Admiral vs Auxillis — minor no fault repair

highnoon888

Hi all,

Last week I was stationary at a junction waiting to turn when a commuter bus in the other lane veered into my lane and the back of their bus scraped the side of my car.


Meanwhile, the bus has paint scraped and a crack on their rear panel. 


The damage seems minor, but since it wasn't my fault I'm not keen on paying for it if at all possible.

The bus driver was nice, gave me all their details, and said the bus company would call. I've tried getting in contact for 4 days now and no reply other than to expect a call from a manager at any time.

I called Admiral and they said I have two options:

1. Auxillis will take over the process and I don't have to pay any excess and my NCB is protected
2. Admiral proceed with the claim, but I have to pay for any repairs, and if Admiral can get the money back from the bus company later on I will be reimbursed

I have read so many horror stories about Auxillis I'm not sure if this is the best thing to do. The person on the phone from Admiral said I should take the call from Auxillis first before deciding, and they did make it sound straightforward (although tried to push a hire car on me three times).

Is there anything I need to know about choosing one option over the other? Could the bus company/their insurance still offer something?

chrisw

Do you have comprehensive insurance? If so, under option 2, Admiral would still pay for the repairs but you would have to have to pay the excess, which you would claim back once liability had been established.

Mark_d

Talk to Auxilis.  They should handle everything for you including getting you a hire car whilst your car is being repaired.  They will recover all their costs from the bus company, so you shouldn't be out of pocket or inconvenienced in any way.

highnoon888

chrisw said:

Do you have comprehensive insurance? If so, under option 2, Admiral would still pay for the repairs but you would have to have to pay the excess, which you would claim back once liability had been established.

Thanks. Yes, fully comprehensive insurance. I should have clarified, yes, I'd be liable up to the excess (£450) but would get that back once liability is established. 

highnoon888

Mark_d said:

Talk to Auxilis.  They should handle everything for you including getting you a hire car whilst your car is being repaired.  They will recover all their costs from the bus company, so you shouldn't be out of pocket or inconvenienced in any way.

Thank you. Is there anything to be aware of when using something like Auxillis? I've read horror stories about the other party not agreeing to Auxillis's version of the costs and then it becoming a protracted nightmare to resolve, but maybe these are overblown? 

Mark_d

highnoon888 said:

Mark_d said:

Talk to Auxilis.  They should handle everything for you including getting you a hire car whilst your car is being repaired.  They will recover all their costs from the bus company, so you shouldn't be out of pocket or inconvenienced in any way.

Thank you. Is there anything to be aware of when using something like Auxillis? I've read horror stories about the other party not agreeing to Auxillis's version of the costs and then it becoming a protracted nightmare to resolve, but maybe these are overblown? 

I don't have any experience of this specific accident management company but there are loads of them around.  When I had RAC car insurance the RAC had their own accident management company.  Accident management companies make the processes simpler for you - they liaise with the insurance companies, hire car companies, so that you don't have to do the chasing.

When you talk to Auxilis you can ask them what happens if the bus company's insurer disputes the costs being claimed.  I'd be surprised if you'd be taking on any liability...but you should absolutely ask any questions you have

DullGreyGuy

highnoon888 said:

Mark_d said:

Talk to Auxilis.  They should handle everything for you including getting you a hire car whilst your car is being repaired.  They will recover all their costs from the bus company, so you shouldn't be out of pocket or inconvenienced in any way.

Thank you. Is there anything to be aware of when using something like Auxillis? I've read horror stories about the other party not agreeing to Auxillis's version of the costs and then it becoming a protracted nightmare to resolve, but maybe these are overblown? 

The vast majority of cases are settled without issue, certainly in my claims days Auxillis (or HelpHire as it was called back then) had agreements with many mainstream insurers to settle claims in bulk in exchange for substantial discounts once liability had been agreed. 

There are horror stories, many, but not all, are when someone runs up a £20,000 hire bill awaiting the total loss of their car worth £1,500. 

As long as you 1) dont commit fraud and 2) follow the instructions of Auxillis including assisting them with recoveries then you will have no real personal liability. Where most people get unstuck is the second point because after having a hire car for 3 months whilst theirs is in for repairs dealing with parts backlogs etc they suddenly dont want to share bank/credit card statements etc to demonstrate a personal hire wouldn't have been affordable etc.