What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
Car Hire Companies - Help! - car107

Please can anybody give advice?

In Jan 2010 a van rear ended my car after skidding in the snow, the third party admitted liability on the spot. So I gave my car to mercedes dealership to be repaired who gave me a hire car through Brittania Assist who were more than willing to give me a hire car. They dropped it off at my place of work where I signed for the car and they picked it up 5 days later, no problems. No price given for the car just what I thought was paparwork to take charge of it. Although I am the owner and insurance holder of my car, my husband was driving at the time of the accident and I was a passenger. (He is a named driver on the policy.)

Then, 4 months after the accident I get a letter from my solicitors saying the third party had now producted a witness who says is was my fault and because of the witness it would be pointless for me to go to court as I would lose! Obviously I was fuming over this as it was clearly the third party's fault but could not afford court costs, so had to let it go.

Now, 3 years later I have had numerous letters off a solicitors trying to recover the money from me for the hire car as they couldnt get it from the third party. The company Brittania Assist went into administration in Oct 2010 so no longer exists. My solicitors from the accident says they cannot force me to pay it as I was not the driver of the car but to be honest are not very helpful in dealing with this. The solicitors trying to relaim the money still keep sending me threatening letters implying court action, unless I pay in full for 5 days hire at £165 per day!

Any advice anyone?

Many thanks.

Car Hire Companies - Help! - Palcouk

It was a mistake not to respond to the origonal (4 months later) letter, your solicitors advice appears on the face of it to be wanting.

Your solicitors appear to be somewhat wanting in their advice, it would'nt be a solicitor appointed by some insurance policy would it, as apposed to a solicitor you consulted independently?

Solicitors provided by insurance/third party are acting in the interest of that third party and not you.

Perhaps either consult your own independent solicitor or send the claiment a dissist or proccede notice/response

Car Hire Companies - Help! - thunderbird

You were given really bad advice. there is no way any court would have found a driver who had skidded into the rear of your car on snow not guilty even with a witness who magically appeared a couple of weeks later, possibly one of the drivers mates.

The solicitor should have called their bluff, they would soon have changed tack.

Bit late now though.

Car Hire Companies - Help! - car107

Yes you guess right Palcouk - my insurance company appointed my solicitors. They have been not very good to say the least. They never return my calls and dont reply to my emails either. Obviously not interested.

I will look into sending a dissist or proceede notice, thanks for the advice.