Help - car accident , threatened and scaremongered

KirstyMacD2000

Any help is appreciated regarding this, i have been through such distress over the whole process.
Hired a car through expedia and took out their extra insurance.
On picking up the car, wasnt asked if we had insurance was just given the car and sent on my way.
Unfortunatlly an accident occured - there was light rain and out of no where the car lost control and my choice was either go right call of a cliff and die, or left and go into a dirt wall, i chose the wall.
At the car hire company i asked them to get the brakes, tires and steering checked as we checked the tires after the accident and the tread looked suspect and for the car to go out of control like it was on ice wasnt something i've ever experience. 
They gave us a new hire car (and said they didnt need another excess) and sent me on me way.
Once i tarted asking for info for the insurance they got funny with me and demanded i return the hire care ASAP and settle all debts as they shouldnt have gave us it without another excess and they girl would now lose her job, how is any of this my fault?. The had also been emailing me and calling me constantly asking how i would be paying for the invoice, they sent me an estimate in greek and said it would be translated.
On returning the second car - i was asked to pay the excess and crane fee which i did. They then wanted more money - which i said no i cant pay any further money till i speak to my insurance and you send me a translated invoice. 
The girl behnd the counter was seen trying to see how much was left on my credit card by seeing what different amounts would process - i am more than sure this isnt professional protoal anywhere. She also forgot any knowledge of me asking to check the car for tires steering and brakes, how convenient. And also threatened me by saying we will be getting a lawyer involved if you dont pay.
my insurance company were less than helpful, aparently its a new service they provide now through expedia and no one really knows how to process anything. 
After the insurance said theyve given me as much as i am entitled too i now have to take the rest up with the car company itself. baring in mind the bill is nearly 6,000 euros and is nearly the price of a new car.
My friend and i were then standed an hour away from our resort and then had to sorce other transport to the airport for us leaving the day after.
So i contacted the rental car company who now say if i want a translated invoice my insurance has to do it and if i dont pay the money they will be getting a laywer.
Hold, up i havent refused to pay i've just said i want to know what i am paying for which i think i am legally entitles too? and they promised to translate from day one and havent. 
They've ignored all my complaints, and the scaremongering of the whole situation has left me a stone lighter and losing my hair. 
all this has happened over the last month since returning - i've finally for in touch with expedia regarding the the company being unprofessional and scaremongering and ruining my holiday.
If i had known if an accident would happen i would have been billed for that much money i wouldnt have hired the car!
is all this right? do i have to foot the whole 6,000 bill? (minus the money from the insurance)

any help appreciated
many thanks

KirstyMacD2000

i hired the car abroad in greece

[Deleted User]

KirstyMacD2000 said:

do i have to foot the whole 6,000 bill? (minus the money from the insurance)

If the insurance is insufficient to cover it, yes.

Presumably the shortfall is your excess?

eDicky

So you booked this rental in Greece through Expedia, and paid Expedia for extra insurance to cover the excess of the hire firm's own CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) included in the hire price, correct..?

When you picked up the car a deposit or pre-authorisation was taken on your card for the excess amount, correct so far..?

KirstyMacD2000

yes - i've basically been treated bad by the car rental company and they arnt taking responcibility. I think its not correct they tried putting charges through on my card to check my credit card balance.
 I've actually figured out that i assumed i was taking out FULL insurance with expedia but it turns out expedia are one of the only sites that don't actually offer FULL insurance for hire cars. If this was made clear i would never have hired a car with expedia. It's very sad cause obviously i don't have 2,000 pounds to pay for the rest of the damages and instead of talking to me about it they're just threatening me with a lawyer. 

[Deleted User]

It would be wise to offer a schedule of repayments before the cost increases due to legal fees.

KirstyMacD2000

i also think demanding the new hire care back because the person would now get fired for giving me one, isn't correct protocall either 

[Deleted User]

Protocol.

But if a mistake was made in giving you the car, they are allowed to correct it.

KirstyMacD2000

but it wasnt a mistake - when i picked up the car she said to me everything is fine you are allowed to take this car. and she only rang for it to be returned once i started asking for paper work......funny that
i just feel conned. i thought i was taking out FULL insurance like on all other care hire sites when you pay the extra cover. it's left me so disheartened
i'm trying to talk to the car hire company about payments etc....but they're just ignoring me its like they want to get a lawyer involved. I've asked for a translated estimate, and they refuse. i have a right to have a bill in english. 

[Deleted User]

You said it was a mistake, because of the excess issue  But regardless, you need to take a few deep breaths and read your insurance policy. 

Then get the estimate translated. At the very worst, type it into a translation programme to see what it says.

KirstyMacD2000

yes but i did ask at the time and she said no everything is fine its ok to take the car. she didnt even ring to explain she just rang abuptly and rudly told me to return it asap like it as my fault!