While going over to Essex on Sunday a van went into the back of my 2 year old Ford Fiesta, while I was waiting at the traffic lights.
Bumper and tailgate damaged owner had insurance admitted liability, all legit, I have protected full no claims.
Got three estimates, seems to be about £1,400 damage. Car being repaired Tuesday at my Insurance company VBRA bodyshop in Dartford, so far so good.
Now I am with saga, they say that I can use the services of a claims agent,if they accept the case. They have .
State to me that I will not have to pay the excess, they will supply hire car , and is there ' liabiliaty' . in essence they deal with the claim as a no fault!
State this does not affect my no claims, everything seems agreeable.
Now the 'detail' want me to sign a credit agreement, and the company are 'independent' from the insurance company!
It is all coming in writing, have not signed anything....... The party i am claiming off have agreed to accept liability!
Now does anybody have any dealings with these type of companies!....... and if I do not want to do this particular 'offer' I have to pay the excess, claim the excess back (£500) and there is no time limit as to when the other insurance company will have to settle!
Since when have Insurance companies 'deffered' there care of duty to another outsource,!..... If you have fully comprehensive and a protected no claims, regardless of blame, why is this type of activity going on!.
Now the minute someone mentions 'credit agreement 'that seems to me to some poor bugger has to pay, either myself or the third party!
Now I know people can change there minds, but he has offered to pay for the damage,! but because of the cost, and possible damage to the bodywork underneath, ( highly unlikely) I have a doubt!......
Should i get my own claims assessor, ask the third party to pay the excess before repair, or take out a small claims in anticipation. The later i would normally do, but the third party is admitting the accident, so I am sure it will be days if this is NOT the case.....
There is also a fundemental question " quite what is protected no claims' to me it seems to protect the Insurance company, it's agents and wide boys who double the bill simply because it is a claim!..........
No I am not claiming 'whiplash' which everybody says i should...........Constructive comments please
Comments
Ken - this is quite normal in these cases. Don't get involved with the TP offering to pay cash, because he probably won't in the end. The excess is usually waived where the TP insurers accept liability so you won't have to pay it. Yes, you can guarantee that the repairing garage will double the cost if an insurance company is involved. As you have now submitted a claim, your details will be on a database where solicitors and their agents can contact you to instigate a personal injury claim, so wait for the phone to ring!
The bottom line, cutting through all the bullshit and bollocks, as far as I am aware is that if you are taking the insurance route then you (or your agent) need to ensure that the third party pays your excess.
That is tantamount to an admission of liability on his part and should ensure (on the traditional "no blame noclaim" basis) that you do not get a black mark on your protected no claims.
However I am aware that the thieving bastards (sorry to whoever took exception to that term) change the rules to suit themselves so what I have said could be out of date.
Try Citizens Advice.
No slight intended to Saga Lout but be very careful about going to a garage if not approved by your insurance company. Just the kind of excuse the thieving bastards like to evade their responsibilities.
Incidentally do you have legal expenses cover as part of your motor insurance? I you do then (in theory!) they do all the running around to get your excess from the third party thus ensuring that your no-claims remains unblemished.
Could this "credit agreement" thing be part of that process?
Dear Mr Shakespeare
Please tell me what has upset you so and show me where I can improve......
No slight intended to Saga Lout but be very careful about going to a garage if not approved by your insurance company. Just the kind of excuse the thieving bastards like to evade their responsibilities.
Incidentally do you have legal expenses cover as part of your motor insurance? I you do then (in theory!) they do all the running around to get your excess from the third party thus ensuring that your no-claims remains unblemished.
Could this "credit agreement" thing be part of that process?
Yours sincerely
Illiterate Charlton fan
xx
ps
I know I should have written ...."If you do".... rather than ...."I you do"... but unfortunately the "new" Charlton Life does not permit me to edit my posts.