Insurance assessment - what to expect?

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Mon 12 Jul 2004 20:30
Insurance assessment - what to expect? - deltaseven
I had an accident in a company vehicle in January this year. Short version is that I met another vehicle on a sharp bend on a very icy road. Both vehicles skidded (despite very low speeds from both drivers due to the conditions) and we collided.

In March, I had a letter from the company's insurers stating that liability was in dispute. They stated that their suggestion of a 50/50 settlement had been rejected by the other party, and asked for further details and for my opinion. I replied that I considered a 50/50 settlement to be suitable as I did not consider myself or the other driver to be wholly responsible - as we were both travelling at similar speeds, and both skidded.

I have received a letter today from an insurance assessor appointed by my company's insurer. They want to meet to discuss the accident, and also want to visit the scene of the accident.

As I have not been in this situation before, I have no idea what to expect. Can anyone offer any advice? Also, the details of the accident are a little hazy now - I have covered 15 000 miles since then! Recently, when I travelled down the road where I had the accident, I couldn't remember exactly where the accident occurred!

Any advice? Please...

D7
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Mon 12 Jul 2004 22:09
Insurance assessment - what to expect? - Ivor E Tower
Check with the person in your company who arranges the insurance cover - ask them if this is OK or would they like to contact the insurance co to find out what this is all about. This sounds most unusual - how expensive was the damage to fix? Is the other party trying to claim compensation for "fictitious" injuries, and the assessor just wants to get a general idea of the road layout etc?
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Mon 12 Jul 2004 22:14
Insurance assessment - what to expect? - BobbyG
Someone will no doubt be along that knows more than me, but FWIW, just remember you are not under trial or anything here. If you can't remember just tell them that.

I would guess either way you are going to have a claim against you, whether it be a 50/50 claim or a full blame, it still counts as 1 claim I believe.

It is very surprising, but in a way reassuring, that insurance companies still make these enquiries as I always thought they were happy to take 50/50.

A telling factor might be where you collided ie did one of you cross the middle of the road into the other's side? So if both cars were skidding but one was going in a straight line on his own side of the road and the other skidded across the road then its fair to say its the seconds fault, if you know what I mean!
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Tue 13 Jul 2004 00:50
Insurance assessment - what to expect? - deltaseven
Thanks guys for your advice - I will speak with my manager tomorrow and see what he says...
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Tue 13 Jul 2004 07:59
Insurance assessment - what to expect? - Mark (RLBS)
>>I have received a letter today from an insurance assessor appointed by my company's insurer. They want to meet to discuss the accident, and also want to visit the scene of the accident.

Who was driving the other car ? The Queen ?

Something going on. You need to speak to your insurance company and ask them why this visit is being arranged.

It sounds to me as if someone is making a very large injury claim.
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Tue 13 Jul 2004 22:19
Insurance assessment - what to expect? - deltaseven
Thanks for that comment, Mark - I had not considered any personal injury claims, as (extremely fortunately) no-one was injured at the scene of the accident. The other driver was on the school run, and had 4 children under six in the vehicle. As I say though, no one was hurt (a friend even came to take the children to school), and I went back to the other driver's house for coffee!!

My manager is going to liaise with the insurers and the assessors to find out what is going on. I will keep the back room posted when I hear more...

Thanks all,

D7
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Tue 13 Jul 2004 23:40
Insurance assessment - what to expect? - No Do$h
Cheers D7, look forward to your update.


No Dosh - Backroom Moderator
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