On 23rd July 2012 I was involved in a minor accident. The circumstances were (at least in my mind) pretty straightforward. I had entered the Waitrose carpark in Wantage. The carpark was about two thirds empty. As I was driving up the designated driveway there were cars parked to my right against a low wall. The cars were generally parked - car, two spaces car, two spaces etc so that it was necessary to park alongside another car. On my left, the parking spaces were designated for disabled/ mothers and was mostly clear. I chose to park in a space to my right alongside a car parked nose in. I always reverse park – it was mandatory where I worked for safety reasons, and as I live off a busy road, I always reverse in to my drive. I swung over to my left and began to reverse, keeping a close watch in my nearside wing mirror to ensure I was parallel with the parked car and at a suitable distance away. Whilst reversing I saw the reversing lights come on on the parked car. I stopped (what else would anyone do in these circumstances?) and waited to see what the parked car was going to do. It was a matter of a second or less before the parked car reversed out at speed, the offside wing swinging round and clipping my rear nearside bumper.

I spoke to the lady concerned and she admitted that she had not seen me. The car was her husbands company car and I later found out he worked for Coca-Cola Enterprises. I informed my insurance company – Admiral and they put me on to their claims people Albany Assist. Albany didn’t show much interest to start with when I told them I didn’t need a hire car. However, eventually I got my car repaired (15 Aug 2012) and was left with a £250 excess to pay and this was taken up by Albany Assist who I must say have accepted all along that I am not at fault.

Admiral meanwhile had contacted the lady in the other car and recorded a conversation in which she again reiterated that she had not seen me. Admiral and Albany Assist have confirmed to me that they believe my version of what happened and are pressing a claim against the 3rd part insurance – RAC Fleet services.

The next thing that happened was a letter from RAC Fleet Services (8 Oct 2012) saying that unless I paid them £358.96 within 14 days they were going to take me to Court. I regarded this as blatant harassment and told Albany this and sent them a letter to that effect saying that I would be quite happy to attend Court.

Since then, despite several phone call nothing has happened. I am just told that it is in the hands of the solicitors. I am still £250 out of pocket and as I am told I will not get any interest on this, I am in effect giving RAC Fleet Services a £250 interest free loan.

On 1st December 2012 I wrote a letter to Simon Baldry MD of Coca Cola Enterprises (Company Values include Integrity and Accountability) asking him if he could take some action to sort this out but, as I half expected, received no response.

Is there anything I can do to force the issue? Is there an Insurance Ombudsman I can appeal to or should I write the FSA? Grateful for any advise you can give me. I can supply copies of letters if required. How long should these claims take to get sorted out?

Altogether, for the sum of money involved putting this in the hands of solicitors seems a classic WOMBAT – waste of money, brains and time as far as the insurance companies are concerned. Or perhaps that is why I am getting no response.