Insurance query

2ba3c_thesecond

My mums parked car was driven into last night by an elderly neighbour, and is almost certainly a write off.
We have the neighbours insurance details, should she be contacting them or her own? She is disabled and cannot get around without a car, so I'm trying to help her navigate the world of insurance companies as quickly as we can. Thank you for any help. 

AdrianC

When liability is absolutely clear-cut, go straight to the person responsible's insurance.

If she really needs a car, one should be provided immediately.
If your mum goes to her insurer, they'll almost certainly pass her to a credit-hire company, who will charge very high rates with the risk of the bill coming back to your mother if the other driver's insurer refuse to pay on the grounds that the costs are inflated.

If there's a question over whether she should even be "getting around" during a national lockdown, as (presumably) a person at heightened risk from covid,  that'll also come into play...

2ba3c_thesecond

Thank you, that's really helpful. We will get on to them right away. 

Homer_home

AdrianC said:

If there's a question over whether she should even be "getting around" during a national lockdown, as (presumably) a person at heightened risk from covid,  that'll also come into play...

Why? That has utterly nothing to do with her insurance company

AdrianC

Homer_home said:

AdrianC said:

If there's a question over whether she should even be "getting around" during a national lockdown, as (presumably) a person at heightened risk from covid,  that'll also come into play...

Why? That has utterly nothing to do with her insurance company

It certainly does - if no hire car is needed, then why should one be supplied and paid for, if it's only going to sit around unused?
There's always a legal duty to mitigate your losses, remember?

williamgriffin

AdrianC said:

Homer_home said:

AdrianC said:

If there's a question over whether she should even be "getting around" during a national lockdown, as (presumably) a person at heightened risk from covid,  that'll also come into play...

Why? That has utterly nothing to do with her insurance company

It certainly does - if no hire car is needed, then why should one be supplied and paid for, if it's only going to sit around unused?
There's always a legal duty to mitigate your losses, remember?

Isn't she entitled to a car for shopping, medical appointments and to get to her support bubble if needed?

DiddyDavies

williamgriffin said:

AdrianC said:

It certainly does - if no hire car is needed, then why should one be supplied and paid for, if it's only going to sit around unused?
There's always a legal duty to mitigate your losses, remember?

Isn't she entitled to a car for shopping, medical appointments and to get to her support bubble if needed?

Yes but presumably that's why AdrianC didn't state that a hire car wasn't needed, instead of which they stated:
"if no hire car is needed".

williamgriffin

DiddyDavies said:

williamgriffin said:

AdrianC said:

It certainly does - if no hire car is needed, then why should one be supplied and paid for, if it's only going to sit around unused?
There's always a legal duty to mitigate your losses, remember?

Isn't she entitled to a car for shopping, medical appointments and to get to her support bubble if needed?

Yes but presumably that's why AdrianC didn't state that a hire car wasn't needed, instead of which they stated:
"if no hire car is needed".

He's assumed she should be shielding without knowing what her disability is.

AdrianC

Indeed, @DiddyDavies , indeed...

Perhaps the OP is her support bubble, and can take her to appointments?
Or perhaps Dial-a-Ride can take her?
Perhaps shopping can be - SHOULD be - delivered? I mean... I'm relatively young and healthy, and there's no way I want to be in a supermarket currently...

Simply put - if there was the faintest hint that she may end up with the bill for the hire car, how necessary would <say> £250/week be viewed?
How many times in the average week would it be used?

Of course, it's entirely feasible the hire car will simply not be an issue.
If the car is an open-and-shut write-off, then the payment could be made same day.
No hire car need be provided once a write-off has been agreed and paid...

DiddyDavies

williamgriffin said:

DiddyDavies said:

williamgriffin said:

AdrianC said:

It certainly does - if no hire car is needed, then why should one be supplied and paid for, if it's only going to sit around unused?
There's always a legal duty to mitigate your losses, remember?

Isn't she entitled to a car for shopping, medical appointments and to get to her support bubble if needed?

Yes but presumably that's why AdrianC didn't state that a hire car wasn't needed, instead of which they stated:
"if no hire car is needed".

He's assumed she should be shielding without knowing what her disability is.

No he didn't.
He simply stated that if (there's that word again that turns the statement from an assumption to a query) there was a question as to whether or not the vehicle owner should be going out, this might affect the need for a replacement vehicle.

AdrianC said:

If there's a question over whether she should even be "getting around" during a national lockdown, as (presumably) a person at heightened risk from covid,  that'll also come into play...

AdrianC

williamgriffin said:

He's assumed she should be shielding without knowing what her disability is.

I am assuming nothing.

I am merely positing one possible situation, based on the information the OP provided.