pay excess before Admiral will confirm liability

bartelbe

The blunt truth is you're screwed, you have no witnesses and no dashcam. Best you can hope for is 50/50.

Whatever happens it will be 5 years of increased premiums, not much you can do about it other than take it on the chin.

sheslookinhot

Admiral paid for a repair to my car, less compulsory and voluntary excess, within 2/3 weeks of the accident, and whilst liability was disputed. The accident was very similar to that described by OP.

AdrianC

sheslookinhot said:

Admiral paid for a repair to my car, less compulsory and voluntary excess, within 2/3 weeks of the accident, and whilst liability was disputed.

Yes, they would. At that stage, it's simply a claim against your own comprehensive policy. They will repair regardless of liability.

And if the insurers did not decide entirely in your favour, then it's an at-fault claim against your own comprehensive policy.

ontheroad1970

KimJongUn88 said:

williamgriffin said:

thegentleart said:

My partner spoke to Aviva (van driver's insurer) and he is contesting liability... I guess we shoudn't be surprised. Think it's going to be easier/cheaper just to pay for repairs ourselves. Thanks for the help everyone, drive safely!

You may as well go through the insurance, if it's split 50/50 you'll be paying for half of his repairs and possibly a hire van while his is off the road so you may as well get half of your costs paid for. 

The van driver isn’t presenting a claim though.

Probably the case if the OP wasn't going to claim.  Be aware of the driver suddenly suffering from a sore neck.

thegentleart

sheslookinhot said:

Admiral paid for a repair to my car, less compulsory and voluntary excess, within 2/3 weeks of the accident, and whilst liability was disputed. The accident was very similar to that described by OP.

Sorry to hear about the accident. What happened with the liability?

Sandtree

thegentleart said:

sheslookinhot said:

Admiral paid for a repair to my car, less compulsory and voluntary excess, within 2/3 weeks of the accident, and whilst liability was disputed. The accident was very similar to that described by OP.

Sorry to hear about the accident. What happened with the liability?

Unfortunately "similar" can make a big difference in liability results. You mentioned the van "pulled out" but don't mention why...

If they pulled out to turn into a side road then 70/30 against you 
Pulled out to turn into a driveway or to overtake the vehicle then 50/50
They admit they didnt signal nor did they check then probably 100% in your favour

You also have independent factors... things may go 50/50 because the time/effort to fight a 70/30 will outweigh the benefit of the 20% movement, if injuries etc are involved then people tend to care more about modest percentage movements, if you are a 18 year old in a hot hatch with 4 mates in the car at 11pm on a friday and the ban was being driven by a 40 year old woman with their newborn in a car seat next to them then insurers may decide a judge is going to look more favourably on the other vehicle. In most cases anything that goes to court is basically over liability is about convincing the judge who's telling the truth.