Insurance woes

[Anne B]

Gareth. are you feeling a little bit bitter?

Well i hope you have a good weekend.

[GarethB]

Weekend has got off to a great start;




Courtesy of El Blanco Van Man;

Got side swiped by a Spanish van who was too busy reading his map to stop for the roundabout and hit me instead. Left wrist is aching a bit, hurts more when I drive or type. At least he stopped and gave me all his details, we vehicle details, name and phone number!

At least he was ver apologetic so fingers crossed the details he left are correct.

So glad I was not wearing the blacked out shades and light sensitivity no longer an issue. Just hat calling the claims line which says we will put you through to one of our claims centres which are located all round the world!

Hopefully the weekend will not get any worse.

[Michael P]

I'm sorry to read about your accident Gareth.

In anotherv life time I was an insurance broker so if you need any advice feel free to PM me.

[GarethB]

Thanks Michael,

I may well take you up on that, I have had pins 7 needles from my elbow to my finger tips since driving the car again. Like when you bang your funny bone but without the pain in the elbow.

Had a close look at the wing and top and bottom have been pulled away from the A pillar. have steering wheel shake, slight but noticeable and looked closely at where the door was hit. Right on the frame and looks like the door skin has been pushed firther on to the frame and actually split the metal on the door skin.

Have either buckled the shell on the A pillar causing the shake or thrown a wheel balance weight on impact or knowked the tracking out.

Glad I took out an extra poliy out that covers the shortfall between payout for a written off car and the outstanding HP.

Only had the car a year and that was to replace the SAAB 9000 that cought fire which the insurance refused to pay out on because they deemed the cause to be mechanical failure which was not coverd. They admitted I would have done better letting the car burn instead of putting the fire out immediatly with the extinguisher I always have in the car!

Shoulders getting pins and needles now typing,and pain in the thumb, so think will get down the doctor to get the joints chekced out.

[Michael P]

I'm sorry to hear you were injured in the accident and hope your weekend is not a total right off; same comment applies to your car!
Hopefully you have Motor Legal Protection cover which will deal with your uninsured losses, e.g excess, personal injuries. This is particularly important when accidents involve drivers from abroad.
If your previous car suffered fire damage then in my opinion all damage caused by the fire itself should have been covered. What is excuded is the actual mechanical damage itself. So if some part in the engine failed that would be excluded but all damage caused by the resulting fire should hve been paid for.
How long ago was the fire.
Was your policy through a broker or direct with the insurer?

[GarethB]

Michael,

The broker was Quote Me Happy! and as soon as I saw smoke, stopped the car and killed the ingnition. Poped the bonet enough to get the extinguisher nozzle underneath and emptied the entire extinguisher into it. Therefore no burn damage, nor fire brigade and the dry powder from the extinguisher would just wash away.

So what you say confirms the what the insurer said, that was 12 months and 5 weeks ago!

I always have legal protection, so hopefully will get my excess. NHS direct advised going to A&E this morning and ive tweaked the median nurve in my elbow. Was advised to keep the joint moving and the inflamation round the nurve would subside so I went and visited my day so driven the best part 150 miles. Just typing agreavtes the elbo a little bit but vastly improved from this morning. Will give it a few more days and hopefully all will be fine.

In some ways cursing my quick reactions otherwise would of had a payout on the SAAB and would be guaranteed Toyota would be replaced then again I might have niot got away quite so lightly.

Frined of a friend saw me exchanging details and commented on how calm and collected I was exchanging details and then helping the other driver on his way!

[Andrew MacLean]

Gareth

I am really sorry to read about and see the damage to your motor car.

All the best

Andrew

[Michael P]

From what you have said it seems Norwich Union dealt with the Saab claim correctly.
Nowadays insurers try to get claimants to deal direct with them even when the policy has been arranged through a broker. On numerous occasions I discovered that claims had been incorrectly refused or excessive reductions made from the settlement.
Despite what some direct insurers say, brokers are not middleman but professional advisers not just in placing insurance but also in claim handling and helping generally. Despite what insurers say, they need to keep claims costs to a minimum so the poor punter needs professional help. I would like to say a lot more but I will get off my soap box now.
I hope you are feeling better today and enjoy the rest of the weekend.
I guess you'll be watching the Grand Prix.

[GarethB]

If not watching the grand prix, I will be listening to it while I polish under the capri. Doctor did say I had to keep the arm moving, plus awaiting the wrath of her in doors, just spent nearly £700 on a pair of brand new (well 32 years old but still in original box) tail lamps for the car!

Just as well I'm working tomorrow

[Michael P]

Yes I had a lot of flak from the missus when I bought a plasma tv and home cinema kit. however after a few days not a peep and I could see she had come round and was enjoying it.
New tail lamps? Hmm, i think you may need a few months