

3) Your NCD is unaffected when you go directly to the third party whereas people get a shock to discover their NCD is reduced when claiming on their policy until the file is closed, making it impossible to switch insurer should renewal come whilst the NCD is impacted

4) You can choose your preferred repairer - who will have a vested interest in doing a good job

If the third party insurer won't play ball then your options are still open to use a claim handler or claim off your own policy

Why is it 'impossible' to move insurer whilst the NCD is impacted?

Quentin

Most people would see it as (virtually) impossible

As you would be down 2/3 years NCD depending on how much you would have had without the claim being open ,(eg if you had 4 at the start of the policy year, then made a claim for which a third party was to blame but not closed at renewal, you would just have 2 years NCD at renewal,)

That would make a significant difference to premiums!

Meaning you are locked in with your present insurer till the NCD gets reinststef

lisyloo

Dangermac wrote: »

Actually, I’ve not gone back on anything
DM

Post #6

If the 3rd party insurer messes up the claim (which can happen), you will have no complaints recourse against them

Post. #10

Yes, there is always legal recourse

Therefore there is recourse.
It is up to individuals whether the lack of FOS is worse than excess/NCD issues.

Dangermac

lisyloo wrote: »

Post #6



Post. #10



Therefore there is recourse.
It is up to individuals whether the lack of FOS is worse than excess/NCD issues.

Errr...

You may be confusing ‘Complaints Recourse’ with ‘Legal Recourse’ which are two very different things.

I think I’m done on this thread.

I’m off to lie down in a darkened room.

DM

Quentin

Dangermac wrote: »

I think I’m done on this thread.

I’m off to lie down in a darkened room.

DM

You knew I didn't mean literally "impossible'

Hope your rest does you good,