Rear ended..... eye watering repair costs

[markjay]

You can also claim for depreciation, generally work's out at 10%, but this figure can vary case by case. Because it has been damaged, and as such, is no longer "Original Condition".

Correct, and this generally applies to new cars (up to one year old), with a lower percentage up to three years old, and nothing after that.

 

[E53AMG]

Hmmm...I hope you've never complained about premiums increasing. Did you really need to turn a £360 incident into a £7K+ claim?

Never complained about Direct Line's premiums increasing, leave that to those foolish enough to believe their huge ad campaigns and insure with them. Their incompetence has not effected my premiums at all!

I didn't really need their insured to drive into my vehicle whilst not paying attention, my goal was to increase her premium substantially which I am sure was adequately achieved ;-).

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[E53AMG]

I've spent 45 years paying car insurance premiums (subsidising others) - in that time I've been in 2 accidents, both of which, were not my fault and damage was paid for by the other party. Sometimes, I wish I could get some of my money back.

Well I just showed you how you can ;-).

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[Rory]

Well I just showed you how you can ;-).

You didn't actually get anything back - need to fake a bit of neck pain etc for that. Indeed it cost you money as you had to fuel the Jag for several weeks!

I do understand the sentiment though, and many people feel they're "entitled" to a like-for-like for car, whether they really need one of not. But shit happens and it seems slightly absurd that a minor bump can result in a bill out of all proportion (and even that seems an understatment) to the original damage.

 

[E53AMG]

You didn't actually get anything back - need to fake a bit of neck pain etc for that. Indeed it cost you money as you had to fuel the Jag for several weeks!

I do understand the sentiment though, and many people feel they're "entitled" to a like-for-like for car, whether they really need one of not. But shit happens and it seems slightly absurd that a minor bump can result in a bill out of all proportion (and even that seems an understatment) to the original damage.

I agree expected DL to chase the repairs through in the circumstances or at least call me/the garage to see how things were progressing or at least to get an ETA but they didn't. In fact if I decided I liked the XJ as a replacement I reckon I could have kept it at their expense indefinitely as I just completely slipped off their radar!!

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[markjay]

You didn't actually get anything back - need to fake a bit of neck pain etc for that. Indeed it cost you money as you had to fuel the Jag for several weeks!

I do understand the sentiment though, and many people feel they're "entitled" to a like-for-like for car, whether they really need one of not. But shit happens and it seems slightly absurd that a minor bump can result in a bill out of all proportion (and even that seems an understatment) to the original damage.

The damage is not limited to the broken metal (or plastic).

Not having a car (if you dont have another vehicle), having to spend some of your own time taking your car to the garage to be repaired - potentially having to take half day off work - are all consequential damages. Aa is being kept on hold for half hour when calling the other party's insurer. Or having an accident (albeit a no-fault one) recordes against you with your insurer.

One careless action or a moment of distraction by one driver can inflict quite a lot of inconvenience and costs on another driver, well beyond the physical damage (to the bumper, in this case).

 

[Oldbarrack]

One careless action or a moment of distraction by one driver can inflict quite a lot of inconvenience and costs on another driver, well beyond the physical damage (to the bumper, in this case).

Very true - following an incident with an East European driver dropping a pallet-lift on my wifes old BMW touring, my insurers always mention it at renewal, even though it was now 2 or 3 years ago.

All incidents are (I think) on the MID database - luckily this has not affected my premium though.

 

[Justintyme]

The problem with insurance ( at least here in Ireland) is that it has morphed from a legal requirement to have sufficient cover to protect you from any action of your's that might cause injury / loss to another person / entity. Which on that basis, is a very sensible plan. Otherwise, if you did not have it, and have the misfortune to injure / disable another person, it's quiet possible that everything of value that you own, could be taken off you. Insurance protect's you in this case.....but now...insurance has become a hard cash income generating business, ultimately for the benefit of Shareholders, and the Medical and Legal Profession's. As it's a legal requirement...insurance providers have free rein to do as they please when it come's to pricing. In Ireland, the Insurance Company's blame the high awards given out by the Courts, as justification for any premium increases, but when they were interviewed by the PAC ( Irish Public Accounts Committee) when asked how much was taken in premiums, and how much was paid out in Claims, they refused, claiming business confidentiality / privilege. So the merry go round, travels on. but maybe there is a ray of light appearing on the horizon...faced with un sustainable increases in insurance costs, many business's are closing down, throwing people out of work. Sporting event's are being cancelled etc.It is a cancer, destroying the very fabric of public life here. So finally...the govt has started to act, but the question is, when, and what will they do?

 

[Petrol Pete]

^^^ I agree, It is a legal requirement to wear an approved crash helmet when riding a motorcycle on public roads in the UK. You have the choice to buy a cheap legal crash helmet (£40) or an expensive customised one (£ add any figure you like here) , But you have that CHOICE. With the legal requirement of car/bike insurance you do not have a choice, you have the choice to 'shop around' but ultimately 'they' will charge you whatever the want to charge you and you have no choice. Pay up or drive illegally.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

Those who don't fit criteria subsidise us that do.

 

[E53AMG]

^^^ I agree, It is a legal requirement to wear an approved crash helmet when riding a motorcycle on public roads in the UK. You have the choice to buy a cheap legal crash helmet (£40) or an expensive customised one (£ add any figure you like here) , But you have that CHOICE. With the legal requirement of car/bike insurance you do not have a choice, you have the choice to 'shop around' but ultimately 'they' will charge you whatever the want to charge you and you have no choice. Pay up or drive illegally.

You do have the option to self insure if you have spare £500,000 to deposit with the Accountant General Office at the High Court.....

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[Petrol Pete]

You do have the option to self insure if you have spare £500,000 to deposit with the Accountant General Office at the High Court.....

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I have heard of this , but £500,000 seems quite a small sum these days. I would say if you are wealthy enough and own a bunch of super cars half a Mil is a bit of a bargain.

 

[whitenemesis]

It only applies if the car is being driven by the owner
Road Traffic Act 1988
So, presumably if one employs a chauffeur, one must have insurance?

 

[E53AMG]

I have heard of this , but £500,000 seems quite a small sum these days. I would say if you are wealthy enough and own a bunch of super cars half a Mil is a bit of a bargain.

Some large fleets use it too, avoids insurance tax but for the vast majority the interest lost on £500,000 would exceed their insurance premiums!

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[E53AMG]

It only applies if the car is being driven by the owner
Road Traffic Act 1988
So, presumably if one employs a chauffeur, one must have insurance?

I think it covers a vehicle owned or being driven with the owners consent who has deposited the sum so chauffeur or your mates all ok to drive.

This would cover your 17 year old on a provisional driving your Bugatti [emoji6]

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[markjay]

I think that the idea is that if you have half a million pounds in cash, you probably have sufficient assests overall to cover most claims.

 

[Justintyme]

I think that the idea is that if you have half a million pounds in cash, you probably have sufficient assests overall to cover most claims.

The way the insurance "Business" is going Mark, I would not take any bets on half a million being enough.....

 

[E55BOF]

I agree expected DL to chase the repairs through in the circumstances or at least call me/the garage to see how things were progressing or at least to get an ETA but they didn't. In fact if I decided I liked the XJ as a replacement I reckon I could have kept it at their expense indefinitely as I just completely slipped off their radar!!Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

So basically, you took advantage of their inaction and turned a £360 repair into a £7k claim? I'm not sure I'd boast about that if it were me...

 

[E53AMG]

So basically, you took advantage of their inaction and turned a £360 repair into a £7k claim? I'm not sure I'd boast about that if it were me...

Well insurers have been taking advantage of myself and others for years by increasing premiums well beyond inflation without any cause, reason or claim being made simply because they have can having a captive market due to government legislation, the way I see it I was redressing this by legally taking advantage of their own sheer incompetence.

If they did not have this licence to print money and were forced to run their business efficiently like other businesses this could/would never have occurred so morally I have absolutely no issue at all.





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[E55BOF]

They do not print money, though; their money comes from their customers. The higher the claims they pay out, the more money they take from their customers. As one of those customers, I don't see you are redressing this in any way by taking some of my money...