Car a write off

[Petal~flower]

My car is now a write off, after being hit in a car park while I was at work (only had the car since April :(

At least the person who hit it was decent enough to leave their details.

Someone said to me that I may have to pay the excess. I cant see why as it was not my fault.

Please someone tell me I dont have to!

[Ethel]

If you don't involve your insurance company at all and handle it yourself, you will not pay an excess.

This can take time, however. If you claim through your own insurance company, they should pay up relatively quickly - less the excess.

When and if they get the money back from the third party, the excess should be refunded to you.

[Jugglering]

The excess is just an amount which determines whether you pay or the insurance company pay. Beyond that (ie greater than the excess then the insurance company will pay - provided the repairs do not cost more than the vehicle is worth). Less than the excess - that is what the insurance company expect you to pay yourself for any necessary repairs. It means that the insurance company don't get bothered with claims under a certain value.

Don't forget - the *no claims bonus* is just that... it's not a *no blaim bonus*... Even if you are not at fault, if you claim then this might affect your no-claims bonus (unless it is protected... but that's likely to be only for one or two claims anyway).

PS My car was recently damaged by a driver who didn't even bother to stop and leave his/her details.... The assessor determined that the repairs required would cost more than the value of the car (well, they do go for replacement wings, doors etc, instead of pulling out dents etc) so it would be uneconomical to repair. I would have ended up with no vehicle, financial reparation as per their estimate of my car's worth and a lot of hassle.. I ended up deciding to pay (in a local garage, rather than a big dealership) for the necessary repairs, which was going to be less than my excess, just to keep my lovely car.

The big accident assessors usually just recommend replacement parts, rather than repairs and the rates appear to be seriously inflated .....

[Petal~flower]

Thanks Ethel and Jugglering. Yes Ethel I did inform my insurance company. I was also given a courtesy car, which I took the option of paying �4 a day for insurance incase it got damaged (07 reg) and I was nervous. But been told I cannot claim that money back, which is a bummer as I have had the car for 2 weeks now.

I was offered a payment for my car, which I accepted, though was told by someone that I should of suggested taking the car back and getting it repaired myself. But if the garage said the cost of repair to my car was worth more than the car itself (I know nothing about cars) I didnt want to take that risk.

So will be out of pocket because of the insurance on the courtesy car, which I didnt realise at the time.

Thanks for your help

[Ethel]

Petal - Flower

Sorry you've had such a rubbish time.

However, the incidentals such as car hire, insurance excess and any other costs this accident has incurred (taxi fares, phone calls and so on) are uninsured losses but you can claim them from the other sides insurance company.

If you have legal expense cover on your insurance policy, they will chase it up for you. Otherwise you can do it yourself. :)

You will need receipts of any expense you claim for.

[Petal~flower]

Thanks again Ethel for your help. When I spoke to the courtesy car compay yesterday, I was told I would not be able to get back the 4 quid a day I am paying. She said it stated that on the receipt. I told her I had not received a receipt yet.

Its all been a hassle I could do without. Lost my lovely car too.

But thank you again Ethel for your help and advice. I have never been in this positon before, so its all new ground for me.

[sleepyj]

hi u can have the car back and the money the insurance are going to give u ..u might be able to get it fixed some where else cheaper if the damage is not to bad .