How can I avoid a claims management company dealing with my accident?
A month ago I had a very slight accident. I backed out of a parking bay and into a car that had stopped behind me (my fault, no doubt about it). We examined the damage to the other vehicle (which was seven years old) and I had caused a small crease in the lip of the wheel arch. The other driver claimed that I had caused scratching on the front N/S skirt, which I did not dispute at the time but with retrospect could not have been the result of the impact. I gave my details (but not insurance) to the other driver and accepted liability. I asked him to get a quote for repair and indicated that I might pay directly rather than through insurance.
He contacted me two days later and said the quote for repair was £700. This figure seemed high given the very limited damage and was beyond what I was prepared to pay. I then put the matter in the hands of my insurers. However we now seem to have a claims management company involved and suggestions of hire cars (the other vehicle was a Jaguar, albeit an elderly X-Type) and practically a new body shell. How can I insist that my insurers properly fight this?
He contacted me two days later and said the quote for repair was £700. This figure seemed high given the very limited damage and was beyond what I was prepared to pay. I then put the matter in the hands of my insurers. However we now seem to have a claims management company involved and suggestions of hire cars (the other vehicle was a Jaguar, albeit an elderly X-Type) and practically a new body shell. How can I insist that my insurers properly fight this?
Asked on 9 February 2013 by RO, via email
Answered by
Honest John
Have nothing whatsoever to do with these charlatans. Leave the matter in the hands of your insurers, or settle for the £700 shut-up money. I've done that in the past when my ex-wife damaged pulled out of a parking space into another car.
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