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Come Inside... => Petrol/Diesel/Red Diesel/Aviation Fuel Head Zone => Topic started by: Pastis on March 10, 2009, 05:37:28 PM

Title: Insurance claims
Post by: Pastis on March 10, 2009, 05:37:28 PM: When did this start happening? evil:

I'm making a claim because someone reversed into my motor whilst parked. It's actually all very amicable, I've known him for years and he admitted the bump and it was on private property.
The claim's proceeding nicely ~ assessed, replacement vehicle on the way etc ~ when out of the blue his insurance company phone me up offering to put right everything, repair, provide hire car etc and... get this... imply that I might be liable if the value of the hire car is greater than equivalent to mine! Eh? whacky115

Having told them politely to bugger off and deal with my insurance co. they then send me a letter today detailing their offer again!
Whilst the assessor was here this morning I asked him what he thought. He said they're all doing it now, trying to save costs by putting the work through their own network of repair shops and vehicle hire companies rather than paying out to another insurance company.

I have no problem with them running an efficient company and monitoring their costs, but when they start saying that declining their offer may result in me failing to mitigate the costs and end up in court... it sounds threatening... evil: evil:

Well? Anyone else had this?
Title: Re: Insurance claims
Post by: The Moan Ranger on March 10, 2009, 08:00:44 PM: It's a bluff, ignore them - tell your insurance company that this has happened.
Title: Re: Insurance claims
Post by: Pastis on March 10, 2009, 08:12:33 PM: Quote from: The Moan Ranger on March 10, 2009, 08:00:44 PM
It's a bluff, ignore them - tell your insurance company that this has happened.

Am doing, first thing tomorrow.

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Really? evil:
Title: Re: Insurance claims
Post by: The Moan Ranger on March 10, 2009, 09:53:16 PM: I have put "me bruv" on the case - he knows all things insurance. Can you wait until tomorrow (ish) when his hangover subsides?
Title: Re: Insurance claims
Post by: Snoopy on March 10, 2009, 10:14:46 PM: Quote from: Pastis on March 10, 2009, 08:12:33 PM
Quote from: The Moan Ranger on March 10, 2009, 08:00:44 PM
It's a bluff, ignore them - tell your insurance company that this has happened.

Am doing, first thing tomorrow.

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Really? evil:

Saga don't insure anything ~ they are a club for the over fifties that negotiate block discounts for their members.
Anywhoo semantics aside ~ yes all the insurers are doing this ~ when it happened to me I sent their mail onto my insurers and said "Deal with this I can't be arsed, it is what I pay you for" My car was fixed and the courtesy vehicle offered was inappropriate so my insurers gave me a bigger one. No point in offering me a Micra when the vehicle in for repair was a 7 seat Zafira ~ where was I to put my additional passengers or did they think I drove a 7 seat Zafira for the fun of it etc etc
Title: Re: Insurance claims
Post by: The Moan Ranger on March 10, 2009, 10:28:56 PM: I refer the honourable hound to my previous response.
Title: Re: Insurance claims
Post by: Pastis on March 10, 2009, 10:57:30 PM: Quote from: The Moan Ranger on March 10, 2009, 09:53:16 PM
I have put "me bruv" on the case - he knows all things insurance. Can you wait until tomorrow (ish) when his hangover subsides?

I'd be interested to hear "bruv's" views, but will also let my insurance co. know tomorrow what the other buggers are up to. Mind you, they're prolly up to the same tricks ::)

I'm inclined to put a copy of the letter in my neighbour's post box too; he might want to investigate further and ask Questions
Title: Re: Insurance claims
Post by: Pastis on March 10, 2009, 11:28:10 PM: Quote from: Snoopy on March 10, 2009, 10:14:46 PM
Saga don't insure anything ~ they are a club for the over fifties that negotiate block discounts for their members.
Anywhoo semantics aside ~ yes all the insurers are doing this ~ when it happened to me I sent their mail onto my insurers and said "Deal with this I can't be arsed, it is what I pay you for" My car was fixed and the courtesy vehicle offered was inappropriate so my insurers gave me a bigger one. No point in offering me a Micra when the vehicle in for repair was a 7 seat Zafira ~ where was I to put my additional passengers or did they think I drove a 7 seat Zafira for the fun of it etc etc

Yep, Saga lost my business 12 months and 1 day after I turned 50 when they couldn't even match the competition. They still send me offers on cruising deals however... shutup: ... if they only knew happy001

The lass from my Ins. Co. was very understanding and insisted I wouldn't be palmed off with some tiny 3 door hatch...

Businessmen don't want to be seen turning up in that, do they Sir?
Well, probably not... but...
I'll make sure it's a decent replacement for you, Sir
That's very kind, but I'm not that bothered. I don't use it....
Leave it with us us, Sir.
I don't need a Hummer... or a 4x4 you understand?
No, we'll have something nice for you as a replacement.

I wait with bated breath eeek:
Frankly it doesn't bother me one way or the other what they send out ~ my needs are unlike yours ~ but the leaning on by the other side is a disturbing issue.
Title: Re: Insurance claims
Post by: The Moan Ranger on March 11, 2009, 12:08:24 AM: Quote from: Pastis on March 10, 2009, 10:57:30 PM
Quote from: The Moan Ranger on March 10, 2009, 09:53:16 PM
I have put "me bruv" on the case - he knows all things insurance. Can you wait until tomorrow (ish) when his hangover subsides?

I'd be interested to hear "bruv's" views, but will also let my insurance co. know tomorrow what the other buggers are up to. Mind you, they're prolly up to the same tricks ::)

I'm inclined to put a copy of the letter in my neighbour's post box too; he might want to investigate further and ask Questions

Me bruv is a self-employed motor loss adjuster and thus not linked to a company spiel. What he will (eventually) spout forth will be diamonds and pearls of insurance-related wisdom. He might be a bit of a p-tank, but he knows his stuff.
Title: Re: Insurance claims
Post by: Pastis on March 11, 2009, 08:48:11 AM: Thanks. happy088
Title: Re: Insurance claims
Post by: Barman on March 11, 2009, 10:31:55 AM: Part of the problem must be that a huge repair industry has been built-up on the back of inflated repair charges for 'Insurance Jobs'...

It has always infuriated me that when you go to buy a second hand motor and spot a dent or scrape the response is always "That's nuffink mate, will take us abart five minutes to put that right like"...

But get a quote for an insurance job for the same dent it is loads of sucking air through teeth and huge lists of parts that need to be replaced and sprayed...

Arseholes.
Title: Re: Insurance claims
Post by: Pastis on March 11, 2009, 09:01:02 PM: I've had another letter... more verging on the intimidating language evil:
Title: Re: Insurance claims
Post by: Miss Demeanour on March 12, 2009, 07:58:40 AM: Stick to your guns and just refer everything to your own insurance company.
Confirm with the letter writers that you will not be dealing with anybody directly and that you find the tone and language of their letters inappropriate and aggressive. You will of course also be notifying the Insurance Ombudsmen of this practice whistle:
Also notify your neighbour that dealing with this matter and his insurance company is taking a considerable amount of your time and that you are also being subjected to 'harassment' from the company.

Barstewards evil:
Title: Re: Insurance claims
Post by: Darwins Selection on March 12, 2009, 09:12:12 AM: Quote from: Miss Demeanor on March 12, 2009, 07:58:40 AM
Stick to your guns and just refer everything to your own insurance company.
Confirm witrh the letter writers that you will not be dealing with anybody directly and that you find the tone and language of their letters inappropiate and aggressive. You will of course also be notifying the Insurance Ombudsmen of this practice whistle:
Also notify your neighbour that dealing with this matter and his insurance company is taking a considerable amount of your time and that you are also being subjected to 'harrassment' from the company.

Barstewards evil:

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scared2:
Title: Re: Insurance claims
Post by: Miss Demeanour on March 12, 2009, 09:17:32 AM: That's a point - I'm only down the road rubschin:

Pastis - happy to 'be present' during any discussions whistle:
Title: Re: Insurance claims
Post by: Pastis on March 12, 2009, 09:37:52 AM: The irony is that the claim is being processed, the damage assessment done, the courtesy car is on its way, mine will be driven off for repair etc etc. I've confirmed that I'm not entering a credit hire agreement with the repair company and it is genuinely a courtesy car (I should see what it is in about 20 mins).

Just in case anybody's curious Saga Motor Insurance is in fact Acromas Insurance, a company registered in Gibraltar and they have an extraordinary way with words.

Katanas at the ready then, Miss D ;)
Title: Re: Insurance claims
Post by: Miss Demeanour on March 12, 2009, 09:43:47 AM: I'm ready 8)

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Title: Re: Insurance claims
Post by: Snoopy on March 12, 2009, 09:48:28 AM: I insure her ladyship's car with L&V via the CSMA.
My car, being a lease agreement with Motability, is insured by them with someone or other ~ I care not.
When I had a claim on the motability car (some dozy bint backed into my stationary vehicle in a public car park) her insurers (Sheila's Wheels ~ wouldn't you have guessed it) tried this stunt, with increasing aggressiveness. Told them to p*ss orf several times, then they tried to weasel out of paying my excess of £75. I threatened to sue and they finally paid up and a week later they paid up again ~ (I kept quiet and banked the cheques)
Title: Re: Insurance claims
Post by: Pastis on March 12, 2009, 03:47:50 PM: No excess to pay here. I'm now in possession of a brand new, shiny, black Seat Ibiza eeek:
Seems quite adequate for my needs.
Title: Re: Insurance claims
Post by: Nick on March 12, 2009, 05:00:22 PM: You could take yer girlfriend for a spin, like whistle:
Title: Re: Insurance claims
Post by: Pastis on March 12, 2009, 05:05:04 PM: Now there's a thought whistle:

doh:
Title: Re: Insurance claims
Post by: Nick on March 12, 2009, 05:05:51 PM: eveilgrin:
Title: Re: Insurance claims
Post by: Pastis on March 12, 2009, 06:09:20 PM: Where's the wooden spoon emoticon when you need it? Shrugs:
Title: Re: Insurance claims
Post by: Snoopy on March 12, 2009, 07:59:25 PM: Look in the cake mix Nick has on the side in the kitchen.
Title: Re: Insurance claims
Post by: Miss Demeanour on March 13, 2009, 07:49:50 AM: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article5897867.ece (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article5897867.ece)

Scratches in car paintwork could become a thing of the past thanks to research that has made self-repairing paint a realistic possibility. Scientists in the United States have developed a type of polyurethane coating that mends itself in less than an hour when exposed to sunlight. They plan to develop it as a paint for cars and other surfaces that are subjected to heavy wear and tear

I'm sure your insurance policy will also cover this Pastis in years to come lol:
Title: Re: Insurance claims
Post by: Darwins Selection on March 13, 2009, 09:41:38 AM: Quote from: Miss Demeanor on March 13, 2009, 07:49:50 AM
They plan to develop it as a paint for cars and other surfaces that are subjected to heavy wear and tear

Nick could get his ears or our patience resprayed. whistle:
Title: Re: Insurance claims
Post by: Nick on March 13, 2009, 09:44:31 AM: evil:
Title: Re: Insurance claims
Post by: Miss Demeanour on March 13, 2009, 10:45:18 AM: Quote from: Darwins Selection on March 13, 2009, 09:41:38 AM
Quote from: Miss Demeanor on March 13, 2009, 07:49:50 AM
They plan to develop it as a paint for cars and other surfaces that are subjected to heavy wear and tear

Nick could get his ears or our patience resprayed. whistle:

Can you easily locate your patience then ? - I think mine rusted and fell off eeek:
Title: Re: Insurance claims
Post by: Darwins Selection on March 13, 2009, 11:26:15 AM: Quote from: Miss Demeanor on March 13, 2009, 10:45:18 AM
Quote from: Darwins Selection on March 13, 2009, 09:41:38 AM
Quote from: Miss Demeanor on March 13, 2009, 07:49:50 AM
They plan to develop it as a paint for cars and other surfaces that are subjected to heavy wear and tear

Nick could get his ears or our patience resprayed. whistle:

Can you easily locate your patience then ? - I think mine rusted and fell off eeek:

lol: lol:
I expect Snoopy could sniff it out.
Title: Re: Insurance claims
Post by: Miss Demeanour on March 13, 2009, 11:29:48 AM: Not before lunch though noooo:
Title: Re: Insurance claims
Post by: Pastis on March 26, 2009, 04:49:22 PM: Update:
All resolved, motor repaired, resprayed and looking like a new pin angel1 . Smells of furniture polish due to the total valet inside and out, the other insurance co. pleas have gone unanswered...

I've decided to park the motor the other way round now, so if he happens to reverse quickly and scrape mine .... that'll be the offside reverse wing fixed too ... eveilgrin:
Title: Re: Insurance claims
Post by: Snoopy on March 26, 2009, 04:53:28 PM: happy088
Title: Re: Insurance claims
Post by: Pastis on March 30, 2009, 05:38:01 PM: I can't be bovvered to start a new thread although it's probably well deserved...

The motor insurance is up for renewal; no problem. A quick check on prices and I'm happy to let the direct debit continue and no action is required from me, except that... due to government legislation the correspondence from the insurance company ran to, wait for it...

27 Pages + a 12 Page Glossy Brochure!

WTF happened to the paperless office, the economy of electronic communications, saving resources? ::) ::)
Title: Re: Insurance claims
Post by: Snoopy on March 30, 2009, 05:54:26 PM: Out the window ~ like all their other promises.