How long after settlement can an insurance company counter su

A friend was in an accident while drunk driving, which he deeply regrets. He pled guilty at court and has served his ban. The insurance was invalidated.

The passenger who insisted he drive him home was injured and sued my friend & the insurance company. It got settled out of court by the insurance company but the insurance company never notified him and so we don't even know the amount. We only found out when the passengers solicitors wrote to say it wasn't going to court now. 

Reading online it seems insurance companies wait to the last allowed time to come after the driver and they have 6 years to pursue the money.

Does anyone know if this is right & is it from date of settlement or the accident pls? 


Comments

  • Hoenir
    Hoenir Posts: 6,634 Forumite
    1,000 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper

    Does anyone know if this is right & is it from date of settlement or the accident pls? 


    Date of settlement.  Insurance companies are obligatated to settle claims. They will therefore often look to minmise thier losses. 
  • XRS200
    XRS200 Posts: 205 Forumite
    100 Posts Name Dropper First Anniversary
    A friend was in an accident while drunk driving, which he deeply regrets. He pled guilty at court and has served his ban. The insurance was invalidated.

    The passenger who insisted he drive him home was injured and sued my friend & the insurance company. It got settled out of court by the insurance company but the insurance company never notified him and so we don't even know the amount. We only found out when the passengers solicitors wrote to say it wasn't going to court now. 

    Reading online it seems insurance companies wait to the last allowed time to come after the driver and they have 6 years to pursue the money.

    Does anyone know if this is right & is it from date of settlement or the accident pls? 


    No reason for them to wait.  Probably come after him as soon as final costs are known.
  • Hoenir said:

    Does anyone know if this is right & is it from date of settlement or the accident pls? 


    Date of settlement.  Insurance companies are obligatated to settle claims. They will therefore often look to minmise thier losses. 
    Not if they have been sued. They wait until the last moment, so that people have moved forward with their lives, bought a new car etc. So they have the best chance of recuperating their money. 
  • Hoenir said:

    Does anyone know if this is right & is it from date of settlement or the accident pls? 


    Date of settlement.  Insurance companies are obligatated to settle claims. They will therefore often look to minmise thier losses. 
    Yes, they wait till the last moment when people have rebuilt their assets, so they have something to have to sell to recupe.
  • DullGreyGuy
    DullGreyGuy Posts: 17,256 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    Hoenir said:

    Does anyone know if this is right & is it from date of settlement or the accident pls? 


    Date of settlement.  Insurance companies are obligatated to settle claims. They will therefore often look to minmise thier losses. 
    Not if they have been sued. They wait until the last moment, so that people have moved forward with their lives, bought a new car etc. So they have the best chance of recuperating their money. 
    No, have recovered outlays, one being in 6 figures, from an insureds dozens of times where we had to act as RTA Insurer. We dont wait for them to "recuperate their money", for a start they haven't lost any money beyond the damage to their car. 
  • mr_stripey
    mr_stripey Posts: 928 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper
    Hoenir said:

    Does anyone know if this is right & is it from date of settlement or the accident pls? 


    Date of settlement.  Insurance companies are obligatated to settle claims. They will therefore often look to minmise thier losses. 
    Yes, they wait till the last moment when people have rebuilt their assets, so they have something to have to sell to recupe.
    I'd be amazed if insurance companies could organise themselves to delibrately "leave it to the last minute". And there's no more likelehood that someone has rebuilt their assets in that time. Anything could happen in six years (if that's the figure) including the "target" leaving the country or dying in some cases. So would not be logical to leave it purposely.


  • Hoenir said:

    Does anyone know if this is right & is it from date of settlement or the accident pls? 


    Date of settlement.  Insurance companies are obligatated to settle claims. They will therefore often look to minmise thier losses. 
    Not if they have been sued. They wait until the last moment, so that people have moved forward with their lives, bought a new car etc. So they have the best chance of recuperating their money. 
    No, have recovered outlays, one being in 6 figures, from an insureds dozens of times where we had to act as RTA Insurer. We dont wait for them to "recuperate their money", for a start they haven't lost any money beyond the damage to their car. 
    My understanding is when a driver is caught Drink Driving their insurance is invalidated but the insurer still has to cover 3rd party damages, in this case an out of court settlement with the passenger. 

    They would then seek to recoup the outlay from the driver. At the moment, there has been no communication from the insurers even to state the amount given to the passenger. 

    I got the 6 years from other cases where Admiral followed this process of waiting, with a driver contacted before 6 years had passed. If this is wrong then great but my friend needs to move on with his life 4 years after his stupid mistake. 
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