Bike insurance direct claim with third party

VitSmith
VitSmith Posts: 27 Forumite
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in Insurance & life assurance
Hi,

I was knocked off my motorcycle by a driver coming out of a side road, since the injuries sustained were quite severe police and ambulance attended the scene.
To cut a long story short - police released their report based on which third party insurer (Alpha Insurance) accepted liability. I have decided to handle the claim myself and contacted the third party insurer, however they did not strike me as professional type. First I was told that the person handling claims is not in the office and should be back in a day or two, then they said they needed vehicle assessment to be carried out which was done a few months ago (total loss). They did manage to find the assessment form after some time. The whole conversation took place over a phone.
How should I proceed with the claim? I would prefer to formalize these communications in case there is a need to escalate this matter. Can you put in a claim in writing by posting it to the insurer? Would email work? Are there any time constraints in which the insurer needs to provide a response?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Comments

  • Quentin
    Quentin Posts: 40,405 Forumite
    Why not just engage a no win no fee specialist claim handler/injury compensation firm to deal with it for you?
  • VitSmith
    VitSmith Posts: 27 Forumite
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    The reason to go directly is quite trivial - avoid fees and additional costs.
  • rs65
    rs65 Posts: 5,682 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post Combo Breaker
    VitSmith wrote: »
    The reason to go directly is quite trivial - avoid fees and additional costs.

    With severe injuries, I would go to a specialist who knows what they are doing rather than rely on internet advice.
  • VitSmith
    VitSmith Posts: 27 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Anniversary First Post
    With severe injuries, I would go to a specialist who knows what they are doing rather than rely on internet advice

    Sorry I should have specified that personal injury claim is dealt with by a solicitor as this is way out of my area of expertise. I am personally claiming only for the motorcycle as it seemed a fairly straightforward task (in my mind at least). Motorcycle in question was only a year old at the time of the accident, I have all the paperwork for it including details of servicing at official dealership. It has been assessed and declared as a total loss. Based on the above I assumed it should be a pretty clear cut case to claim directly avoiding any middlemen.
  • Quentin
    Quentin Posts: 40,405 Forumite
    VitSmith wrote: »
    The reason to go directly is quite trivial - avoid fees and additional costs.

    There are no fees to pay a claims handler over a claim for a written off bike and associated costs.

    But expect a fee from your solicitor (probably by way of deduction of up to 25% from your compensation)
  • VitSmith
    VitSmith Posts: 27 Forumite
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    There are no fees to pay a claims handler over a claim for a written off bike and associated costs.

    Sorry for the dumb question but I always thought that no win no fee claim handlers take a cut from the awarded compensation?
  • sheramber
    sheramber Posts: 19,041 Forumite
    First Anniversary I've been Money Tipped! First Post Name Dropper
    If the third party insurance company have assessed the bike as a total loss then presumably you have already made a claim.

    They should contact with the total loss value they consider appropriate.

    You then accept that or provide evidence to the contrary.
  • Quentin
    Quentin Posts: 40,405 Forumite
    VitSmith wrote: »
    Sorry for the dumb question but I always thought that no win no fee claim handlers take a cut from the awarded compensation?

    Yes, but you told us you have s solicitor dealing with your injury compensation claim.

    You don't pay anything to a claim handler for dealing with your damaged property which is what you are wanting help on???
  • VitSmith
    VitSmith Posts: 27 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Anniversary First Post
    Quentin wrote: »
    Yes, but you told us you have s solicitor dealing with your injury compensation claim.

    You don't pay anything to a claim handler for dealing with your damaged property which is what you are wanting help on???

    Correct the claims have been split into two separate streams (1) personal injury (2) vehicle.

    I think I got confused by the "no win no fee" formulation as it seems to imply that there is a fee in a case of a win. Might be worth shortening the term to just "no fee" :)

    Thanks for the advice.
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