Waylander Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 Hi Had prang with a motorbike [it hit me while I was parked] as discussed here: accident info Anyway I just took the car for an estimate from the Smith Knight Fay Bodyshop manager. He inspected it and agree to all the things that need doing but then said something which leaves me [paranoia mode on full alert] slightly uneasy: he told me [if the insurance contact me again] to say that I am not proceding with the claim at this stage. Said he deals with a company called LCM which would deal with the 3rd party directly and not involve my insurance at all. I told him my insurance already knew i was coming for a quote off him but he reiterated to tell them i wasn't going ahead and leave it all with him....why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHA Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 Hmmm sounds a bit fishy to be honest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 Almost certainly because he gets a kickback from the third party accident claim handling company I'd guess. You can be sure it'll cost someone more that way (although not you I shouldn't think). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 But no smear on the NCD records Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted May 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 but this should be a non-fault claim for me anyway so no problem with my NCD?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHA Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 I believe that is the case in non-fault claims. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted May 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 in which case it shouldn't be a concern for me, nor should the £100 excess ultimately. I take it really it is just about him getting a kickback then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pincher Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 [ QUOTE ] But no smear on the NCD records [/ QUOTE ] Not sure on that one - I think you are obliged to inform any prospective new Insurance Co that you had been in contact with your previous Co with a view to making a claim, even if that claim was never made. Whether it affects you actual NCD, I have no idea but it may have an impact on any quote, as you may be seen as being a higher risk, even though you didn't claim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 Probably. Thing is, who pays for these third party handling companies? The insurance company of the person at fault. And who, ultimately, funds insurance companies? We all do. So if their costs go up, it costs us more. I think these third party companies are a little like these "no win no fee " ambulance chasing solicitors, out to make a buck out of someone elses problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insurance Jon Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 [ QUOTE ] But no smear on the NCD records [/ QUOTE ] Under new FSA rules they will inform your insurers who may suspend your ncd as normal until the claim is settled. ULR companies (thats what LCR are) aremaking the money off suing the other side and charging over inflated car hire costs to the other side. The garage will have the following benefits: 1. @£200 commission from LCR 2. Hire car from LCR so not tying up one of their courtsessy cars. Benefits to you - none negatives to you - you lose the 3 yr guarantee on repairs given by your insurers. Hope tha helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted May 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 I am sure they are. To be honest First Alternative have been very good with me so far [although even they use Drive Assist ie a 3rd party company] hence I find myself in a funny position - I asked for a quote to be faxed to the Insurance company, he has now put me in the "leave it with me, don't tell them" position. Not sure how to extraicate from this mess nicely - bearing in mind if the quote is fairly high I would have to wait a couple of weeks at worst for the Engineer to come round to inspect the car and approve the repairs.....why me?!?!?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 I would go with your insurance comppany, and pay the £100 excess - which you should get back. No point trying to line his pocket - let some-one else do that. Also, if he is that dodgy - will his standard of work be up to scratch? What guarantee on the work will you get if he does it under this 'deal'? There is no way you can go back to your insurance company and complain about it if things are wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 Let me get this right. He wants you to lie to your insurance company by saying you're not proceeding when you (really) are. There is no benefit to you in this scheme, but he is no doubt making a fat profit which we all indirectly fund. The NCB issue is not really relevant - you have to tell other insurers about accidents, not claims. And if you have a protected NCB then a non-fault claim should not affect it. I'd run a mile, me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pincher Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I'd run a mile, me. [/ QUOTE ] What he said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted May 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 I agree with this Cruiser but my point was that the work would be done by the VAG bodywork shop in this case so all I wanted from him was a quote to send them. I could go with the Approved repairer [even then I don't pay the excess] and will speak to them tomorrow maybe. All i really wanted was a quote faxed to the insurer with a yay go ahead or a nay until our engineer inspects from them but have no idea how to do this now short of ringing him tomorrow and telling him to fax the quote and no doubt p*ssing him off at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted May 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 would you recommed that I just ring him and say I want him to just fax the quote to my insurer and leave at that or go see the approved repairer engineer first? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 Don't forget that you are the 'boss' in this case - You can make and change whatever decisions you want and all you need do is be courteous to all concerned. "Sorry, mate, I've given it some further thought and want to do etc. But thanks for advising me." In fact you are not obliged to justify your decisions to anyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted May 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 Yes Thanks Red - was giving it some thought and was planning to do along the lines you say. There are advantages as he basically agreed with me to fix all scratches on that side of the car and re-Diamondbrite it as well as change the whole driver's mirror [not just the casing, as i said it is starting to drift a bit]... The only potential "loss" for me via this route is time: If Roberget Burgess take the car they were booking it in for next week, as was VAG-man via his dodge-route. I could push Esure and say that as I have no spare wheel I am in an unsafe situation and they need to chivvy it along [the comeback could be though: fine, use our garage then]. Appreciate the input from people more clued-in on these matters! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustynuts Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Yes Thanks Red - was giving it some thought and was planning to do along the lines you say. There are advantages as he basically agreed with me to fix all scratches on that side of the car and re-Diamondbrite it as well as change the whole driver's mirror [not just the casing, as i said it is starting to drift a bit]... The only potential "loss" for me via this route is time: If Roberget Burgess take the car they were booking it in for next week, as was VAG-man via his dodge-route. I could push "<font color="red">Esure </font> " and say that as I have no spare wheel I am in an unsafe situation and they need to chivvy it along [the comeback could be though: fine, use our garage then]. Appreciate the input from people more clued-in on these matters! [/ QUOTE ] Oh Feck! Go with Audi!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted May 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 why? As I said, to be fair they have been fine so far. Probably doesn't make much of a difference but it is "First Alternative" and nor Esure directly... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustynuts Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 Esure's "recommended repair shop" (Richmond Body Repair Centre) fecked my engine by putting completely the wrong oil in it and overfilling it by a mile, chipped my bonnet paintwork while "test driving it" (by the look of things), refused to admit that they'd done anything wrong and provided their own 5 year warranty on the repair. This meant that the VW warranty was invalid for the entire engine, or at least all the parts which get touched by the oil, and their warranty was limited to the sump which they replaced. Esure took their side!!!!! The repair shop stated that "No one told us it needed special oil!" Esure said that they were quite satisfied with the workmanship, FFS. I'll never use Esure again while I've still got a hole in my arse! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted May 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 I take your point. Thinking about it a little more i realised that my concern is just who would take any "comeback" if anything went wrong with the repair....at least that is cut and dried if the insurer authorises them [with VAG], I would avoid the problem you highlight here [which was also a concern] if i insist on VAG-repair and not the approved repairer, whereas if i go directly to VAG-man i might struggle... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 I've thought about this a little more over the weekend. At the moment, your insurance company is on the hook for the repair cost and they will claim it back from the biker. This situation is good, from your perspective. Let's say you speak to your insurance company and tell them that you're not pursuing the claim. As far as they are concerned, they are then off the hook. If they are in contact with the biker then they may write to him as part of their "close file" procedure. Then LCM take up the case on your behalf, and write to the biker telling him they wish to make a claim. Now, if I was the biker I would then point to the insurer's letter and say "Err, sorry, your client has waived his claim. No deal." Then you're left with a broken car, an insurer who is no longer on the hook, and a third party who probably is on the hook but needs lots of legal work to persuade him to part with the cash. Not tempting, IMHO. Even if everthing works out and nothing goes wrong, I'm still left wondering "why should you bother?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drpellypo Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 This whole thread brings to mind the old saying, 'Honesty is the best policy.' Wise words, and it's more often than not true! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 Claim Claim Claim, feck him. It's his fault. Non fault accidents will affect your policy, not by much, but a little (it's a sad case of them screwing you any which way they can) But it's too late, your insurance has already noted the accident. I've been screwed by a similar situation where further down the line the third party didn't turn out to be the nice bloke that accidently bumped into me that i thought. Just let your insurance company deal with it and don't talk to him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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