At least you weren't hurt, Blue. Stand in front of a mirror and repeat 10 times... 'It's only a lump of metal'.
Good luck getting it fixed.
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Extremely bad luck Blue. DVD beat me to it, your first call this morning is to the town hall to check the driver's badge number. I hope we are wrong but the insurance tale rouses my suspicions too.
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Sadly this appears 'iffy' to me too. I was involved in an accident when a so called minicab driver pulled out on me from a side turning one afternoon. Apparently he didn't see my nice big white volvo estate with its lights on! Anyway, there was no doubt as to blame and police sent us both away with a request to produce documents. Naively I thought it'd all be sorted out at no cost to myself however it went down as a claim on my insurance. I was initially told I'd be able to reclaim my £100 excess however the guy turned out to be moonlighting with no proper insurance and outstanding CCJ's so I was advised not to bother trying to get the money. Result - I was £100 down with a claim against my insurers. Fortunately I had a protected NCD so didn't suffer further. Hope you're more fortunate BO.
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I was thinking that the insurance issue sounded ropey too - don't Taxi drivers have to have some degree of public liability insurance as well?
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Oh dear! :(
Regarding the excess - Mine was £450 and there was no way I had enough money to pay it when someone went in the back of me in March. Explained this to my insurance company and they put me in touch with a group who took care of it completely, and claimed everything off the other person's insurance.
You could do this yourself of course, and contact his insurer when you have the details, but that relies on the other person actually reporting the collision to their insurer and I'm not convinced that they will. The external company (not sure if I can name them but feel free to get my email address and I'll pass on the number) seemed to have more clout in this area.
Hope that helps, and yes it is only metal but it doesn't stop you feeling awful for a bit. You'll have to buy the car a treat when she's all fixed to make up for it!
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From my days driving a taxi belonging to someone else, I never had any insurance documentation or indeed even a clue as to which company I was insured with.
So, his story could be entirely true - fingers crossed!
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Well, all I can say is that it was a large specialist and supposedly professional outfit who were supposed to be chasing my claim for excess reimbursement. They were totally useless! Umpteen letters reporting no progress and asking me for the same information; none signed (or even containing the author's name) and each liberally sprinkled with childlike spelling mistakes ! In the end (over a year later IIRC) they managed to discover the driver in question had all sorts of outstanding CCJ's etc. so gave up. When I asked why they hadn't saved everyone a whole lot of time/effort by checking him for CCJ's from the outset they couldn't answer. I don't know how they get paid but can only conclude it must have more to do with the amount of amateurish and superfluous correspondence they generate than their ability to get results.
So BO by all means take that route (especially where the firm is recommended and if it isn't going to cost you £££'s) but don't expect too much and you won't be disappointed. Good luck.
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Really sorry to hear about this, Blue. It must have been a real shock and a horrible start to the year for you.
I'm just glad that you yourself did not suffer any injury.
Take care
HF
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Thanks everyone, I am very pleased that no one was hurt, which is the main thing.
I'll let everyone know what happens, the taxi driver wants to arrange a repair himself rather than involve insurance companies, he's calling tommorow so hopefully we can come to an agreement.
I had the car looked at today and all appears well, it seems that it is only the bumper that has light damage and nothing else, although it will need removing to be sure that the supports and stuff behind it is ok.
Anyway, will update everyone when I know what's happening!
Blue
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But doesn't your neck hurt Blue Oval ???? ;o)
It always does with a rear end shunt, doesn't it?....
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He he
Yes, this type of accident often has that effect :-) However, I've been in two accidents of this type, and the design of the rear bumpers seems to have protected me and my passengers well in both impacts. Which is good, I suppose...
Anyway, I told the guy today that I wanted it fixing at my place of choice as I was concerned about the warranty.
He has then said he would like me to have it done at a coachworks in Newcastle where he will pay cash and claims that this particular place do work for the largest Ford dealership group in the area. In order to save any insurance hassle I might go along with this assuming that:-
-The story checks out with the dealers, and they do in fact use them.
-They give me a courtesy car
-I get the usual written warrantys from the company rather than it been a cash job on the side.
If this all checks out ok tommorow then I think this is how I will go about it, if not, I will insist on my own place and just lodge a claim against his insurers if necessary.
Blue
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Quick question -
If I insist on an insurance job, will the fact that I have two identical non-fault accidents in the space of a year and a half make any difference to likely quotes?
Blue
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Shouldn't affect the premium if you shop around, but there are a couple of companys that will make an 'adjustment' (why do they never 'adjust' downwards?)
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Right, I told the guy that I wanted to go through my own repairer and he wasn't too impressed, reckoned that his insurer could force me to go through someone cheaper.
I don't think that this is the case. Anyway, I contacted his insurers, they refused to even make a note of my claim as he hadn't contacted them yet.
He (the company owner) then rang me back asking me to send the bill to the taxi driver who hit me.
I'm trying to get in touch with the driver, but I refuse to have the work done on the promise that the driver will pay, I don't mind letting him pay provided he pays before the work is carried out.
If this is how complex the accident has got without any dispute over liability can anyone imagine how bad it would be if there was some dispute!?
Will keep you all updated.
Blue
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Anyway, I contacted his insurers, they refused to even make a note of my claim as he hadn't contacted them yet.
This sounds very dodgy to me, If I run into someone and I don't tell my insurer then they can't claim !!!!!!
Surely this is wrong, any of you insurance guru's out there know for sure??
(Glass-Tech)
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This sounds very dodgy to me, If I run into someone and I don't tell my insurer then they can't claim !!!!!! Surely this is wrong, any of you insurance guru's out there know for sure??
Not an insurance guru, but this is exactly what happened to me when someone drove in the back of Polo last year. I knew I couldn't afford my excess, so tried phoning the other guy's insurance co to claim direct from them, but he hadn't reported it yet. Their argument (which I suppose it right) is that anyhone could phone up and say someone had driven into them, and they want to claim, and they exist to protect their insured party, not you, so you have to wait for the other person to report it.
Have to say as soon as the group I mentioned earlier got involved, it all went through very quickly and it might nbot have done otherwise.
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Mr Oval (can I call you "Blue"?). But seriously......
I understand why you would want to keep goodwill and give the offending driver the opportunity to sort this outside of the insurance co. However, I would be getting a bit nervous by now and would start looking for a solicitor to hand this over to.
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I have just skimmed over this thread but it seems obvious to me the driver who hit your car was not insured to drive for the taxi firm in question and he/they are trying to fob you off so this fact does not come to light.
Time to get the police involved I think...
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I had a similar problem some years ago when I was back-ended by someone travelling at high speed. His engine fell onto the floor, and my car was telescoped. I got his home address, but not his insurance as he didn't have it to hand. I was shook up and had to arrange for my car to be removed. No police about so it was left to ourselves to sort out. Next day he refused to give me any info when I 'phoned him, and the police didn't want to know when I told them of the situation. I knew he was with a broker so I 'phoned around and eventually got the name of his insurance company and his policy number. The insurers told me they would take no action as he hadn't informed them.
The guy was a scrap metal merchant, and worth a few bob, so I visited a solicitor and it eventually went to the county court. His insurers were represented, and I got paid out for loss of salary and compensation as well as repairs to my vehicle. It must have been an expensive business for them as I was represented by a well known barrister.
If you have any problems I should hot foot it to a decent solicitor.
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Not a full and final answer, but from my recent experience when someone scraped the side when I was parked:
reckoned that his insurer could force me to go through someone cheaper.
Not strictly true. If you claim of his policy then you can take it wherever you like. His insurer has to approve the estimate you get and will probably inspect the vehicle (I think this depends on the cost and who you take it to) but they can't force you to go where they say. You are in effect claiming off them, not getting them to fix it. I think it's different if you get your insurer to deal with it though.
I don't think that this is the case. Anyway, I contacted his insurers, they refused to even make a note of my claim as he hadn't contacted them yet.
Sounds odd - surely they should at least contact him to say someone has lodged a claim against him?
He (the company owner) then rang me back asking me to send the bill to the taxi driver who hit me.
As others have said, cash up front...
The advice I've had from Mark and others in this sort of situation seems good here - let your insurance company deal with it. They know all the dodges and shortcuts and once it gets away from being a simple claim they are best to handle it. You've given the chap the chance to sort it in a way amenable to both parties and he's refused. I admit I tried to keep the cost down when I had my shunt in the Tipo but I'd always agreed to pay upfront...
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AR,
This situation is now covered by the European Communities (Rights Against Insurers) Regulations 2002, which came into effect on 19 January 2003. This gives all residents of Member States the right to issue proceedings direct against the motor insurer of the (allegedly) negligent driver. So, if the other insurer tries to hide behind the usual story of "Our policyholder has yet to tell us about this" you can gently remind them that in view of this Regulation you are not going to wait forever and a day to see your claim settled. Furthermore, this Regulation is thought to be restrospective, so should apply to accidents that pre-date 19 Jan 03.
CG
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Thanks very much CG. I wish I'd known that before I'd spoken to them, mightn't have been so easy for them to Fob me off!
However, I think it is on it's way to been settled, the taxi company owner seems to be a reasonable guy, the driver himself gave me some stick on the phone and accused me of being unreasonable for refusing to let them fix it in their own repairers who I have found out do NOT do any work for the Ford dealers. Would you put your car in a garage when you've been lied to about their credentials?
Anyway, the taxi company owner is posting a cheque to another repairer of my choice who provided a lower quote but I am quite happy with, they are a large enough business and have a good reputation. As soon as that has cleared they will fix the car and then nobody has to worry about insurance claims. :-)
With a bit of luck I will also get to try the new Micra as my courtesy car, just like Pologirl, it's not as good as the Golf TDi that I was hoping for but beggars can't be choosers! ;-)
Blue
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With a bit of luck I will also get to try the new Micra as my courtesy car, just like Pologirl,
Oh that's not luck.... you must have done something really bad in a previous life to have this hassle and then get a Micra as a courtesy car!
Before I break out in a cold sweat...tell me you're not in Walsall and it's not a red Micra?
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blue o:
as i say many times my dad ex-motor insurance co. man.
he think your case very very very dodgy.
never ever worth taking such risk.
must report claim/accident to them even if not claiming.
so he say very best luck hoping nothing goes wrong with repair.
make sure your courtesy car fully insured.
and watch out for high excess on courtesy car.
not uncommon to say you damaged tyres/rim or scratched paint.
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Don't worry PoloGirl, I'm not in Walsall, and I think most of their Micras are silver and blue!
Dalglish, thanks, I will be checking the insurance on the courtesy car, I would rather drive my dad's car 3rd party only than a courtesy car on third party only! If that is the case then I will leave their car behind and just use my dad's car as I think it would cost less to replace than a New Micra
I'll be careful about the scratch thing, but I think they're ok, they are one of the largest bodyshops in the city and I've never heard any bad press.
Blue
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Well, the cheque was received by the repairer last week, I'm expecting a call today or tommorow to arrange an appointment to have the car fixed, we just wanted to wait for it to clear first. :-)
Blue
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Blue,
Just read this thread. I know you're getting your car fixed etc etc but please for a second think laterally.
As others have said, does this not whiff of an uninsured operation, be it the driver or the firm?
Then imagine yourself or girlfriend, wife, oh hell even a loved one ;) in a taxi operated by this firm when the unfortunate happens and they need lifelong medical care as a result. Or forementioned gf / swmbo / loved one takes a cab operated by an unchecked driver maybe with dodgy background and.......
Face facts, it's an uninsured cowboy outfit operating on the margins of legality I'll be bound. Speak to the traffic commissioners and get them taken off the road once your car is fixed to your satisfaction.
You know it makes sense.
Just my 2p, FiF
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I hear what you're saying, but I know that they are insured, because Zenith confirmed the existence of their policy, but refused to do anything about it because they hadn't been contacted by the driver yet!
They do have all of the required hackney carriage licence thingies, I noted the number.
I honestly think that they just really, really don't want to use their insurance. They were under the impression that they would have to pay the excess, which they explained was £500! Given the circumstances I can see why they wouldn't want the insurance catching wind of it.
In my own case I reckon any accident would have to cause about £800 - £1000 worth of damage to my car before it would be worth my while claiming, I have a £500 excess myself!
Blue
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OK furry nuff, point taken.
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Correct me if I am wrong, but I am under the impression that both parties to an "incident" are under an obligation to report it to their insurers as it is a "material fact". If you hide this from your insurer your insurance could become void.
Reporting an incident does not constitute a claim and your insurance company should be able to recover any "uninsured loss" from the third party if clearly at fault.
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Yay! Got the car back from the repairers and she's all better, professional and very quick service from the repairers who did it in less than 24 hours.
The colour match seems excellent, the alignment is good too, so overall I'm very happy. :-)
Blue
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Excellent, Blue. I'm pleased for you.
From what HF tells me, it seems that everything's clicking into place for you right now! ;-)
Take care
Rob
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